What Have Others Said?

March 2008

I can't believe I've been here two months! Things are going really well here ... I've performed in a choir concert, a track meet, and gone and watched a Holocaust survivor talk. I also joined the journalism club. In other words, I've been quite busy. My host family are great, they're very down to earth and my host siblings are a lot of fun. I've made some good friends at school too; the kids there are all very friendly. I'm having a really good time; I haven't even really been homesick. I'm actually going to Anaheim on a choir trip; we leave tomorrow morning. I get to spend a day at Disneyland (!!) and go to Santa Monica pier, along with a couple of other places. Thank you for everything!"

Fiona Reed from QLD is on a Year Exchange Program to the USA.

February 2008

"I'm having a great time here. I love Chartres, especially the centre with all the old stone buildings with shutters, the narrow paved streets, and the beautiful Cathedral. I was all prepared for the 'culture shock' stuff we were told about, but I haven't had any problems adapting. I can't believe how quickly 4 months have gone - I'm only here for another month now. I miss my friends and family in Australia and it'll be great to see them again, but it'll also be sad to leave everyone here behind. I'll definitely have to come back to visit!

Karen Heyer, from Karabar High School in NSW, wrote this just prior to her return home from ourr semester program to France.

January 2008

"...my trip is coming to and end ... my time here has passed ridiculously quickly. But I'm so glad I came, I've learnt so much and had so many amazing experiences that I'll be ever grateful."

Maja Gorniak, from St Columbas College in VIC, participated on our Summer Explorer program to France.

December 2007

I found the first couple of weeks really difficult with homesickness, but once that passed, I really haven't had that much since - which is a very very good thing, because it is better to think about getting into your overseas life than dwelling on the one back home, which will always be there anyway!

I really love the Italian culture - just the lifestyle is great, the way the days run - go out in the morning to school and work, come home for lunch, go back to work after a sleep, and if it is Saturday, go out and enjoy!

I've met so many great people, and this is definitely one of the best experiences of my life!

Pia Salvatore from VIC won a Language Scholarship toward her semester in Italy.

November 2007

... As we were sitting here in Australia constantly wondering how she was, Phoebe was in France not really reciprocating the “wondering”. In fact, now we have discussed this with her since she has returned, she is somewhat amazed that we spent so much time missing her – she just got on with the exchange!

All up, from our parental perspective, the exchange has been a huge success. Our hope before the exchange was that Phoebe would return with lots of great memories, have an even more glowing view of France than she had before she left, have made many (potentially lifelong) friends, and be reasonably fluent in the language. All these have been realised, and more!

... Looking back, everything that Student Exchange Australia said about the exchange experience was true. There would be the occasional rough patches, but these would be immeasurably outweighed by all the good times; parents will probably worry more than they should; the supports are in place through both the domestic and foreign exchange organisations; and you get out of the exchange what you put into it.

While we do admit that the ten months seemed to go for eternity (especially the first five months), we nonetheless would wholeheartedly recommend that students (and their parents) strongly consider going on an exchange. It may well not be for everyone, but for many it will be an experience that will have lifelong benefits.

In closing, we would like to thank Student Exchange Australia (particularly the ever helpful and positive Melissa Moore) for making it all possible.

Mark and Debra Tyszkiewicz - parents of Phoebe from QLD - who spent a year in France.

October 2007

An exchange to France- a few pointless words but to some, but to others, it can be a life-changing phrase. If there is one thing that I will never doubt in my life, it is that I made the right decision to go on an exchange to France. France is like the stereotypes - a country of love and passion. From the beginning it has been a fairytale, although a fairytale of an average person, experiencing amazing things.

By learning a new language, not only have I discovered the culture in France, but I also have met some really interesting people. For me, learning French means that I have 65 million more people I can talk to and share my life with (and that is just French population alone!) Learning a foreign language is so much fun. It’s a great chance to get to know ourselves better.

For me, this year would definitely be the greatest year of my life. OF COURSE it has been hard sometimes, not just on me but it has also been hard on my natural family. Life isn’t always perfect! “An exchange will be the best and hardest year of your life”. I heard this expression a million times before I went on my exchange. This is so true except, the hard parts last for minutes and the best parts last for months. An exchange is truly the best opportunity of a lifetime. Make the most of it.

Phoebe Tyszkiewicz, from Moreton Bay College in QLD, won a Student Exchange Australia Language Scholarship to France

September 2007

My exchange is going very well. My host family is amazing. I loved Paris because I met sooo many other kids from around the world.

Tom Alagna from St Ignatius College in NSW who went to France on our Semester Program.

August 2007

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

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.

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.

... 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's son, Marco De Santi, went to Germany with Student Exchange Australia.

July 2007

Everything here is going really great. My host family is lovely and they have made me feel very at home in their family. During the last 5 months we have made many holidays together, which have all been fun. This weekend we will drive to Brussels and so I am excited to have a look around Belguim...

School has been a interesting experience. I am in a class with 24 girls and 2 boys, which was strange at first but I have made lots of friends. Everyone is eager to learn about Australia and teach me about Germany. Often the lessons are too difficult for me to follow and so I have really concentrated on learning German in this time....and hope I am improving!

I have really enjoyed my exchange here in Germany and hope I can keep these experiences with me for life.

Melanie Kempton from Trinity Anglican School in QLD went to Germany on our semester program.

May 2007

I have been in Spain now for almost 3 months and am loving the experience. I have learnt so much from it. The family I am staying with is extremely nice and have made me feel a part of the family. We do a lot of things together which is very good ... School is going well. I have made some great friends and am enjoying all my subjects and even attempting a couple of tests writing in Spanish which is a little difficult but is fun. So, I am really enjoying this exchange and looking forward to my 3 months summer holidays!

Jaydene Elvin, from St Mary's Senior High School in NSW, went on our Long Program to Spain.

April 2007

It has been extremely difficult, challenging, eye-opening, entertaining and I will never regret anything I have done. What an amazing experience, and what a fantastic opportunity to live with a fantastic family in an incredible culture!

Caitlin Scarr from The Glennie School in QLD went on our semester program to France.

March 2007

It's now been six weeks that I've been here and I am really enjoying it - I mean I miss you all terribly but not enough to not enjoy myself which is good, I think. Six weeks seems like a hell of a long time and I do feel like I've been here my whole life but at the same time it feels like only yesterday that I was saying goodbye to everyone and boarding the plane. I can't yet decide which one so I will just agree that it's been both a short and extremely long time that I've been here!

Elizabeth Forrest, from University High School in VIC, went to France on our Semester Program.

February 2007

...time has just flown! One week of school holidays has just finished and it is nice to be back at school (I never thought I would say that) and to see all my new friends... (At one art gallery) I went in by myself and saw an Andy Warhol exhibition and this other guy who I liked better. Also I just walked around the building because it was pretty amazing itself. A few times when I was just walking around, I had to stop and say to myself 'Jees Jerem, you are in Vienna! Vienna Austria! Wow!'

I had a German dream the other night where I was doing usual sort of stuff - chatting to people in the street, ordering coffee, doing the grocery shopping (what a lame dream) - and I was completely fluent in German!

Jeremy Moesker from Boonah State High School in QLD wrote to us from Austria.

January 2007

During the past 4 months I think I was only homesick for the first week, around Christmas and my birthday. I wasn't as homesick as I thought I would be coz I was having WAY too much fun.

My Spanish has improved more than I expected or hoped for, and I love speaking and understanding another language. I'm definitely coming back to Spain one day. Thanks for everything!

Rhiannon Rennie from Lyndale Secondary College in VIC, participated on our semester program to Spain.

December 2006

I will never forget my exchange to France. People keep asking me what was the highlight of my trip and I honestly don’t know. I have so many great memories to choose from, like going skiing for the first time, millions of funny conversations that resemble games of charades, going out with my friends or the day I got 18 out of 20 on my math test! All the wonderful places I visited like the Pyrenees, Paris, Versailles, Barcelona and Portugal, I made so many new friends from all over the world and my host families were fantastic. It was awesome and I am so glad I did it.

Jackie Harbison from Casuarina Secondary College in The Northern Territory spent her year in France.

November 2006

I am currently a host mum to a boy, Oliver, from Germany and wanted to share some experiences of hosting a student from another country.

I am a single mum. Yes, you read correctly - a single mum with four children. Well, five now (laughing out loud) because Oliver has joined the family. I don't work so you see student exchange isn't just for working people. It's for anyone willing to open there heart and home so a child can experience the beauty of our country...

If anyone is considering hosting just know that we highly recommend it. It has been one of the best experiences of our lives and we will do it again sometime in the near future. Learning about Oliver and his family and culture and his language has been really amazing. We can even speak a little German now!

Susan Rollings and her children Jessica, Chloe, Karsha and Nathan, hosted Oliver from Germany.

August 2006

It's hard to believe I’m back... and now I’ve been back at school for a month and it's like I never left, although I’ll never forget the amazing things I did and the lovely people I met. I learnt so much about people, different cultures and myself while I was over there.
It really was the experience of a life time, I’m so glad I did it. So thanks so much for everything!

Edwina Carnell, from Trinity Christian School in the ACT, spent a semester program in Spain.

July 2006

The most important advice I can give is that everything in another country is different: nothing is better or worse, but everything is different, and it’s important to be open to new ways of doing things. That, and to listen when your host mum tells you to wear a warm jacket and scarf – from experience, spending a week sick in bed because you didn’t is not a pleasant experience!

I thoroughly enjoyed my Exchange and learnt a lot from it – not just language skills, but people skills and also learnt a lot about myself and my life back home. It was an experience that will stay with me for life!

Katie Simmonds, from Loretto Kirribilli, NSW, spent summer in France on our Summer Explorer Program.

June 2006

Thanks so much to Student Exchange Australia for putting me with my family they've been really great (perhaps a little too good with the cooking! but if you're going to go on exchange don't bother trying to diet while here its impossible... especially here where the staple food is pasta pizza and gelato) and I'm having the best experience here. Not looking forward to the end of exchange but definitely looking forward to a summer in Europe.

Mathilda South, from the Conservatorium High School in NSW, spent a semester in Italy.

May 2006

I selected Brazil expecting to have a great time for the first couple of weeks and make some new friends and I then expected things to settle down into ordinary life, but that hasn't happened yet.

Every day I meet somebody new and they are always friendly. Lucky for me Brazilian people seem to really like Australians, and every weekend a friend at school is having a party for no reason other then to be social and have fun.

Keith McCann from Mount Lawley Senior High School chose Brazil for this 11 month program.

April 2006

Can't believe that two months have gone and I haven't let you know how thrilled I am with the home stay you and your partners have provided for Oscar. He loves everything; his family, his friends, his school, his teachers (Italian teachers don't shout!), and he wakes up everyday still in awe of the beautiful surroundings he lives in. The house is full of people (the grandmother lives on one side and the uncle and his family are on the other), Oscar is experiencing wonderful Italian food (and home-fermented wine!... and coco pops for breakfast!) and the grandmother is trying to find a coffee that he likes (she is unable to understand how a boy could reach his age and not drink coffee).
Probably like a lot of parents, as the time grew closer I worried that it might not be the best thing for him to go, at least not for such a long time, but now I am experiencing (through long animated telephone conversations and joyful emails) just what a great educational and life embracing and absolutely positive opportunity this is

Ailee's son Oscar, from The Gap State High School in QLD, participated on our academic year program to Italy.

March 2006

I've been living here in Paderborn (north-west Germany) for a month and a half now, and I'm absolutely loving my life here! My host family is fantastic - they have made me feel at home since my first day here and are always helpful and explaining things I don't understand.

My German is getting really good! I'm learning new words every day - there are so many things that they don't teach you at school! Speaking German is not a challenge any more, it comes so naturally to me now... sometimes I catch myself thinking in German too, which is always a good sign!

Angela Hsiung, from Abbostleigh School in NSW, won one of Student Exchange Australia's Language Scholarships to Germany.

January 2006

I had a fantastic experience. Although I went to England, I spent the majority of my time with Pakistanis and Indians. I learned a lot about numerous cultures and made the most of my opportunities. My first night in Bradford I went to an Asian wedding. It was new, loud, bright and colourful. That pretty much describes my whole experience in the UK. I loved every minute of it and don't regret anything I said or did while I was over there. I've made family for life and it was trully the experience of a lifetime. Thanks for helping me to make it happen.

Hannah Woolff - International Affairs Scholarship winner went to the UK on our semester program.

November 2005

I just love being so far out of my comfort zone. Anybody who does not do an exchange is so definitely missing out.

Alexandra Myler from NSW spent a semester in Italy.

October 2005

It is just magical! Italy and this whole experience has taught me so much and i feel like a much older person. It is really the best thing I have done and sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm here and that I actually did it! I really still can't believe that I'm living in Italy. Europe is just the best!

Ruth Crowe - from NSW, spent a year in Italy.

July 2005

Well Jack is home and settled in now; and I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you and all the Student Exchange staff who helped along the way.

Jack rated his experience "ten out of ten", which is fantastic. He received great support whilst in Brazil and I certainly received the same here from you all.

Thank you so much for your help in giving Jack a life defining experience... If only every organisation I dealt with was as responsive! I'd recommend you to anyone considering using your services (and happy to be a referee at any time).

Louise O'Connell (parent of Jack O’Connell) who spent a semester in Brazil.

December 2004

My advice to you would be take every opportunity, embrace the culture and have a ball making new lifelong connections and improving your language skills, and remember, home is just a plane-trip away. My exchange was fantastic, there are no words, which could ever describe the time I had on exchange, however I'll attempt to capture the experience in just three- phenomenal, inspiring and old-fashioned-FUN!"

Arunima Lal, from Turramurra, NSW was a short program student to Germany.

August 2004

Just thought I'd update you on David's progress. He is currently on his summer vacation and has just had a week with his family by the sea on the north coast of Germany. He is really enjoying the summer, it is warm, but the sun is very gentle compared to the Australian sun. His host sister has also just returned to Germany after six months in New Zealand and he is really enjoying having someone closer to his age in his household. We also spent two weeks with his host sister here as I thought it was a great opportunity for her to visit Australia given that she was so close. We did lots of 'Australian' things and she (Wiebke) also met all David's extended family and he really appreciated that connection to home.

He is going OK at school (he wasn't that enamoured of school in Australia - and I think that's about the same there). He is very fluent in German and can comfortably watch television there. He will be exploring options of working in a German-speaking job when he goes to uni in Canberra next year.

I am also very conscious of giving him plenty of space to learn and grow from this experience without his mother interfering. He is learning and growing and enjoying the experience and that was our goal.

Excerpt from an e-mail to Student Exchange Australia from Catherine Cusack, mother of David Nuthall who went to Germany with Student Exchange Australia.

June 2004

Emails from the host family since, tell us Anna and they really enjoyed the visit and Anna has been fine with no apparent ill effect or homesickness. Mind you, she is so flat out and busy that there has been no time for that. She has spent some time in Copenhagen on exchange activities and has then stayed with a fellow exchange student before returning home for a huge family party this weekend. It seems the Danes are always partying!

Excerpt from a newsy e-mail to Student Exchange Australia from Maureen Wallis, mother of Anna who went to Denmark with Student Exchange Australia.

March 2004

Everything that was promised was followed through with. If a letter or fax or phone call was promised to be made, it was made. Phone calls came in, checking that we had received the latest package or piece of material. An interview was arranged, at our convenience (which is no small feat in a household with 2 working parents and 3 active children, considering schedules!) and was followed up with more phone calls. … I have spoken to many people since Amy has gone to the US, about her travelling, and often they express an interest in their own child/children experiencing an overseas exchange programme. I have no hesitation in recommending your organisation every time.

Excerpt from a 'thank you letter' to Student Exchange Australia from Sue English, mother of Amy who went to the USA with Student Exchange Australia.

Saul has recently returned from a wonderful experience in Japan. We were also lucky enough to have met his host father, in Australia, a few weeks ago. All Student Exchange Australia arrangements were reliable and efficient... Saul has learned a great deal from his time away. Language being only a small part of this. We would have no hesitation in recommending the program to others.

Excerpt from a 'thank you letter' from Dr Anthony Felber whose son, Saul, went to Japan on a short program.

February 2004

I must write to you and thank you for all your assistance with Tess's trip. She is now home and has had the most wonderful experience, with the terrific Weser family. At every stage, before, during and after the trip I have been refreshed and grateful with the manner that all your staff have employed. You have all been courteous, prompt, efficient and friendly. The result of all this has been a much smoother trip with help at every turn. In particular, when Tessa broke some bones and needed special assistance, you have been both very supportive and most professional. I am extremely glad we chose Student Exchange Australia for this significant journey in Tessa's life.

Excerpt from a 'thank you letter' to Student Exchange Australia from Victoria Graham Mother of Tess Cox, Semester program student to Germany.

October 2003

Living in France with a French family, going to school in France, going to the cinema with French friends, shopping and buying clothes all in French, visiting places you have only read about or seen in pictures or on television or heard your French teacher 'rave' on about, these are just some of the experiences an exchange student will have. The most obvious benefit to the student is the language acquisition. Back in the Australian classroom their competence in all facets of French study has improved remarkably. However they have also come back with a wealth of understanding of what it is to live in a different culture where people think differently and have different priorities. And they start to form an appreciation of what it is like for a foreigner to be living in Australia. They have returned a more mature person who can reason better and see two sides to every story and this has ramifications right across their school life as well as their personal life. In most cases they want to return, to relive the thrill of discovering new places, meeting new people, making new friends, learning new things and improving their French. It has whetted their appetite for travel, a bug that will linger with them for probably a few decades. But what is travel if not the greatest educator of all!

Julia Trenchard-Smith Language Teacher, Mac Robertson Girls' High School, Victoria.

December 2003

'I guess it's a reflection of how much I enjoyed my high school exchange to Japan that I want to go on exchange again! This time will, of course, be different. I just wanted to let you know that my first exchange experience has encouraged me to take up the opportunity of going on exchange again.'

Julia Madden Japan, Year program student to Japan who has since taken up a university exchange.

This wonderful experience has broadened Will's entire perspective on life which shows in his quality of performance at work. It has developed Will into a mature, professional and open-minded employee who strives to constantly learn and undertake new challenges.

Graduate & Cadet Manager, OCTC - Australian Taxation Office, about William Randall who went to France on our year program.

November 2003

Sue Clarke and her daughter Amy from Orange, NSW have had a fantastic experience with their host daughter, Tiffany, from France:

What motivated you and your family to volunteer to host?

It was Amy's idea to become a host family ourselves and after some thought I agreed. Amy had been interested in knowing more about exchange programs and when an opportunity came up to become a coordinator nearly two years ago I jumped at the chance so that we could learn more first hand. We thought that 6 months would be quite long enough but now that the time for Tiffany to leave is getting closer we wish she could stay longer. Tiffany has become a member of our family, a second daughter and a sister, and we love having her with us.

Did you have any reservations?

Amy was very excited once we had made the decision to take on our student but I did have a few reservations. I was concerned about the reaction that a student and her family might have about having a single parent host family. Also, my working full time means that our day to day lives are very busy and I was concerned that it may be difficult to spend enough time with our new family member. Because Amy is an only child, I did wonder how I would cope if our student and Amy did not get on or had totally different interests. Silly me! None of my concerns have caused a major problem. Life is still busy, and I am still a single parent but our student has fitted right in and copes with our family life as if she has been with us for ever.

Any major challenges or difficulties?

There really haven't been many. I think my role as coordinator had provided me with a good understanding of what to expect. Ensuring that I had some support systems in place was important. Planning ahead was the key I believe. For Tiff, the biggest challenge has been getting used to school because the system is so different here.

What benefits have you gained from hosting? Tell us about the good stuff!

The benefits...where do I begin? I am sure every host family would talk about the benefits of exposure to another culture but we did not realise how much we would enjoy sharing our lives with an overseas student. The benefits have not just been for Amy and me, but for everyone around us. Amy is an only child so the obvious benefit for her has been that she has enjoyed having a sister at last and they have become very close. They talk about visiting one another in the future and Tiff has indicated that she wants to come back to Australia to live for a while. Tiff's father has even invited Amy to come and work with him in France for several months. It seems that our relationship with Tiff will not end when her stay with us is over and I look forward to meeting her parents at some time and visiting her home in France. I think she will always be part of our family now.

Back to the top?

Congratulations to Selena Saykao on her winning entry in our 2003 photo competition. Selena spent a year in France in 2002.