Hosting a student from abroad can be a rewarding experience both culturally and financially. Cheryl Williams shares her experiences with Tribe as a Homestay Host...
Paul, Cheryl, Ajay & Molly.
Why did you decide to become a Homestay Host?
I have travelled to many countries and love to learn about other cultures, languages and meeting new people. I also love all kinds of foods from around the world.
Have always been a gypsy myself, having spent a lot of time travelling, so now that I have a child it is wonderful having people from all over the world coming to share our home with us.
How long have you been a Homestay Host?
On and off for about 20 years.
What do you like about it?
Showing off our amazing city and surrounds. Hearing about their lives adventures, families and goals.
What are the benefits?
Meeting new people and helping them enjoy our city. Having a good laugh over the dinner table.
Learning to make new dishes from other countries rather than only eating them.
Earning a few extra dollars which has been very helpful in paying the bills when times were tough.
What are the pitfalls?
Not so easy to just gypsy around, (which is a good thing - forces me to slow down) as there are responsibilities to take care of- i.e. the students meals, help with everyday requirements, stepping in as a parent to kids who are often away from home for the first time and possibly the first time in a foreign country.
We also had a couple of smokers which we had to ask to leave as that didn’t suit us at all.
You have to be a little careful as some students think they are getting their money’s worth by eating the weight in food but generally most are good. You just need to be firm from the beginning and let them know what is available to them and what is off limits.
Some will try to bargain you down but it has to be worthwhile financially. For some of them their payment seems like a lot of money in their currency but it actually is quite reasonable when you factor everything in AU dollars.
What has the experience been like for your child?
Fantastic learning curve for Ajay, my 6 year old son, who is home-schooled and very welcoming to the students and very culturally aware.
Ajay can point out more countries on the world map than I can. He can also speak a few words in 6 different languages.
He has the gift of the gab (not sure where he got that from at all) so students learn from him as well.
He is quite the entertainer at home for the students.
Where are your current guests from?
Currently they are from Korea and China.
Other Countries have come from: Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, France, German, Italy, England, Spain, Canada, America, India, Singapore, Thailand, Brazil, Chile and Tanzania.
Would you recommend being a homestay host to others?
Yes definitely, you need to be quite a sociable person and enjoy the company of others though.
Take note though: you get all types. Some like to get involved and some like to keep to themselves. As long as you are fairly easy going and don’t have too many expectations on how they should behave you will enjoy and benefit from the experience immensely!
To Become a Homestay Host You Will Need-
A spare room furnished with a bed, study table, chair, bin, wardrobe, lamp.
To supply a simple breakfast plus dinners 7 days, and lunches on the weekends.
To be able to help your student to improve their English language skills and include them in family outings.
Approximate payment- $250 per week.
For more information contact Elizabeth Walmsley of Oz Homestay 02 87659063 / 97025565.
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