My name is Rumi Tanabe and I would like to thank Homestay Direct for placing me with such a great family who welcomed me to Australia. I had been so nervous before I arrived because I had no friends here. But they were always friendly, cheerful and helpful for me. They tried to listen to me, ask how was the day to help my English.

Whilst I was in homestay for five months, my English improved dramatically. I would recommend homestay to any international students coming to a new country. The time I spent with my host family was precious for me, and will be remembered as a special time in my life.

Thank you Homestay Direct.

15 September, 2006.

Before I came to Australia I had no experience in homestay and I was very nervous about my new adventure.

Now that I have arrived in Australia I can say that being in an Australian home with kind, caring people helped me to settle into my new lifestyle much faster than I expected. I can go to my new school and study with confidence as I am feeling very happy that I have a fantastic Australian family to go home to, with nice healthy cooked meals every night, with dessert!!!

I would recommend Homestay Direct to any international students that would like a easy and friendly introduction to Australia!!!

Thank you Homestay Direct!!!

I came to Australia at the age of 15, I had no idea what living in the Homestay is all about? Just simply knew it as living with an Aussie family and I would be treated same as my own parents.

At first, it was a bit shocking for me to get use to a new culture- the way they wash their dishes, toilet is built separately, and we have to do our own laundry, bed, breakfast, unlike in my country where everything was prepared by either my mother or the maid.

But after a while living with my host family, I have realised it is a great experience to learn and enjoy. My English has improved only in few months compared to my classmate at school as well as my ascent.

I have learnt how to take care and doing things for myself without any reliance. My host mother takes me everywhere: garage sale, Sunday market, Melbourne show and so on. Even though I am now 18, I don't need to have someone to be my guardian anymore but I still choose to live in the Homestay. The reason for that is I want to be loved by my host mother and also to learn more about this culture.