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Students Arriving June -
July 2009
Here
are just a
few of the students arriving in Australia in
June - July 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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Luiza from Brazil will be
arriving in Australia in July 2009 and staying for
10 months. She describes herself as cheerful, friendly,
calm and organised. In Brazil, Luiza enjoys reading,
listening to music and being with her friends. While
in Australia, she would love to try surfing. Luiza
is looking forward to hearing from her host family
soon. |
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Alexandre from France absolutely
loves Rugby and is hoping to play for his school
during his 10 month exchange. His parents describe
him as easy to live with, very smiley and always
very polite. He is an active person, as evident by
his interests in swimming, golf, tennis, judo and
fishing. Alexandre also enjoys country music and
has taught himself to play the guitar. |
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Valentin from France
is looking for a host family in Western Australia
who would like to host him for 3 months. His interests
include soccer, swimming, reading, listening to classical
music and watching movies. However history and debating
are his passions and he hopes to be a lawyer in the
future.
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Martina
from Italy is participating on a 5 month exchange
program and arrives in July. Her interests include
swimming, diving and sailing, as well as going out
with her friends to the movies, shopping and listening
to music. She is eagerly awaiting news of her host
family and is excited about the opportunity to be
a teenager in Australia.
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Anne-Sophie from Demark is
looking forward to spending 10 months in Australia,
where she hopes to pursue singing and gymnastics. Anne-Sophie
decided to spend a year abroad because she wanted
to experience living in another culture, living with
an Australian family, make new friends and of course
improve her English. She is excited about meeting
her new Australian family soon. |
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Keno is 15 years old and lives
in the north of Germany. He would like a host family
that lives in Brisbane or on the QLD coast so he
can continue windsurfing while on exchange. As well
as windsurfing, Keno also plays hockey and enjoys
jogging. He is looking forward to making new friends
who can teach him about Australia, while he shares
some of his German culture with them too. Keno tells
us that he is counting the days until his departure! |
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Lisa is 17 years old and will
be coming to Western Australia, from France, on June
6th. Lisa is only staying for 3 short months, and
in that time she hopes to discover a different culture
and improve her English. Lisa loves to dance, and
has been dancing for 12 years. She describes herself
as cheerful and ambitious, and cannot wait to hear
news from her new host family. |
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Ugo is looking forward to spending
his European Summer in
Victoria on a 3 month exchange and is waiting to
be placed with a family. Like most teenagers, Ugo
spends the majority of his time at school. But
in his ‘down time’,
Ugo plays tennis, volleyball
and indoor football, as well as video games and practicing
the guitar. Ugo is keen to improve his English while
he is on exchange. |
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Giulia from Italy will be arriving into Sydney
in July and staying for 3 months. While on exchange
Gulia hopes to play volleyball and tennis, and is
awaiting news about her new host family from New
South Wales. She describes herself as lively and
sunny, but a little bit shy when she first meets
people. Giulia is looking forward to making new
friends in Australia and living in a different country.
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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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Nicola is 17 years old and
comes to us from the USA. She loves being outdoors,
not matter where it is. Nicola is interested in
meeting and getting to know new people, and sharing
her experiences values and culture with them too.
She describes herself as outgoing, fun, caring and
sensitive to others needs. She will be in Australia
for 5 months, arriving in July, and is excited about
getting to know her host family soon. |
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Tui from Brazil is playful
and outgoing. He enjoys playing computer games,
soccer, the guitar and watching television. While
in Australia he would really like to meet a Kangaroo!
He would also like to make good use of his 10 months
in Australia to improve his English and learn about
the Australian culture. Tui would like a host family
who can help him achieve these goals. |
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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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