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Students Arriving January
- February 2009 Here
are just a few of the students arriving in Australia
in January or February 2009. They will be here
for programs lasting 2 -10 months. They will
live with a host family and attend a local high
school. They are all eagerly awaiting news of
their Australian host families and schools.
If you think you might be interested to host one of
these students please call our office
on 1300 135 331 (cost of a local call) or fill in the form for
more information. No obligation.
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Lio from Germany will be staying
in Australia for 5 months, and is eagerly awaiting
news of her new host family. Lio is a musical girl,
who plays the saxophone and clarinet and also enjoys
tennis and going out with her friends in her free
time. A friendly and open minded girl, Lio is looking
to become more independent whilst in Australia. |
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Nicolas from Brazil is a sports enthusiast who
would like to have a go at some extreme sports whilst
in Australia including snowboarding, wakeboarding,
and surfing. At home in Brazil Nicolas enjoyed riding
horses on his family’s farm and walking his
dogs. |
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Mattias from Germany is arriving
in January for 5 months and is looking for a family
in Sydney. He enjoys playing sports and computer
games. While in Australia he is looking forward to
learning more about rugby, learning how to surf while
also perfecting his English. |
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Ethan from the USA is arriving in January and
is going to be spending a year in Australia. He is
a keen tennis player, and while in Australia he would
like to see some native Australian wildlife. Ethan
is looking forward to being part of a new family
with whom he can share thoughts and opinions with
whilst also gaining a better understanding of a foreign
culture. |
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Jana from Germany is arriving
in January and is looking for a host family in Brisbane.
Jana had a brief visit to Australia when she was
six and is now looking to get to know and embrace
the Aussie lifestyle and culture. She enjoys shopping,
cooking, playing sports and watching tv in her free
time. |
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Sabine from Germany is an adventurous
and inquisitive girl who likes being outdoors. She
is looking forward to learning about new sports which
she hasn’t seen before and generally understanding
life from a different perspective. Sabine also enjoys
playing tennis and chatting with friends and describes
herself as reliable and autonomous. |
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Victoria from the USA is someone who enjoys having
a laugh. But while she enjoys having fun she isn’t
afraid to chip in around the house and do her share
of housework. Victoria describes herself as outgoing,
intelligent, creative, and inquisitive. She also has
a keen interest in forensic science and the theatre. |
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The
Marsh Family
Christine,
Garry and
their daughter,
Grace,
from the
Hunter
Region
of NSW,
hosted
Charlotte
Busana
from Belgium.
Say
Christine and Garry, "We
were attracted to having
an exchange student for
a number of reasons.
As a family we had travelled
overseas and experienced
other countries’ particular
cultures and we were
keen to reciprocate and
show an exchange student
our Australia. We have
visited many places and
see Australia through
Charlotte's eyes. We
have also been able to
learn about Charlotte's
family, their culture
and her school experiences
in Belgium. Hosting Charlotte
has been a rewarding
experience for us all,
better than we thought
possible. She very quickly
became a part of our
family and we will all
have happy memories for
the rest of our lives."
Having
a Belgian sister is a
new experience for Grace
too. She says, "Being
the youngest and the
only one left at home
I was looking forward
to having another teenager
in the house. While Charlotte
helps me with my French
I help her with her English
lessons and I have taught
her many Aussie words
and sayings. We both
love to shop and shop
and shop..." |
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Ulrike comes from
a small town in Germany and is looking
to experience life in an Australian family.
She enjoys travelling, playing tennis and
she also plays the clarinet in a local
orchestra. She loves being in foreign countries,
meeting new people and is confident that
she will have no problems adapting to life
in Australia. |
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Who can host an exchange
student?
Our host families come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and ages.
Retired couples, single parents with or without children, couples
with primary school children, couples with teenagers and a family
pet…all can apply to become a host family and all can benefit
in many ways from the exchange experience.
Do the students speak
English?
Students have all been tested and speak English well enough to attend
classes at a local school. As with any non-native speaker, there
may be a period at the beginning of the exchange where they need
extra help and patience as they get used to speaking and hearing
English.
How are students selected?
Student Exchange Australia works with partner organisations around
the world with which we have long standing relationships. Every
new student is interviewed, their medical and academic records
are checked and references are always required. Students come from
over 15 countries, are usually aged between 15 and 18 years old
and their natural parents must have the financial means to support
them while on exchange. Each student comes with a passport and
return ticket plus money to cover personal expenses and school
costs.
Why does the program
use volunteers?
Student Exchange Australia is a registered, non-profit student exchange
organisation. Exchange programs like these depend on the good will
of a number of participants. Volunteers help to look after the
students while they are here and provide additional support services.
The combined result is that many more students from around the
world can share in the experience of living and studying in another
culture.
What are our responsibilities
as a host family?
Your basic responsibility is to welcome the student as a member
of your family and to provide the same care and support you would
give to your own children. We ask that you provide a bed and two
to three meals a day. Students assume the normal responsibilities
as a member of your family and are expected to undertake the same
simple chores you would expect your own children to do.
What are the student's
financial responsibilities?
Any school expenses incurred by exchange students are their own
responsibility –school fees, uniforms and all equipment required
by the school. Students are expected to have access to a minimum
of $150 to $200 a month to cover personal expenses and all ongoing
school costs. Students are responsible for the cost of all personal
telephone calls they make and internet charges if applicable.
Where do the students
go to school?
Exchange students will go to the local secondary school in your
area. Our local coordinator will arrange the initial approval after
discussion with your family and then we ask you to assist with
finalising the enrolment details when the student arrives.
Can we select our own
student and how do we choose?
We will provide you with profiles of students which will include
information on their interests and family background, and a ‘letter’written
to you as a prospective host family. This will often give you a
special insight into the student which will help your decision.
You then make a decision based on the students available.
Do the students have
health insurance?
All students have overseas student health insurance cover with the
same benefits to the student as Medicare.
What role does Student
Exchange Australia play?
We provide a local coordinator who will live nearby. Trained by
us, this person provides support to the host family and the student.
Full time staff are available 24 hours a day in case of an emergency.
We arrange transport for the student to the nearest main airport
when they arrive in Australia. We also provide you with handbooks
and other information.
Is it really as good
as you say?
We’re probably biased, but YES! We can have you talk to families
who tell us how their lives changed by participating in student
exchange. Having said that we wouldn’t dare say your semester
or year would be without its problems –after all you are
welcoming a teenager into your home. But we find host families
cope well and help students through any problems they have and
we are here to support you locally and at the national level.
I'm ready to
learn more. What's next?
Please telephone us on 1300 135 331 to request more information.
We’ll send you information on students coming to Australia
and detail on how you can become a host family.
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