I’m writing to reflect on my 8-year experience with my homestay host Melanie Holliman.

I felt cared for, respected and loved by Melanie. She has played a very important part in my life since I moved to Australia. She told me that I have become part of her family, and so has she to me.

Overall, I would recommend homestay to people. It’s a great opportunity to develop a long-lasting relationship and have someone to share your life with.

Full of love, very supportive, they are my second family in Brisbane.

I’ve been living in Australia for 14 months, I already settled here thanks to my host family and people around me.

I couldn’t imagine such a fabulous life in Australia and I didn’t expect that I could meet people who positively support and uplift me with encouragements in Australia when I was in Japan. I really hope to continue these lovely relationships more and I definitely remember the moments / memories with them forever. I love them.

Thank you for placing me in this house and letting me stay with my beautiful host family. I wouldn’t enjoy my life in Australia if I were not with them.

The homestay experience has definitely helped me with my English. The immersive language environment forced me to practise English 24/7 which expanded my vocab rapidly when I first came here.

The homestay experience makes it easier to fit into a new country. Moving to a country that has a very different culture from what you are used to can be scary. Homestay makes the hard transitioning stage much easier to go through with family-like support.

Personally, I love how easy life is to live with a homestay. I am very lucky that I have Melanie in my life and be a part of her family.

I could feel my hosts commitment to help students in their transition to living in Australia. I felt very comfortable and although I still had some limitations with my English, the experience living with them helped me a lot.

Living with them allowed me to make friends with other students too, from different cultural backgrounds. It was nice to experience and learn from them and from my host family. I also had the chance of sharing to them my culture.

They are very kind, friendly, respectful people. I have a lot of memories with them. I love them!!!

From the moment I arrived, it was evident that this family is truly special. They have created a warm and welcoming environment, making me feel like a part of their family from day one. Not only have they provided me with a comfortable living space, but they have gone above and beyond to ensure that I feel at home.

They have taken the time to show me around, introduce me to their culture, and make me feel included in their daily lives. Their support and encouragement have given me the confidence to embrace new experiences and make the most of my time here. I truly believe that the love and care they have shown me is a testament to the incredible individuals they are.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message, and for being a part of my journey.