Thank you for interest in hosting a homestay student from Carmel College. The following is a list of basic minimum requirements when hosting students from overseas. Hosting an International Student is a very rewarding, and sometimes challenging, experience both for the student and homestay families. We find that our host families and students develop very close relationships and maintain this contact when the student returns to their home country.

Please fill in the Homestay Application and Family Profile form and return it to the Director of International Students. A member of staff will then be in contact to arrange a visit. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries in the meantime. We look forward to hearing from you!

Homestay students should be provided with:

Meals - 3 meals a day and snacks, including a packed lunch during the school week
Laundry – washing and ironing.
Bedroom with a table or desk, chair, mirror, reading lamp, bed with linen and blankets or duvet, heating system, chest of drawers and/or wardrobe.

Chores:

Students should not be expected to do a lot of chores, but should be asked to tidy their room and participate in family chores such as setting the table and doing the dishes.

Transport:

Homestay families are responsible for showing students how to get to and from the school. If the student is to take the bus or walk a short distance with another student, a homestay parent should accompany the student on his/her first day. It may be necessary to accompany the student for the first few days or a week if the student is unsure about how to get to school. Students should not be expected to walk to the school alone and should not be given a bicycle to ride to the school.

Toiletries:

Students have been asked to provide their own personal toiletries e.g. toothpaste, special shampoo, deodorant and sanitary needs. Please help them to buy more when they run out.

Heating:

Students will feel the cold and adequate heating must be provided.

Communication:

Students must have regular communication with their families. It is desirable that email access is provided. We encourage the student to use a phone card for International calls.

Student Care:

Homestay families are responsible for students for the school year, including school holidays. It is the homestay carers’ responsibility to know where their student is, how they can be contacted and who they are spending their time with, at all times. A mobile phone number is not adequate as an only means of contact for a student. Homestay carers need to have a physical address for the student’s whereabouts. If a student is staying at a friend’s place overnight, contact should be made with the host parents beforehand, and homestay carers should consider visiting the host home if possible.

When your student goes out, please ensure that he/she is carrying telephone numbers and addresses of both the school and the homestay.

Students should also have a regular phone card to use in New Zealand telephone boxes.

Students must not be left alone in the house for any reason. If this is inconvenient because of an emergency please contact the Director of International Students.

Homestay carers may need to be mindful of the developmental needs of older students.

Homework:

It is the homestay carer’s responsibility to help international students with their homework.

Student Behavior:

Homestay carers should expect the same standard of behaviour as would be expected from their own students of a similar age, but make allowances for cultural differences.

Illness:

In the case of serious illness or accident/emergency follow the emergency and accident procedures listed in the homestay Accident and Emergency Procedures form.

Safety:

It is the homestay carer’s responsibility to care for the student in a way that ensures they are kept safe from harm and their emotional well-being is nurtured.

Contact with Parents:

It’s a good idea to make contact with your student’s parents. A letter/email introducing yourself and family members and some regular contact about the student throughout the year will be greatly appreciated by their parents.

Changing Homestays:

Students must give at least two weeks notice or two weeks board in lieu of notice. Students may never change homestays without the knowledge of the school. If a student is to be moved, the homestay will be advised of the reason why.

Language:

The student will probably be unfamiliar with New Zealand accents (even if he/she has good English) and colloquial expressions and may take time to adjust.

Homestay families should attempt to learn some basic greetings in the student’s language. Learning a few phrases of your student’s language helps to show respect for their culture and may help them feel more welcome and cared for.

Click Here for Homestay Application Form and Family Profile