Homestay Newsletter - University of Otago · Homestay Newsletter r y . ! Homestay Newsletter ......
Transcript of Homestay Newsletter - University of Otago · Homestay Newsletter r y . ! Homestay Newsletter ......
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University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year
Mary Powell
Frances Ross
Homestay Newsletter
Another new year is upon us - Thank you to all our families for their
ongoing support and welcome to the new families we have recently
taken on.
Happy hosting for 2014!
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Homestay Newsletter
University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year
Public Holidays
Foundation Year will be closed on the following public holidays in 2014:
• GoodFriday18April2014
• OtagoAnniversaryDay22April2014
• AnzacDay25April2014
• Queen’sBirthday2June2014
• LabourDay27October2014
• Christmas/NewYear20December2014until4January2015(classesresumeon5January2015).
Medical Attention
Ifyourstudentrequiresanymedicalattentionduring9.00am-5.00pm they can make an appointmentwithStudentHealth,cornerofWalshandAlbanyStreets,phone4798212.After hours and weekends they should visit theUrgentDoctorsat95HanoverStreet,phone4792900andalwayskeeptheirreceipt toclaimbackontheirinsurancecover.
Language Centre datesMidtermrecess 21-25April2014MidtermOrientation 24April2014Classesstart 28April2014Termends 13June2014
Foundation Year DatesTerm 1Classesfinish 13June2014Exams 2-13June2014Term 2Classesstart 23June2014Classesfinish 10October2014Exams 29September-10OctoberClassesResume 20October2014
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Short Term groups
Thisyearwehavehadthelargestnumberofgroupsattending our English Language Courses to date.Approximately 90 short term students have spentthe past 1-2 months with us studying. We wouldespeciallyliketoacknowledgeallfamilieswhohostedone of our group students – you can feel totallyproud of yourselves for being such an awesomeambassador forourcity.Byofferingyourpatience,timeandunderstandingyouhaveenrichedtheirtimehereinsomanyways.
Duetotheshorttimeframethestudentsarehere–theydorequirealittlemoreofyourtimeandenergy.This is because theywould like to experience andsee asmuch ofNewZealand life as possiblewiththeir host families. This can include even simpleinexpensiveactivitieslikewalkingonthebeach,thebotanic gardensandmaybe short familyoutings toviewourcountryside.Thankyoutothehoststhathavemanagedtofitsomeoftheseactivitiesinwiththeirstudent.
Short term students are not suitable for everyhostingsituation–soifyoufeelyouwouldprefertohavealongertermstudentratherthanashorttermgroupstudent,justletusknowthisatthetimeweringyou.Weunderstandthatnotallfamilieshavethetimetodevotetoashortstaystudent.
Once the students return to their Universities inJapantheypassontheirpositiveexperiencesandthisinturnencouragesmoregroupsthefollowingyear.
Homestay Newsletter
University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year
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Homestay Newsletter
University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year
Host mobile phones are essential when picking up your studentPleasemakesureyouhaveyourmobilephoneonyouwhenpickingupstudentsfromtheairportorstadiumcarpark.Sometimesthereareunexpecteddelaysandifwehavetocontactyouinahurry,amobilephonecontactisthequickestmethod.
Saving Face - what it means in the Asian cultures
Forthebenefitofournewhostswehavedocumentedsomeinformationtohelpyouunderstandalittleoftheconceptof“losingface“.
Savingfaceisperhapssomethingthatsomeofyoumaynotbeawareof.Theconceptof“face”paysapartinrelationshipsbetweenallpeople.MuchofthebehaviouradoptedbyAsianculturesisbasedonmakingsurethatnoonelosesface.Asiancountriestendtobemoreformalandpoliteandlessphysicalandpersonalintheireverydaydealingsthan“Westerners”.
ToavoidlosingfacesomeAsianculturesrarelysay“no”directly,noraskadirectquestionorgiveadirectorder.Equally,“yes”maynotalwaysmeantheyagree.InWesterncountries, the ideaofdirect facial confrontation isnormal. “Speakyourmind” is somethingNewZealandersdo freely.This is in direct contrast toAsian cultureswherebeing frankorpotentiallyembarrassinganotherpersonisfrownedupon.Asiancultureswilltrynevertodoanythingtocauselossofface.Therefore,theydonotopenlycriticise,insultorputanyoneonthespot.Facecanbelost,takenaway,orearnedthroughpraiseandthanks.
Tipforhostfamilies:“Whenhosting a student fromanAsian country, try to avoid “Western style” confrontationwith yourstudent.Itisadvisabletostaycalmandbeawareofsaving/losingface.Raisingvoices,showingfacialannoyanceorshowinganyfrustrationcanbeeasilyinterpretedbyyourstudentasaverynegativeexperience.StudentsoftenasktheAccommodationstafftomovethemtoanotherhomestayshouldthishappenevenonce.Thisisallduetothelossoffaceasdiscussedabove.”
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Buses
CatchingbusesinsomesuburbsofDunedincanbefrustrating–weheardofonestudentwaitingoveranhourforthebus–whichneverdidarrive!Withwinteronlyaroundthecorneritcanbeacoldandwetexperienceforthemiftheymisstheirbus.Agoodideaistosuggesttoyourstudenttowaitforthebusperhaps5minutesbeforeitisdue.Itisalsoagoodideatocheckyourstudentisstandingontherightsideoftheroadastheycanbetotallydisorientatedintheirearlydays.
Manystudentsareusedtobikingintheirhomelandandmayshowaninterestinbikinghere.IfthisisthecasepleasebeverysurethatyourstudentunderstandstheNewZealandroadrulesandthedangersinvolved.PleaseshowyourstudentthesafestroutetotheLanguageCentreandifpossibletravelwiththemsoyoucanjudgewhetheryourstudentissafeonourroads.
Homestay Newsletter
University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year
Bedroom HeatersAsInternationalstudentsarenotfamiliarwiththedifferenttypesofheaterswehaveinourhomes,pleasetaketimetoexplaintoyourstudenthowtheirheaterworks.Somestudentsrecentlysaidtheydidnothaveaheaterintheirroombutuponspeakingwiththehostfamilyitwasintheirroombutthestudentdidnotrecog-niseit.
Electric Blanket ChecksAswinterisjustaroundthecornernowisprobablyagoodtimetoarrangetohaveyourelectricblanketscheckedforyourfamilyandstudents.AsInternationalstudentsarenotfamiliarwithelectricblanketspleaseshowthemhowtousethemsafely.Pleasepromptyourstudentsastheyareleavingforclassinthemorningtomakesuretheyhaveturnedtheirelectricblanketoff.Ifyouareconcernedpleasechecktomakesure.
Arrival of your new studentIfyoureceivearrivaldetailsdirectlyfromyourstudent–nottheAccommodationOffice–pleaseringandletusknow.Veryoccasionallythisdoeshappenandasourofficehasnotbeenofficiallynotifiedwecannotstartthepaymentstoyou.