International Education: Homestay Theory Versus Practice

The concept of homestay as an industry arose in the mid 1980’s in response to accommodation needs of international full-fee paying students studying in Australian secondary and tertiary educational institutions. Homestay accommodation is theoretically ideal for several reasons. It ensures an institution’s duty of care is fulfilled after school hours for students under eighteen and is an ideal setting to assist students with their acquisition of the target language, and their cultural knowledge. For some students it is an initial step before launching into other forms of accommodation, such as rental. Homestay provides a unique family environment where different cultures intercept within the home. While homestay appears to be ideal, in practice there is uncertainty about the extent to which it fulfils the expectations of students, hosts and organisations alike. Questions regarding the adequacy of training provided for homestay providers and hosts have also emerged. The issues arising in the unique environment of the homestay, such as cultural tensions, need to be addressed. This paper reports on recent research on the organisation of homestay programs and problems within the homestay itself. This indicates a need for training of homestay hosts and homestay organisers