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.

24/7 Interpreter Service

We have received many questions regarding our Homestay 24/7 Interpreter Service.

There are no additional costs for the service as it is paid for in the management fee.

How it works is as follows:

1. If our AHN 24/7 Help Desk receives a call where there is obviously a language problem the AHN Help Desk automatically sets up an interpreter booking and reschedules the call. Usually this can be done on the same day.


2. If a Supervisor or a host is having a communication issue where language is the problem, they can book the service direct with our AHN 24/7 help desk (most languages available).


3. Up to 6 people can be on the phone line for the one call, so you could have: Help Desk, Interpreter, Supervisor, Host, Student and Network Account Manager all on the one call for major issues.

We are excited about this added benefit for Homestay.

AHN Community to Benefit from 24 Hour AHN Assistance Service

Enhancing the cultural experience and ensuring the safe welfare for International Students is a major focus of the Australian Homestay Network community.

We are pleased to announce that we have secured the services of a well established, reputable assistance organisation to offer 24/7 support to member organisations, their Homestay hosts and students placed through the AHN System

The AHN 24 hour, 7 day access assistance line will provide referrals for:

• AHN Homestay Helpdesk
• Medical Assistance and Referral
• Telephone Legal Advice
• Stress & Trauma Counseling
• Interpreter Assistance
• Claim Lodgement

Working together to build complete homestay solutions!!

Process to Join AHN

Many groups have commenced the process to join AHN.

Our current projection for 2008 is to have over 4000 international students entering their homestay placement through an AHN supervisor.

If your organisation/institution wishes to explore further the opportunity associated with joining the Australian Homestay Network it commences with the following steps:

• Signing of confidentiality agreement
• Access codes given for system testing where the organisation/institution trials being a student, homestay host and supervisor
• "Getting Started" with AHN workshop
• Decision and start up date agreed to

We are currently in the process of signing groups up for January and July 2009 start ups.

If you are interested please contact Ella on 0417 784047 or at ebalsamo@homestaynetwork.org