Hosting International Students in yourhome If you are interested inbecoming a hosting an International Student, pleasecomplete WIE's Homestay Family Application Form and our Homestay Coordinator will get in touch with you.
Minimum basicrequirements for hosting students:
S tudentsshould be provided with:
Meals - 3 meals a dayand snacks, including a packed lunch during theschool week.
Laundry – washing andironing.
Bedroom with a tableor desk, chair, mirror, reading lamp, bed with linenand blankets or duvet, heating system, chest ofdrawers and/or wardrobe.
Students should not be expected to do a lot of chores,but should be asked to tidy their room and participatein family chores such as setting the table and doing thedishes.
Transport:
Host families are responsible for showing students howto get to and from school. If the student is totake a bus or walk a short distance, a host parentshould accompany the student on his/her first day. It may be necessary to accompany the student for thefirst few days or a week if the student is nervous aboutgetting to school. Students under 18 should not beexpected to walk to WIE alone and should not be allowedto a bicycle unless they are very competent.
Toiletries:
Students are asked to provide their own soap,toothpaste, shampoo, and personal toiletries. Please show them how they can buy more, for when theyrun out.
Heating:
Adequate heating must be provided.
Communication:
Students must have access to communication channels sothat they can keep in touch with theirfamilies. It is not unusual for a student to want tocall his/her family a day or two after arriving soplease show them how to use the telephone, but explainthat phone bills must be paid by the student. It is desirable that email/Skype access isalso provided.
On Arrival:
WIE organises a shuttle to meet the student at theairport and bring him/her to your home, or to theschool, depending on the time of day.It is very welcoming ifhomestay families can also go to the airport.
Student Care:
Host families are responsible for your student during theschool term, including school holidays.
Students aged under 18require extra care and supervision, so it is yourresponsibility to know where your student is and howhe/she can be contacted, at all times. A mobile phonenumber is not adequate as an only means of contact, youshould also have a physical address of the student'swhereabouts. Students aged under 18 must not be left alone in the house for anyreason. If this is inconvenient because of an emergencyplease contact WIE. S udentsaged under 18 are not allowed to stay at a friend'splace overnight without WIE's approval.
When your student goes out, please ensure that he/she iscarrying telephone numbers and addresses of both theschool and the host family. Students should also have a phonecalling card to use inpublic phone boxes.
Host families may need to be mindful of thedevelopmental needs of older children.
Homework:
Students are regularly given homework by their teachersand are expected to do some each day. Older students areusually more motivated to study but host families mayneed to encourage and help younger students with theirhomework.
Student Behaviour:
Host families should expect the same standard ofbehaviour as would be expected from their own childrenof a similar age, but make allowances for culturaldifferences.
Illness:
In the case of serious illness or accident/emergencyfollow the emergency and accident procedures listed inthe Accident and Emergency Procedures form,provided by WIE.
Safety:
It is the host family's responsibility to care forthe student in a way that ensures they are kept safe fromharm and their emotional well-being is nurtured.
Contact with yourstudent's parents:
It's a good idea to make contact with your student'sparents. A letter/email introducing yourself and familymembers and some regular contact about the studentthroughout the year will be greatly appreciated by theparents.
Changing Homestays:
Students must give at least two weeks notice or twoweeks board in lieu of notice, if they want to move out. Students may never changehomestays without the knowledge of the school. If astudent is to be moved, the host family will be advised ofthe reason why.
Language:
Your student will probably be unfamiliar with New Zealandaccents (even if he/she has good English) and colloquialexpressions and may take time to adjust.Host families should attempt to learn some basicgreetings in the student's language. Learning a fewphrases of your student's language helps to show respectfor their culture and may help them feel more welcomeand cared for.
To apply to be a Host Family for WIE, please download and fill out Homestay Family Application Form . Our Homestay Coordinator will process your applicationand is available to assist both students and hostfamilies throughout the hosting period.
Waikato Institute of Education
Address: Level 1, Centre Place Tower, 48 Ward Street ,
PO Box 773, Hamilton, New Zealand
Phone: 64 - 7 - 8382450Fax: 64 - 7 - 838 2453
Email: ******
#J-18808-Ljbffr
