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Students Arriving June - July
2010
Here are just a
few of the students arriving in Australia in
June - July 2010. 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
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 (in Australia) or 0800
440 079 (in New Zealand)
or fill in the form for more information. No obligation.
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Host Family Videos
Listen to what some of our past host families
have said about having a student
in their home as part of a Student Exchange
program. |
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The
Marsh Family
Christine,
Garry and their daughter, Grace, from the Hunter Region of NSW, hosted 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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Emil comes from Denmark and will be 15 when
he arrives in Australia. He lives on a farm outside a small
town in Denmark and describes himself as a happy and outgoing
guy. He regularly helps his family out in the house and outside
with the pigs and is looking forward to helping out his host
family when he arrives. Emil is always curious to learn new
things and is very much looking forward to learning about the
Australian culture with his family. |
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Leoni comes from Germany, is 16 and has two
older brothers back home. She enjoys playing the bassoon, dancing
and a range of sports including horse riding, snowboarding and
European handball. She loves animals and is also looking forward
to discovering some new Aussie sports during her time here.
Leoni has wanted to come to Australia ever since she got a toy
kangaroo as a present from her parents as a child. |
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Geoffrey comes from a town north of Paris in
France and will be 16 when he arrives in Australia. He considers
himself to be rather athletic and loves to play tennis and go
skiing while he also enjoys water-sports in summer. Geoffrey
has a close bond with his family and friends back home and he
is looking forward to meeting a whole new group of friends in
Australia. He also likes to play the guitar and would like to
learn to surf whilst on exchange. |
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Louise will be 16 when she arrives in Australia
and comes from Copenhagen in Denmark. She describes
herself as a friendly, honest and ambitious
person who is also a bit extraverted. She enjoys
travelling, playing volleyball and is also
quite creative – she
has illustrated a children’s
book. Louise considers herself to be easy to
get along with and has travelled extensively
across Europe with her family and has also
visited Australia when she was younger. |
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Tim comes from Holland and will be 17 when he
arrives in Australia. He hopes to improve his English whilst
in Australia and to also learn how to play cricket. He describes
himself as a creative, spontaneous, independent and social person.
His interests include hockey, golf and hanging out with friends.
When Tim finishes school he plans to study business economics
at a major university in Holland. |
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Laura is an open-minded person and comes from
a town in the west of Germany. She will be 16 when she arrives
in Australia. Her favourite subjects at school are English and
biology and she is looking forward to discovering life as an
Aussie high school student. She is also a member of the school
orchestra, having played the viola for 6 years. Some of her
household chores include helping with the cooking and taking
her dog for a walk. |
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Sofie will be 16 when she arrives and comes
from Denmark. Sofie’s hobbies include dancing and singing
and she also likes being outdoors and playing with animals.
She enjoys an active and healthy lifestyle and likes to go jogging
to keep fit. Sofie is very excited about coming to the other
side of the world to live in Australia and she is looking forward
to having an Aussie Christmas with her host family during the
summertime. |
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?
We work 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?
We are 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 do
we 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. 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 (in Australia) or 0800
440 079 (in New Zealand) to request more information.
We’ll send you details on students who will be coming
to Australia and New Zealand soon and as well as information
on how you can become a host family.

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