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About Homestay

Wed, 19 May 2010 08:46:50 +0100

Homestay is a cultural exchange between a local individual or family (called a “Homestay Host”) and a visiting International Student who comes to live as a guest in their home while they are studying in Australia. The Homestay experience helps the student understand the culture and customs of the region in which they are studying.

During a Homestay, the Host provides the Student with all their basic needs, including their own room, food and space to study. In return, the Student pays a weekly fee, called a “Homestay fee”. Over the period of their time together the Host assists the Student to become familiar with the local area and customs in a relaxed and friendly household setting. The Student is also encouraged to share with the Host information about their home country and culture. This interaction is what makes Homestay ideal for someone looking for a unique cultural experience.

Homestay is very popular in Australia because of the large number of International Students who come to study at Australian schools, universities and language colleges. Studynstay.com recommends The Australian Homestay Network which provides national standards for Homestay, designed to improve the process for everyone involved while ensuring both Students and their Homestay Hosts get the most out of their time together.

How Students Will Benefit

•    Trained and supported host environment
•    Improved communication through online portal
•    Online Homestay payment records
•    Enhanced cultural and Homestay experience
•    24/7 emergency assistance and insurance
•    24 HourAssistance – AHN Students

Options After Homestay

Students normally stay in Homestay for around 28 days before progressing onto shared accommodation www.studynstay.com is a specialist on-line student accommodation provider with access to a number of shared accommodation options around South East Queensland.

Student Safety

Wed, 19 May 2010 07:53:24 +0100

Being a student is an exciting time where you will make new friends and experience different learning opportunities.
It is important to enjoy your city and your campus, our tips will assist to protect you from unsafe situations.

Safety on campus

Get to know the layout of your campus including safe paths and exits.
Contact a staff member immediately if you observe anything suspicious occurring in or around the campus.
Report any threatening behaviour immediately to a staff member.
Move away any threatening behaviour where possible.
Do not leave valuables such as wallets or mobile phones unattended.
Avoid isolated areas and move around campus with other students where possible.
Avoid leaving the campus alone.

Safety on transport

Use a timetable to plan your travel and avoid unnecessary delays.
Choose well lit busy areas rather than dark quiet spots.
Travel close to the guard or driver.
Where possible exit transport into well lit busy areas.
Be aware of who is around including who gets off with you.
Consider carrying a personal alarm.

Safety on the street

Stay alert as awareness is your best defense.
Cross the street if you fell unsafe.
Be confident and aware of your surroundings.
Keep to well lit major roads and paths at night, do not take short cuts through parks.
If approached by a stranger keep a safe distance.
If approached for money advise you have no cash, avoid eye contact and move toward other people.
If you are being followed change direction and seek a safe place.
Keep personal items such as wallets and bags close to your body or out of sight.
Have your keys ready to quickly enter your home or car.

Safety whilst driving and parking

Make sure you have enough fuel to reach your location.
Do not respond to aggressive behaviour and avoid eye contact with others.
Drive your car with doors locked and windows closed at all times.
Keep valuables out of view.
Park in well lit areas.
Car parks with an attendant are best.

General safety steps to take right now

Take the time to consider where you might be at risk and what steps you can take to make it safe.
Program the emergency number 000 into your mobile phone.
Tell people where you are going and what time you will return.
Avoid carrying non-essential items such as passport and too much money.
Report any incident to police or campus staff.

Why Choose the Sunshine Coast

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:24:32 +0100

The Sunshine Coast is a world re-known exciting Study Tour destination spoilt with an abundance of sea and beach activities and variety of attractions. The coastline is cradled by it’s beautifully picturesque famous hinterland and Glass House Mountains.

Over 30 beaches
An average of 300 days of sunshine year round
World-class attractions like Australia Zoo and Underwater World

A key component of a study tour is interaction with the local community with excursions and tours. Study’n’Stay students can combine study with lots of fun things to do, for example, they can mix and match a range of comprehensive English Language Study programs with a Sports Tour package which could including Surfing, Golf, Tennis or Sailing with a price and package to suit everyone’s personal needs, interest and budget.

Quality accommodation options
Fully qualified teachers
A range of sport activities
Professional sports coaching
Fully escorted tours
Airport domestic transfers
A true Australian experience

International Students often do a little travelling in between study or after completing their study, and with so many travel choices up and down the eastern seaboard they can easily book all their travel and accommodation through the Study’n’Stay network that have access to over 100 short-break accommodation options, just to list a few

Airlie Beach for snorkling on the Great Barrier Reef
Hervey Bay for the Whale Watching
Fraser Island for taboggoning on giant sand dunes
Caloundra, Sunshine Coast with over 40 sports and recreation options
Noosa for it’s bio-diversity and nature tours
Tangalooma Island where you can hand-feed the dolphins
Gold Coast for the glitz and glamour
Byron Bay for just chilling out and surfing

Opening a Bank Account

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:44:42 +0100

Arriving in a new city is tough, particularly if you are an International student arriving from overseas or an Australian student travelling from interstate or regional Australia. As a student living on the coast it is important to ensure that you have ready access to funds to meet various expenses as they arise.  One of the first things you will need to consider is opening a bank account.

Immediate Expenses:
As a new arrival you will have to find reasonable amounts of money in the first couple of weeks to cover: 

Acquiring any items needed for your new accommodation. While our accommodtion apartments come furnished there are always incidental personal items that you will need to purchase. For example towels, bed sheets etc. (depending upon how much you have been able to bring with you)
Connecting mobile phone • Initial students costs (books, stationery)
Joining clubs, gyms, societies and other community groups often require some upfront membership payments While these items can often be paid for in cash or via credit card, most people appreciate the ability and option to pay via a bank account and indeed in some instances providers of student apartments or shared apartments/shared housing will be reluctant to provide student accommodation without proof of a bank account

Why open a local bank account?

Some student accommodation providers require this as a minimum requirement and may want to set up direct debit arrangements for payments of rent from your bank account
Provides more ways to pay (direct debit, BPAY,)
Avoids you holding too much cash at any time
Local banks have AMT machines at the student accommodation providing easier access to your funds
Most of the major banks have good internet banking systems so you can easily manage your money on-line. This can be harder with some credit card providers
Payment by credit cards can be expensive and a surcharge is often added

Which bank should I join?
There are four major bank providers who operate throughout mainland Australia: 

CBA (Commonwealth Bank of Australia)
NAB (National Australia Bank)
ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group)
Westpac

There are other Queensland based banks that are well represented in terms of bank branches and cash machines: 

Bank of Queensland
Suncorp Metway

These banks all provide a similar service and are generally keen to attract student customers. They are typically well represented on or near the student campus and often offer attractive deals to entice new student customers so it is worthwhile reviewing what each of them has to offer.

All the above banks provide a full service of banking products including credit cards, overseas cash transfers, cheque cards, savings accounts etc. There are also a range of smaller financial institutions and banks but it probably makes sense to initially join one of the more established providers as they have more customers on their books, generally better systems and are well represented throughout mainland Australia (in the likely event that you do some traveling during your time as a student in Brisbane).

What information do I need?
Banks can be quite particular about proving identification; particularly for overseas customers and the more you can provide the better. At a minimum you should take to the bank:

Passport
Drivers Licence
Proof of address (this can be a utility bill or lease agreement for your shared accommodation, student apartment etc.)

For overseas students it can sometimes be helpful if you can provide a letter from your overseas bank which often has a relationship with one of the major banks listed above and can provide a recommendation.

How long does it take?
Particularly at the start of an academic year, it can take several days for the bank to review and process your application and then send you out the relevant details. This can be a very frustrating time as you will be looking to incur some substantial expenses. Accordingly, when you arrive in Caloundra, make sure you have both a credit card (with a reasonable spending limit) and some cash to cover the period until you have opened a local bank account.

Australia says G’day

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:43:30 +0100

Australia says G’day to more international students

With a reputation for high academic standards, a great climate, lifestyle and a safe and secure destination it’s not surprising that Australia is now the 3rd most popular destination in the world for international students and Queensland is now the 3rd largest export market in Australia.

Our own research showed that the market is growing and that almost 500,000 international students now choose to study down under.

We know that a high number of students want to study English as well as their chosen vocational training with an ever increasing demand for Sports Training Students. As one of the fastest growing markets is Sports + English and Caloundra boasts one of the best Pro Tennis & Golf Academies.