Parent News from Gillian Coombe

Tue 28 Aug 2007

Hello, my name is Gillian Coombe and my son, Marco De Santi, is currently in Germany with Student Exchange Australia.

I would like to share my ‘exchange’ experience from a mother’s perspective.

Marco is having the time of his life, and it is all due to the wonderful organisation that is Student Exchange Australia.

Marco and I first attended an information session held in our city in July last year (2006). Marco was halfway through grade 12; I thought at last he was mature enough to undertake such a trip; and an ideal time was between college and university.

From the very beginning I was impressed with the structure and support networks in place; and also with the patient and empathetic handling of parents’ and students’ questions and concerns. This support, information, and communication have been ongoing throughout the whole process, starting from initial interest shown by Marco. Even at the initial information session, Marco was actively encouraged to apply for a scholarship, and I am happy to say Marco was successful in securing a language scholarship, worth $3500 towards the cost of the trip.

Student Exchange Australia covered all bases; they have obviously been doing this work for a long time, and have ironed out all the many issues that can arise. I was further impressed by the honesty and candour shown by all staff members. The reciprocal organisation in Germany appears to be similarly well-structured and supportive. The support networks in place both in Germany and Australia for Marco and myself were explained very clearly and carefully to us. From my point of view, this was very important; because as a mum I needed to know Marco would be safe and cared for.

I would also like to congratulate SEA for the methods they employ for student/family matching. In Marco’s case the match could not have been better. He is very lucky to be with a fantastic family, who are loving, caring and very giving. I truly appreciate this, as it is a huge thing to volunteer to open your home and hearts to a stranger, simply on trust and faith.

I know that despite everyone’s best efforts that this arrangement does not always work well; just one of those unpredictable things in life. SEA are well aware of this and have this situation covered also.

The internet makes communication so easy. I am grateful that we have this technology so readily available while Marco is away. I would not like having to depend on occasional telephone calls and letters. Marco’s host mother, Maria, speaks and writes excellent English, so I am very lucky in that she and I email one another regularly.

Marco did have a little down time, around June, but this was handled very well by his host mum, and fortunately it did not last long. We were warned this may happen, so we were well-prepared. This is an example of SEA being completely honest and covering all eventualities.

Marco has met so many people, and from several different countries; he wants to travel further, and already has an invitation to visit Arizona in America, and also Brazil. Currently he is on holidays, and Maria tells me he is choosing to do extra study, because he wants to do really well at the school he is attending. Marco has been speaking fluent German since Easter time, not a bad effort, as he only arrived late January.

Marco has made many friends locally, and spends time with them; often they stay overnight at his host family’s home. One of the other exchange students, Nick, is based in Munich, and he stays regularly; Nick is the same age as Marco’s host brother and they all get along famously. One of Maria’s friends has a 10 year old son, Lucas, and he apparently adores Marco.

Marco has also made a positive impression on the school; they previously had a rather negative student exchange experience, but Marco has managed to turn that around.

As you can probably tell, I am very proud of my son. He is soaking up all the experiences and has even developed a previously non-existent interest in history and architecture!

This has all been possible because of the wonderful SEA people and their vision and work in co-ordination and co-operation with other like-minded countries. Thank you all very much.

Gillian Coombe