Great Approach for Middle Eastern Students

Here is some great feedback from a Host who has put in the extra effort with outstanding results.

In their own words.....

I was asked to host a young male from Saudi Arabia. My first reaction was one of hesitance purely by family and friend's saying negative things about muslims and arabs. All this negativity fuelled the fire in me to say YES YES YES!! How can one make judgement when not having an experience!! The media has a lot to answer for! Anyhow, I was started to get ready to welcome our student into our home. I was able to download information from the website, put in our address details and print out a map showing the direction of Mecca for his religious needs. I also rang the mosque in Arundel to make contact and to get a list of the prayer times for the Southern hemisphere. I then downloaded some Arabic music, went shopping for chick peas, rice, pita bread and more and cooked a delicious Middle Eastern feast for the family. Everyone in the mode to welcome him! On arrival he gracefully held his hand out for us to hold and shake - the connection had been made!

We welcomed him into our house with smiles and love. I had bought a new set of cutlery for him so to ensure him they had not been near any pork products.

His warm smile, willingness to join in our family life, learn about Australian culture is still continuing to this day. We talk about this, that and everything! So open minded! We respect him and in turn he respects us.

And for anyone who may have heard that they think of women as second class citizens.........I have never been treated so well in all my life!! When shopping together, he insists on pushing the trolley and won't let me carry any bags! I am being spoilt indeed! He ensures I always enter the house before him and his manners are immaculate!

So..........take time to think before simply taking heed from what you hear and trust your gut feelings.

EMBRACE THE CULTURES OF THE WORLD.

Let us continue to enjoy our wonderful students and provide them with a loving, warm and friendly atmosphere so as they can spread their wings!

Success always comes after work.

Congratulations to this Host for making a difference with the cultural exchange program.

Australian Homestay Network Update

AHN in NZ
The Australian Homestay Network has been well received at the 19th ISANA Conference in Auckland New Zealand where it was announced that a NZ Homestay Network was on schedule for a 2010 launch. NZ Delegates responded very well to what the AHN was doing in Australia and it was hoped that a similar network could be established in NZ earlier than 2010 if possible. New Zealand homestay has been experiencing very similar problems as Australia.

AHN up and running in Australia
Education institutions outsourcing homestay are now being offered the opportunity to have the compliance security by making the decision to only refer students to private Homestay supervising organisations that meet minimum criteria such as:
· An online compliant and accessible/fully trackable/auditable system
· An acceptable industry Advisory Board overseeing the integrity of systems
and processes
· Professional 24/7 phone support including emergency and critical incident
management
· Appropriate insurances for both Hosts and Students
· Part of a Quality Assurance National Homestay Network

The above is now the new industry benchmark and Institutions adopting the minimum criteria are helping to lift the standards of Homestay services in Australia to an industry acceptable level.

Educations institutions supervising their own student homestays are now able to manage their homestays on the AHN platform using the compliant system and associated support services.

Private homestay supervisors are now being offered the opportunity to apply to join the Australian Homestay Network (it is free to join but membership is not guaranteed as private supervisors must be able to meet our minimum criteria).

Outstanding supervisor issues to be addressed by the AHN include:
· Overseas agents privately arranging homestays
· Australian multicultural groups/individuals setting up ‘country of origin’
family homestays with no accountability or controls
· Parent nominated homestays being included in the accountability process
for homestays

AHN Objectives
The Australian Homestay Network’s aim is not only to supply a compliant online portal for the delivery of Homestay to universities, organisations and providers of Homestay, but also to develop and enhance a ‘cultural experience’ through the Homestay opportunity for International students choosing to study within Australia.

The Australian Homestay Network (AHN) has been established to create the platform, leadership, systems and processes for compliant Homestay management.

It is free for Education Providers to become a member of AHN.

What AHN Provides:
· A management system for Homestay
· National, State and Regional compliance standards
· Online training for hosts
· Professional development for supervisors/providers
· Network and structure
· National branding, advertising and supply strategies
· Insurance and emergency 24/7 phone support for students and hosts


Australian Homestay challenges for the future:
1. Desperately need new hosts Australia wide.
We are currently advertising for new homestay hosts who are prepared to be involved in cultural exchange and quality services provision as the foundation of the relations. We offer free membership and online training with no obligation to take a student until they have been interviewed and their house assessed by and AHN trained supervisor. Payment to be a homestay host is non-assessable income (tax free) for up to two students per household. Persons wishing to become trained hosts with AHN should phone 1300 MY STAY (1300 697 829) or simply log on to http://www.homestaynetwork.org/

2. Ensuring education institutions only refer students and their agents to homestay operations that meet the minimum criteria.
Australia’s education institutions have to be made accountable for referring accommodation options in Australia. If they ensure that their agents also follow acceptable practices we are a long way to solving the problem.

AHN 2009 Starters

· Australian National University - (Canberra)
· Australian National University College - (Canberra)
· Bond University - (Gold Coast)
· Bond University English Language Institute - (Gold Coast)
· Central Queensland University - (Gold Coast)
· Central Queensland University – (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane)
· Gold Coast Institute of TAFE - (Gold Coast)
· Griffith English Language Institute - (Gold Coast)
· Griffith University - (Gold Coast)
· Holmes Institute - (Melbourne)
· Immanuel College - (Adelaide)
· International Education Services - (Brisbane)
· Kings International College - (Gold Coast)
· Meridian - (Sydney and Melbourne)
· Monash College - (Caulfield, Clayton, Peninsula)
· Monash University - (Berwick, Caulfield, Clayton, Gippsland, Parkville,
Peninsula)
· Robina High, English language school - (Robina)
· Sunshine State Surfing School - (Gold Coast)
· Swinburne - (Hawthorn)
· University of Queensland Foundation Year
· William Angliss Institute (Melbourne)

In Addition we have appointed private homestay supervisors to the AHN system in:

· New South Wales
· Victoria
· Queensland (Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast)
· South Australia
· Western Australia

2009 in Australia
· AHN is scheduled to be the largest supplier of trained
homestay hosts in Australia
· The largest homestay student placement service

For Further information contact Ella Balsamo on 0417 784 047 or email ebalsamo@homestaynetwork.org

Merry Christmas to All!

REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS UNDER 18

As part of the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) commitment to a consistent and complaint approach to the provision of Homestay services within Australia, the following information will assist in understanding the regulations and requirements for students who are under the 18 years of age.

The snapshot below details the regulation/requirements which are need in each State through the Nation when working and volunteering for students under the age of 18.

Queensland
In Queensland people working or volunteering with children need to hold a Blue Card.

The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian is responsible for administering and conducting criminal history checks on people who want to work with children to determine whether or not they are eligible to hold a Blue Card.

http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/index.html

Cost: Volunteer – free, Paid Employees: $60 (2 years)

New South Wales
The NSW Commission for Children and Young People is responsible for the Working with Children Check, which helps determine whether people are suitable to work in child related employment.

This checklist aims to create workplaces where children are safe and protected, and where the people who work with children are appropriately screened.

http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/director/check.cfm

Cost: Free Service

Victoria
The Victorian Government has introduced the Working with Children Check, which is compulsory for people who wish to work with or volunteer with children.

The check seeks to protect children from harm by requiring people to undertake a criminal history check before they start work in an organisation.

http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Working+With+Children/Home/

Cost: Volunteer: Free, Paid Employees: $70 plus cost of photographs (5 years)

South Australia
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in South Australia, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.

http://www.internationalstudents.sa.edu.au/pages/home/links/

Cost: $48

Australian Capital Territory
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in the Australian Capital Territory, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.

Northern Territory
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in the Northern Territory, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.In addition, the Northern Territory Government has released draft legislation for the creation of a screening scheme which outlines minimum standards for child-related occupations and activities.

Western Australia
In Western Australia a Working with Children Check is compulsory for people who carry out child-related work in Western Australia.

The check aims to protect children by deterring people from working with children when they have criminal records that indicate they may harm children; and by preventing people with such records from gaining positions of trust in paid and voluntary work with children.

http://www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/default.htm

Cost: Volunteer: $10, Paid Employees: $50 (3 years)

Tasmania
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in Tasmania, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.

In 2005 the Commissioner for Children Tasmania released a consultation paper discussing proposals for the Government to introduce screening procedures for Tasmanian organisations who want to employ people to work with children.

TCN Homestay gives AHN Thumbs Up!

One of Victoria's leading Homestay Supervisors, TCN Homestay, has now been trained on all aspects of the AHN system and has given it a big thumbs up! Here is what just one of their staff had to say:

"I was very impressed with the system. The AHN is a visually pleasant looking system and it is far superior to the system we currently have. I found it to be very user friendly, easy to move around the different sections and from an accounting perspective – excellent. The alert system is terrific and the fact the Hosts, Students and Agents can input their own data and monitor the system day by day is great. The fact that there is ongoing consultation with TCN and other clients is fabulous. Education Institutions should be able to now relax with Homestay and proudly present it as an accommodation option for students.

We can see the benefits already to enhancing our business to making a smooth and efficient changeover and providing a much higher level of service to all parties involved. I look forward to going live in Jan 09!"

Anthony Joins the AHN Team

We have great pleasure in welcoming Anthony Fleming to our team.

Anthony fulfils the position of CEO during our foundation and development phase.

Having worked for OSHC Worldcare for the past 5 years (Account Management QLD/NSW/ACT, Regional Manager QLD/NSW/ACT and National Operations Manager), Anthony has extensive experience in implementation projects concerning International students.

With a background in Account Management, Marketing, Public Relations and Operations his key responsibility will be ensuring new client’s transition to AHN is successful.

With our project continuing to gain momentum, we look forward to growing our business under Anthony’s leadership.

Welcome Anthony!!

Foundation Member gives the AHN System the thumbs up!!

Study Gold Coast has worked closely with AHN Staff over the past months undergoing extensive system training, system testing, completing the "Getting Started with AHN" procedures, developing member communication and hosting AHN information sessions.

Feedback from Study Gold Coast has been extremely positive.

Here's some of the system functions/inclusions they like most:

• the system is extremely easy to use
• the entire system is auditable without extra additional administration time
• we will have records of absolutely every action with a reduction in administration time and this is very easily accessible
• we will be able to generate our own reports, export to EXCEL and create graphs for statistical purposes
• we can search for students by their existing ID numbers as allocated by their education providers
• we will benefit from a fully secure system protecting privacy of homestay host and students
• insurance covering both homestay hosts and students is excellent
• as is the bonus of counselling in other languages through AHN 24/7

The Australian Homestay Network thanks Study Gold Coast for their continued support and looks forward to working together to build complete homestay solutions.

AHN ADVISORY BOARD

‘Working together to build complete Homestay solutions’

AHN is pleased to announce the appointment of a number of individuals from across the Nation (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia) to the AHN Advisory Board.

The AHN Advisory Board which is chaired by Sylvia Lewohl (formerly of Griffith University - who has over 17 years experience working within the Homestay area) will hold its inaugural meeting this week.

The Advisory Board plays a proactive role in guiding AHN planning and program development, initiating dialogue with the Board of Directors on matters of strategic interest as well as responding to matters referred from the Board of Directors.

The AHN Advisory Board’s role is to:

- Act as a forum of strategic advice and a sounding board for the Board of Directors with respect to current and emerging issues relating to Homestay and International Students

- Assist the Board of Directors with strategic planning

- Advise on opportunities for alliances and partnerships consistent with the aims and goals of the network

- Advise on and monitor compliance with statutory regulations pertaining to Homestay

Advisory Board positions are non-remunerative and represent the following areas :

- Homestay industry
- Higher Education sector
- TAFE Sector
- English Language
- Private Education Sector
- Public sector
- Corporate Sector
- Specialist areas such as police, psychiatry, insurance etc.