Blog: Our AHN story
Our students have told us that they enjoy the more friendly, secure lifestyle of staying in homestay compared to small confined units that they would be in if they’d decided to stay in on campus accommodation or typical student accommodation. They have learnt is it much better to be open to new style of living in Australia and love visiting parks and gardens and gold coast while living in Brisbane and the milder weather we experience.
We have learnt more about China and their hometowns and how different cultures function. Hosting can be a very enjoyable experience, and communication is the key to success. We have been able to assist with varied emotional experiences helping our girls adapt to life in Australia.
Amber was a very shy 17year old when she arrived, she didn’t have much confidence in speaking English, but we have been able to help her speak more regularly and join in conversations over dinner table. Amber will study IES until end of this year before deciding on her university course. She has told us that her parents are very happy for her to stay in comfortable, safe, secure homestay instead of a cold small unit apartment.
It is a big change in culture that all students experience, and we enjoy learning about their home towns. We have had a lot of fun times talking with students and we have learned a lot about other countries.
Like most living arrangements, there have been some teething issues, but they normally are solved quickly and easily and with not much fuss. It is mostly small things that are easily discussed like late sleeping times, leaving windows open at night (and letting bugs in), talking on their phone later at night. Small issues like this are likely to crop up with most young adults, so we just treat them the same – we let them know that if they want their window open, that’s ok – but they’ll have to share their bed with insects… and vacuum their bedroom more often. For late phone calls, we normally just explain what time we go to bed and our work schedule and that is typically enough to make them understand they need to be a little quieter. Communication is key – just treat them like the teenagers or young adults that they are and they will normally be happy to adapt. It will also show them that you respect them as people enough to raise concerns with them. Most people just want a happy life, but if there are any strange issues and you need to move a student out of homestay, don’t take it personally as we are all different and it happens sometimes.
I believe by staying in homestay instead of just room or in on campus accommodation, students feel more comfortable and safe and they know that there is someone around to help – even answer a question or give them advice.
We would recommend homestay to other people who want them to be involved in daily life and by learning about students home life expands our ideas and thoughts about all getting along together.
