Print out the wifi name and password.

Place welcome snacks, chocolates and a city map in their room (ALDI instant noodle cups have been the most popular!) Include at least 1 bottle of water.

Give them a welcome meal or snack, especially if they arrive late at night. Allow them to eat it alone privately to remove any pressure from having to socialise when they are very tired and nervous.

Introduce all members of the household. Write first names on sticky notes on bedroom doors.

Before going to school on the first day, sit with the student to add Google Maps locations on their phone of your home, their school and your closest bus/train stop. Ask the student to take screenshots as they may not have internet access while travelling to/from school on day 1.

DURING WEEK 1:
Print a list of bus/train departure times from the stop closest to your home. My students use this print-out daily!

For Asian students, understand that breakfast cereals with milk will most often be ignored. I keep dinner left-overs in a small box so they can reheat in the microwave with pre-cooked rice.

Print a list of the house rules/notes. I include a QR code to an online version so the student can open it on their phone and use a Translator. I include meal times, cleaning days, quiet hours, links to public transport timetables and maps. Include your expectation that they shower at least once per day.

Create an Insta/WhatsApp group chat and include them with other students/members of the household. Take lots of photos and share them in the group chat. Don’t forget to tag AHN if you share to Facebook/Insta!

Take the students to meet other members of your family, or friends. This really helps the student put you into context with the other people in your life.

Understand that young students may often be very active on their phones chatting to friends between 10pm – 2am. Give them this space but explain your quietness policy, for example, voices must be quiet and they must open and close the bathroom door quietly at night.

If possible, take them somewhere to see Kangaroos. Their face will come alive when they see their first Kangaroo!

Show them pictures of Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, IGA logos and explain the shop closing times for different days, especially in WA where the shops close between 5pm-9pm.

Take the student for drives in your car. You may be surprised that their happiest memories and bonding moments come from times spent with you on short drives.

ONGOING:
Do a one-on-one welfare check with them every few weeks. Ask them how they are going and what problems they are having. Even if you don’t have a solution to a problem, listening to them can be just as important and crucially appreciated.

Ask if their bedroom and mattress are adequate. Ask if the bedroom temperature at night is ok and offer suggestions on how to keep warmer/cooler.

Occasionally ask the student to offer meal suggestions for the household. Perhaps they would like to cook for you. Even the most shy and introverted students have appreciated this opportunity to try to make the host family happy by sharing their favourite food.

If the student is continually sleeping too much on weekends, prepare a mid-morning activity so that they get up and become active. For example, going shopping together or going for a walk.

If you have a family gathering to attend, take the student with you!

Good luck and enjoy the new dynamic in your home. I trust that you will find the experience very rewarding.