HOME STAY
Before you go to Australia, you need to fill in a form for choosing a home stay family. Be careful! This is an important step. You need to fill in you requirements for a home stay family. If you are afraid of dogs or other pets, you need to write it down. Otherwise, you may get a home stay family which is not suitable for you. You should also write down your hobbies so that you can have a perfect match.
Remember ! It is important to contact your home stay before you go there. This will help you to develop relationship with them and can let you understand them more. Also, if you have any queries, you can also ask them through email. You may also wish to prepare a present for them. They will be very happy when they receive it.
Usually, they are very nice and they want to include you as their family. It may be difficult to treat them really as your family but try to include yourself in their life. This will help you to overcome your homesickness. And, of course, the life with them is surely a valuable memory in your life.
Try to tell them what you want or what you are used to do.
Their lifestyles are different from us. Their food, their habits and their living pace will be different. They may not know your needs well. Sometimes, if you do not tell them, you will think that they do not care for you or mistreat you. But, actually, it's probably just because they do not know what you need.
Usually, they will do most of the housework for you but you can also help setting table, washing the dishes or preparing the meal.
Try to talk to them when you have chance. This is when you can practise your English. Your home stay family is very willing to talk to you. They would like to know more about you too. Your home stay is not a hotel. Do not always lock yourself in your room.
Treasure every moment when you are with your home stay family. This will become a memorable experience for you.
It does not mean the end of your relationship with your home stay family. You can keep in touch with them. Send them an email, present or some photos. They are very willing to keep in touch with you. You will find that after this trip, you will have someone more than a friend.
