Blog: I’ll never prejudge a student again…
I have a great relationship with all my homestays. I still keep in touch with them through Facebook, Instagram, WeChat and meals out with the students.
Hosting is a great way to learn other cultures and learn about other country’s customs. The most rewarding thing about becoming a homestay host is getting respected and numerous fiends all over the world and they treat you like their second mum.
I’ve had some memorable experiences as a host…
The current student I have interviewed me for Snapchat. It was whether i like sushi or not. He used a microphone. My response was yukkkk because it tastes like seaweed. Later that day the student informed me his dad had had seen the interview on Snapchat and laughed because he dies not like sushi as well. This student goes to the city just to buy sushi.
I’ll never prejudge a student again…
I was hesitant about taking a student from Saudi Arabia, but I will never prejudge any student again. He was polite, spoke great English, respectful and so helpful. I keep in touch with him, his wife and his two children and he calls me his OZ mum. I was even the first person to find out that he passed the first component of his PHD. I currently have a student from Saudi Arabia although some 15years younger he is also wonderful.
Difficulties… they happen. It’s not the end of the world.
If I have an issue with a student, I just communicate directly with the student however there has not been too many problems. The main problem was with a Chinese boy having breached his Visa. I had him for 10 months. I thought he was going to university everyday however he did not go 80% to university as he was supposed to. I found out about this when he was in China because the student asked me to open his letter via WeChat.
Important thing for international students to understand…
To get the most out of your time here, you should try Australian food – it’s pretty good! Also, homestay is more cost effective than flat sharing as you only have one expense and it covers everything AND you have homestay hosts who are there for you. When exploring Australia, go to other areas outside of our cities – our countryside is beautiful and there is so much to see and do here.
Hosts should know…
The students respect you if you respect them and you must be able to be flexible with nutritional and dietary requirements. The host needs to be interested in the student and their well-being.
