Homestay

The New Zealand families who welcome students into their homes are not rich but are families who want to share their lives with you.In return they want to learn about you and your country.

They are inviting you to become a member of their family because they want to share with you their way of living and to get to know you and your country.It is important that you do not compare, in a negative sense, your way of life in N.Z with your way of life at home.

If you are a boarder you must follow hostel rules at all times.You will be given a Hostel Handbook which contains information and rules.In N.Z we like to know where our children are, who they are with and at what time they will be back.You may be used to having more freedom than that, but that is not acceptable here.

Your host family would like you to become a member of the family.This means that you will share the daily chores as well as the pleasures, and take part in family outings and other fun activities.The most important thing however, is to share your own thoughts feelings and impressions with them.This will really make you one of the family.They need to know how you feel.If something is worrying you, it is essential that you tell the family about it.

Not saying anything or not telling the truth is one way we can hurt each other.Belonging to a family means that you take part in everything that the family does together – family parties, gatherings with good friends.

Naturally there may sometimes be a few problems.Living together for such a long time is not easy and everyone has to adjust to everyone else.Small difficulties can sometimes be exaggerated, if you dont communicate with each other.

Some examples of this are:

• Different eating habits, e.g.slurping noodles.This is not done in N.Z.
• Eating with your mouth open.
• Not knowing what is expected of you in certain situations.
• Setting up family rules that you must accept.
• Curfews – time you must be home by.
• The law here compared to home and what you can and can not do.
• Remember to ask instead of telling your host parents what you are doing.
• Sniffing drives families crazy.Please buy a box of tissues or get a hanky(handkerchief) and blow your nose.

These are just some of the things that can cause problems if not talked about.

Homestay Rules

1.You are expected to be home early from school, unless of course you have asked permission from your family first, for example you may wish to participate in an after school sport, or visit a friends home.Whatever the reason you must tell your family where you are going and what time you will be home.You MUST be home for dinner each evening.

2.At no time are you allowed to go out at night alone.Family outings or group functions are acceptable.However, you must ensure that you are back home at a reasonable hour, for example not later than 9.00 pm during the week and not later than 11.00 pm at the weekend.

3.If you wish to stay with a friend overnight, you should ask your host family first, who will then telephone the family you wish to stay with and confirm that this is acceptable.

4.At no time are you permitted to go away for weekends or holidays without confirming with your school and homestay family.This is to ensure that you are safe at all times.The telephone number and name of the person/persons you will stay with must be left with your homestay family so that you can be contacted if anything should happen.

5.You are expected to help with any household chores, as New Zealand children do.

6.At no time are you permitted to purchase or drive a car or motorbike on a public road in New Zealand.Youmay buy a bicycle and your family will help you choose it.

7.You should only use the homestay familys phone in moderation.If calling internationally you need to use a phone card or call collect.Mobile phones are permitted but must be turned off at school at all times.Hostel regulations apply to mobile phones.

8.You are allowed a set amount of pocket money per week.If you wish to buy something for school, clothing or something you need (for instance a haircut) then you may have extra pocket money.One of your homestay parents, or a representative from the hostel, will be a co-signatory for your bank card.

9.You are not permitted to participate in dangerous activities that contravene your health insurance, for example bungy jumping, paragliding etc.Parental consent in writing must be obtained to receive an exemption from this policy.

10.You are not permitted to visit licensed establishments except in the company of your host family.

11.You are not permitted to gamble.

12.The internet may be used in accordance with the conditions set down in the schools LAN contract.