If you are an international student preparing for a semester overseas in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne offer a number of fantastic options to help you acclimate to a new country, explore new opportunities overseas, and learn about a different culture. However, you may have some questions about the process of finding a homestay and ensuring it’s a good fit with the family you end up staying with.

Here is some basic information about the process and a few of the things you should keep in mind while preparing for your homestay in Sydney or Melbourne.

Choosing the Best Option for You

If you plan on staying in Australia for a semester overseas, there are a number of options to choose from. Standard homestay is very popular because it offers the opportunity to explore a new country with the support of a local family, but there are options as well, including:

• Getting a student apartment
• Sharing a house with other students
• Choosing a VIP homestay

Before choosing an option for your stay, consider what will be most important to you on your trip. Are you eager to learn more about Australian culture, visit local Sydney or Melbourne landmarks, or focus primarily on your education in one of Australia’s universities? The end goal of your time will likely determine which of these makes the most sense for you.

How Homestay Works

If you do choose homestay, there are a number of benefits to the program. You’ll receive a room of your own with access to all of the amenities you would need – including bed, desk, chair, storage for clothes and possessions, two meals a day with the host family, and a third meal on the weekends if you are at home.

You also get a number of options such as shared accommodations in a homestay setting, laundry access and quick access to transportation. We, for example, ensure all of our host families are within 45 minutes via public transportation of the school at which you are studying.

Is Homestay Right for Me?

Depending on what you’re looking for from your time spent overseas, there are a number of benefits to homestay. If you are interested in learning more about how it works, who you might be staying with, and what other things you should consider when staying overseas, contact Global Experience and ask to learn more about our homestay opportunities for students like yourself.