Arriving In Australia

Settling in and setting up…

Settling into a new country can be very daunting if you’ve never been before so we’ve put together a few tips:

• Take a selfie with your host when you arrive – it’ll help you remember their face in a crowd, in the first few days you’re here.
• Our hosts are here to help you settle into your new life. Don’t be afraid to ask for them help while you get yourself sorted. They can help you organise a phone and transport card, a bank account, and show you how to get to and from school on for the first time.
• Always follow the house rules set by your hosts, stay in regular contact, and let them know if you won’t be home for dinner or if you’ll be late. Regular contact with your host keeps everyone happy.
• Be sure to research which bank and account is right for your needs. There are some websites that help you to compare student accounts and fees, ensure you read all the information provided, such as whether a particular bank is paying to be listed higher up the list than some of the others!
• Discover your city! It’s so important to get out and about, by yourself, with your hosts, or with your friends. Our Discover Australia blog is a great place to start.
• Make use of the Student Support Services are available to you,  if you need some help.
• Remember, it’s normal to feel a little homesick when you’re new to another country. See our 12 Tips for Dealing with Homesickness blog if you’re feeling a little isolated.
• To work in Australia your visa must allow you to do so. There are limits to how many hours you can work during a semester. You can visit the gov.au website for information regarding your rights as an international student.  If you need help translating, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50.

Language…

The best way to learn English is to practise, practise, practise! That’s why Homestay is the perfect option for newcomers, rather than being in a house full of other international students, speaking your own language, you’re practising English everyday with your host family. Our top tips:

• Engage in conversation with your hosts at dinnertime.
• Ask your hosts to turn the English subtitles on while you watch TV together.
• Read recipes together while you help cook the family meals.
• Offer to read your homestay siblings their bedtime story.
• Download an app to help you with English – our 10 Useful Apps for Students in Australia has all the details!
• Listen to English podcasts while you travel to school everyday, it doesn’t matter if you have to rewind many times until you understand!
• Always use the check out’s with operators, rather than self-service – you can engage in everyday conversations with them.
• Say hello, and ask one question to everyone you meet, bus drivers, library assistants, teachers, classmates, the list goes on!
• Learn Aussie slang, this will help with your everyday conversations and understanding Aussies – see our Aussie Slang Guide.

Safety and wellbeing…

It’s very important to stay safe while you’re here in Australia.

• Save your host contact details in your phone so you can stay in regular contact with your host.
• Emergency contact information should also be saved in your phone. 000 is the number to call in Australia to reach police, ambulance or fire services if you are in trouble.
• The beach can be very unpredictable, especially if you haven’t been very often in your own country. Read our Beach Safety information to get familiar with our beaches.
• Taking “Me Time” is very important for your wellbeing while you’re studying. For ways to improve your mental wellbeing, visit Your Mental Wellbeing, a Queensland Government initiative.
• You can watch our Orientation Video, Work, Safety and Travel Tips, or Bullying and Culture Shock for more details.

• Watch this safety video. Created by NSW Police, it offers advice on various topics to do with the law and safety in NSW, but is general and thus applicable to all of Australia. For other languages click here.

And remember, we are here to help you 24/7 – if you have any questions, concerns, or just need some life advice, contact your local AHN office on 1300 024 628 or by email info@homestaynetwork.org

We’re also avaliable to help via Social Media; Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.