MAC ILC Homestay Handbook (Residential Caregiver Booklet)

Enjoy Success! 

MAC ILC Homestay Handbook 

INTRODUCTION 

Like most other secondary schools, Mount Aspiring College (MAC) and the ILC have a number 

of International fee-paying students. Students come from a variety of countries, including Japan, 

Thailand, Korea, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Italy, Paraguay and Colombia. 

International students add to the cultural diversity of MAC and help to promote cultural awareness 

and understanding. They also make a major financial contribution to the school, which is of 

benefit to all students. 

Thank you for welcoming an international student into your home. We are sure you will find the 

experience interesting, and challenging. We hope that this booklet will be useful and will help to 

make your homestay experience positive and rewarding. 

We appreciate the commitment you are making in providing a homestay and aim to help you 

in any way possible. If you have other questions, or if problems arise, please don’t hesitate to 

contact us at any time (please refer to contact details overleaf). 

Claire Easterbrook - International Manager 

IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS 

In an emergency please contact Claire Easterbrook. Her number is 027 253 1926. 

The ILC Office is 03 443 0466 and the Main College Office is 03 443 0499 

You may also have to go to the main office during your stay. All money accounts are paid to the 

main office. The people who will help you there are Mandy Sherson, Samantha Drayton, Kathy 

Tweedie and Thelma McMurray 

When calling these numbers from outside Wanaka you will need to use the (03) Code. The 

international code for New Zealand is 64 eg if you are calling from overseas the ILC telephone 

number is 0064 3 443 0466 

www.mountaspiringcollege.nz | ilc@mtaspiring.school.nz | 03 443 0466 | page 3 of 37



WHY STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND? 

Why do students from overseas want to study here? 

Many students, mainly from Asian countries, come to New Zealand to gain qualifications that 

are not easily accessible - or not available at all - in their own country. Gaining qualifications 

in an English-speaking country will also greatly increase their future employment opportunities. 

Attending secondary school is seen as an important stepping-stone in this process. Many continue 

their studies at N.Z. tertiary institutions or move to another English-speaking country such as 

Australia or America to attend University. Students are expected to complete all assessments, 

tests and exams during the year. 

Our students from Europe and South America mainly come to improve their English, and to enjoy 

the outdoor education opportunities. 

New Zealand is a popular destination for study abroad. We have a reputation for being ‘clean and 

green’ with a relatively safe environment and a well -regarded standard of education. 

What does a Homestay Family (Residential Caregiver) provide? 

All International students at MAC must live with a parent, a designated caregiver or in a schoolapproved 

homestay. No student can go flatting. This is a condition of enrolment. 

Providing homestay care for a teenager is different from having an adult boarder. We hope you 

will treat your student as a member of the family rather than a guest. 

Homestays provide the following: 

• Airport meeting, if required. It is expected that the homestay will be available to meet the 

student if at all possible, and will take the student home from this point 

• A bedroom with a desk for study (students are not expected to share a room) 

• Three meals a day 

• A warm and comfortable environment (students do not pay extra for electricity) 

• The kindness, care and support you would hope your own children would be given. 

page 4 of 37 | www.mountaspiringcollege.nz | ilc@mtaspiring.school.nz | 03 443 0466



Absences 

Any absence must be explained to Sam at the school office as soon as possible in the morning 

(phone 443 0466 x 810). If your student is going to be absent for more than one day or you are 

concerned about their health, contact the Homestay Coordinator. 

Civil Emergency 

In the case of Wanaka, this is likely to be an earthquake. The Homestay parent/s will continue 

to maintain responsibility for the student’s safety and welfare. Please discuss your Household 

Emergency Plan in the case of emergencies - and the Drop, Cover, Hold rule….don’t run outside!!! 

Students’ Guardians 

Students have the school as their guardian. Many homestays are happy to deal with day-to-day 

problems without contacting the school. However, if a more serious problem arises, it is important 

that the school is notified, even if the homestay or guardian has dealt with it independently. 

Overnight Stays 

If your student wants to stay overnight at a friend’s place, please ensure you have all the contact 

details for that family and inform the Homestay coordinator of the plan. In some cases the student’s 

agent will require these details. Host parents are expected to know where their student is 24/7. 

Homestay Parent Absences 

If the homestay parent/family needs to be away overnight or for an extended period of time and 

is unable to take the student with them, you must inform the homestay coordinator, who can 

organise temporary accommodation for the student. 

Students out 

on their bikes 




The first few weeks - setting guidelines 

The following points may be helpful, whether you are new to homestaying or an old hand. 

• Check pronunciation of names. What will your student call you? 

• Show your student around the neighbourhood: supermarket, bank, library, etc. 

• Explain your family routines - what times family members tend to get up and go to bed, meal 

times, using the bathroom, washing clothes, making snacks etc. Even if your student has lived 

in another Kiwi homestay, every family has different routines. This is important to help the 

student feel settled. 

• Make sure your house rules are clear, (some homestays have them in writing). Different 

homestays have different guidelines but we recommend the following: 

1. Tell us if you are going to be late home so we don’t worry. 

2. Let us know if you won’t be home for a meal. 

3. Friends are welcome but if they want to have a meal or stay the night, you should always ask 

first. 

4. If you want to stay with a friend overnight or go away on a holiday, you must leave contact 

details. For holidays you need to complete a Student Travel Form. This is for your safety and 

so you can be reached in an emergency. 

5. Keep your room tidy. 




It is a good idea to discuss other things like using the telephone and computer, issues about 

smoking and alcohol ( definitely forbidden), reasonable length of time in the shower, use of 

heaters/electric blankets, playing music late at night, bedtimes, times you expect your student 

home at night, and the latest friends can visit. Many of these things don’t need to be written down 

but can be discussed as issues arise. Helping with the dishes etc will help the student feel part 

of the family (students may not offer to help as they never do so at home, but will be happy to do 

so if you ask). 

It is important to remember that it is your home and you have the right to expect certain standards 

of behaviour. Many students are wonderful, but some are used to a lot of freedom at home. In 

some countries, servants are common. If your student is treating your house like a hotel, it is up 

to you to explain the difference! Some students come from strict home backgrounds where every 

moment of the day is accounted for. The extra freedom and lack of parental supervision in N.Z. 

can cause problems. 

By offering to be a homestay, you have accepted a degree of responsibility for the teenager in 

your care. Parents expect that you will act in the best interest of their child and this includes 

setting firm guidelines. The safety of the student in your care is paramount. For most, the main 

purpose for being in N.Z is to study. Do not hesitate to set rules, especially for younger students. 

What would you expect of your own child? 

With some students, enforcing rules is not easy. They may not want to accept your authority 

because you are not the parent. If your student repeatedly refuses to follow reasonable rules 

and you are worried and unhappy, it is most important that you contact the school/the homestay 

coordinator. If the problem cannot be resolved, you have the right to ask the student to leave. 

Lara relaxing 

with her 

Homestay 

family 




Changing Homestays 

The ILC places a student in a homestay for an intended length of time in good faith. There is, 

however, no guarantee that the student will remain in the same homestay for the full time. Moving a 

student is not done lightly. If a problem occurs, the school will work with the homestay and student 

to overcome the problem. Students are constantly encouraged to work through any problems by 

talking to their homestay and school staff. 

It is not uncommon for some students who have just arrived in New Zealand to ask to move almost 

immediately, and this is often the result of culture shock. Some students cannot face discussing 

quite minor problems because they think it will be interpreted as rudeness by the homestay. They 

would rather avoid the issue by changing homestay immediately. In these cases, a trial period 

almost always results in the resolution of initial problems. In many cases, it takes at least one 

month for students to feel settled in a new homestay, therefore students will not be moved in the 

first month unless the situation is urgent. 

If, after this process, a problem cannot be resolved and the student and/or homestay remain 

unhappy, a new homestay will be found. 

The International Language Centre reserves the right to move a student from a homestay at any 

time if it is felt the student’s health and safety is at risk. 

Possible reasons for leaving a homestay 

• Student returns to home country at parents’ request 

• Homestay unable to continue care. (eg., illness, transfer) 

• Student behaviour is unacceptable to homestay parents and/or the school (eg., continued 

disobedience, theft, serious breach of school rules) 

• Behaviour from homestay members that is unacceptable to the student/parents/school (eg., 

physical punishment, lack of respect for student’s cultural beliefs, theft) 

• A ‘mismatch’ between the student and homestay 

• Written request from parents for their child to now live with a designated caregiver or family 

member. 

The Problems of Culture Shock And Homesickness 

Moving to another country requires a time of adjustment: the language, food, people, weather, 

houses and ways of doing things are suddenly different. These changes affect people in a variety 

of ways: some students adjust quickly to their new environment; others go through bouts of 

homesickness and uncertainty before they settle down. Culture Shock is a very real thing, but it 

does pass with time. 




Many students go through the following stages: 

Leaving Home 

Nervous, sad to leave family and friends but excited and adventurous. Expectations of their new 

life may be unrealistically high. 

The First Few Weeks 

Excited and stimulated. The student may be on a “high”, enjoying new experiences and meeting 

new people. Tiredness may be a problem. 

After 4 or 5 Weeks 

As initial excitement wears off, homesickness may strike. There may be rosy memories of home 

and feelings of anxiety, loneliness and confusion may set in. Physical symptoms may include 

tiredness, head and stomach aches, changed sleeping and eating patterns. School work may 

seem too difficult and a fear of “letting down the family if I fail” may occur. The student may wonder 

if they made the right decision to come to New Zealand. 

Eventually... 

These feelings will pass. Friends will be made, and school life will settle down. The student may 

become more realistic about expectations and realise that emotional ups and downs are normal. 

Feelings of confidence and happiness will return. 

Also…Students can also experience “reverse Culture Shock” when they return home. After 

adjusting to the New Zealand way of life and being more independent, some find returning to their 

old life style quite difficult. 

Contact with parents 

Some homestays have a lot of contact with parents. Some have none. This often depends on 

whether the parents speak English. Mount Aspiring College will normally send all school reports 

directly to the education agent, who will pass on the information to the parents. The school also 

contacts agents (or parents if an agent hasn’t been used) if other issues or problems arise. It can 

be very rewarding for homestays to develop contact with parents if it is possible. 

ILC students hit 

the snow 




KIWI CULTURE 

Cultural differences - Some common problems and possible explanations: 

“Our student arrived yesterday. We were told their English was quite good but they can’t 

say anything!” 

They may be in culture shock and overwhelmed. When they relax a little, the English they know 

will emerge. 

“My student won’t look me in the eye. They must be so shy.” 

Not necessarily. They may be showing respect. In some cultures, making eye contact with an 

elder, especially when being told off, is impolite. 

“My student arrived three days ago but hasn’t used the shower!” 

Have you shown them how your shower works? Western showers are very different to some 

bathing facilities in countries such as Japan. They may be too shy to ask. 

“My student is relaxed with me but seems tense when my husband is around. I don’t think 

they like him.” 

In some Asian countries it is uncommon for the father to spend a lot of time at home, be home for 

meals etc. Perhaps they need time to adjust to a man being present. 

“Our student will do anything my husband asks but he is rather arrogant towards my 

daughter and me. I think he is rude.” 

In some cultures males hold a higher status. Mothers wait on males at the table and father holds 

the authority He may not realise this appears rude and is acting in an acceptable way in his own 

culture. Try to explain that in N.Z everyone is equal. 

“My student never bothers to help around the house. How lazy.” 

Have you explained that you would like them to do this? Live-in home help is not uncommon in 

many countries and perhaps they have never had to do chores at home. Explain that in New 

Zealand everyone helps out. 

“My student always agrees to do things even when I’m sure they would rather not. They 

often say ‘maybe’ instead of a definite ‘yes’ or ‘no.’” 

Many students will have difficulty saying no because they don’t want to appear rude or ungrateful. 

Reassure them it’s OK to decline an offer. 

“My student has been here for six weeks and is suddenly really homesick.” 

This can be a danger time, after the initial excitement has worn off. Winter, mid year, can also 

be a down time. Encourage them to talk, explain it is normal to feel homesick. Be understanding 

and keep them busy. They’ll want to spend time alone but this can increase the loneliness. Their 

friends will also be able to give support. Let the school know if you have concerns. 




“My student told their teacher that they are cold at night but they didn’t tell me. The teacher 

rang me and now I feel embarrassed.” 

Don’t be. Some students will keep small problems to themselves, as they don’t want to ‘be a 

nuisance’ or cause possible upset in their homestay. They may tell another person instead. Keep 

encouraging them to be open about any problems and reassure them you won’t be offended. 

“My student uses the heater all day and night, and always spends too long in the shower.” 

Students are made aware at orientation that they should only have their heaters on while they are 

in their rooms, and that they must limit the time they spend in the shower. However, if there are any 

concerns, speak with the student and explain what you feel is acceptable use of the heater and 

shower. 

“I wish our student would spend more time with the family in the evenings and less time 

in their room.” 

This is a common problem, especially at the beginning. Most students will need some time alone 

- it is exhausting getting used to a new culture and a huge effort trying to speak English all the 

time, especially after a day at school. There should be a balance though. This can be a problem 

if they are homesick. 

If, after they are settled, the student is spending all their time in their room devices, you may need 

to speak with the school. If they are neglecting schoolwork and/or coming to school sleepy, their 

device may need to be taken away until time limits are agreed upon. 

“Our student often goes to bed very late but then can’t get up in the morning.” 

Many students from overseas study or use the internet too late. Going to bed at 10pm seems 

very strange to many. Computer use may also be a problem (see above). Explain how you need 

to get up early for work etc and the house needs to be quiet so others can sleep. If they can’t get 

up they obviously need to do the same. 

“My student has been here for several months. They made good progress at the start but 

now don’t seem to be improving.” 

Language learning is a complicated business and doesn’t occur in a steady, even progression. 

Students often make a lot of progress initially as they learn a lot of vocab and then seem to 

plateau. Another jump in progress will occur. 

“At times my student appears rude as they speak too ‘informally’ with older adults they 

have just met. They are also starting to use some swear words.” 

Understanding levels of formality in English is really difficult if it is not your first language. Many 

students will copy the language of those around them. They may use slang/swear words without 

having any idea they are inappropriate. This can result in some quite funny situations! It is 

important the student is told. If you think it is intentional, don’t accept it. 




“Our student is not doing much study at home. They often say they don’t have homework. 

They are spending more time with friends in town on weeknights.” 

It is impossible to have no homework. Even if no assignments are due, there is always revision of 

work, reading an English book, making lists of new vocab and working on self-study for grammar. 

If your student wants to succeed they must have a balance between study and social life. You 

need to talk about this together and set some rules, for example they must be home by 6.00 

on weeknights. Contact the school and express your concerns. Extra work can be set and the 

message will be reinforced. The school will also contact agents/parents if needed. 

“Our student has trouble telling the truth.” 

This is frustrating and damaging to relationships. Confront the student and explain the importance 

of honesty. Contact the school to make us aware of the problem - we can reinforce this (some 

students will avoid open conflict at all costs and this includes telling you what they know you want 

to hear instead of the truth). Parents may need to be informed. 

“We have just discovered that our student has been bunking school.” 

Good attendance is vital. This is made very clear to students. When a student is absent the school 

office must be contacted. If a student is sick for more than two days he will be required to provide 

a Medical Certificate. The school and homestay need to work together to solve any attendance 

problems. If the problem is ongoing, they will be put on an attendance check and parents will be 

informed. Students with poor attendance despite written warnings may lose their place at Mount 

Aspiring College. 

“My student seems bored in the weekends and can’t seem to organise their free time.” 

This can be a common problem. Some students have every minute of the day organised for them 

at home, with long hours at school, extra study classes, music lessons etc. For many, the school 

day here is quite short and the concept of free, unstructured time is new. Many need help to be 

made aware of activities available in Wanaka and help to join sports clubs etc. Information is also 

given at school and students are constantly encouraged to join extra curricular activities. Students 

from big cities often find Wanaka very quiet! 

“Our student’s parents are coming to NZ and they expect to stay with us.” 

This is your decision but you are under no obligation to host family or friends. It can put pressure 

on the homestay. We suggest having a meal together. 

ILC students 

doing what 

they do best 

- having fun!

MAC ILC Homestay Handbook (Residential Caregiver Booklet)

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