We welcome our overseas students joining us in Homestay. We understand that living away from home is an exciting opportunity to develop into a young adult, but we also recognise that living away from family and friends can be challenging.
Living in an Australian Homestay is a valuable opportunity for you to experience Australia’s fantastic lifestyle and practise your English language skills in a safe, caring and supportive home environment. During your stay with your Homestay, you will be treated as a member of the family. In return, they expect you to show your respect, courtesy and consideration.
Some families are from the school community, and some may have children at the school you will attend. Australian families differ from each other in many ways.
Australia is a multicultural country that is home to people from many different ethnic backgrounds. People can choose to practise any faith, for example, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism.
The size and structure of an Australian family varies. There are families of two parents with children, couples with no children, one-parent families, and families with elderly parents or other adults living with them. There are also ‘blended’ families, meaning that the parents have children living with them from their previous marriages or relationships.
In many families in Australia, both parents work full time, so children of the family may be quite independent. Australian families do not normally employ household staff, although they may hire a person to occasionally visit and clean or look after the garden. Usually every family member (including you) is encouraged to help with jobs in the home, like assisting other family members with cleaning, cooking, shopping and tidying.
Family activities and the possessions found inside Homestay homes will differ from household to household. Do not compare your Homestay with those of other students. Enjoy your Homestay experience and the unique qualities of your Homestay family.