University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year

Mary Powell

Frances Ross

Homestay Newsletter

Another new year is upon us - Thank you to all our families for their

ongoing support and welcome to the new families we have recently

taken on.

Happy hosting for 2014!

Homestay Newsletter

University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year

Public Holidays

Foundation Year will be closed on the following public holidays in 2014:

• GoodFriday18April2014

• OtagoAnniversaryDay22April2014

• AnzacDay25April2014

• Queen’sBirthday2June2014

• LabourDay27October2014

• Christmas/NewYear20December2014until4January2015(classesresumeon5January2015).

Medical Attention

Ifyourstudentrequiresanymedicalattentionduring9.00am-5.00pm they can make an appointmentwithStudentHealth,cornerofWalshandAlbanyStreets,phone4798212.After hours and weekends they should visit theUrgentDoctorsat95HanoverStreet,phone4792900andalwayskeeptheirreceipt toclaimbackontheirinsurancecover.

Language Centre datesMidtermrecess 21-25April2014MidtermOrientation 24April2014Classesstart 28April2014Termends 13June2014

Foundation Year DatesTerm 1Classesfinish 13June2014Exams 2-13June2014Term 2Classesstart 23June2014Classesfinish 10October2014Exams 29September-10OctoberClassesResume 20October2014

Short Term groups

Thisyearwehavehadthelargestnumberofgroupsattending our English Language Courses to date.Approximately 90 short term students have spentthe past 1-2 months with us studying. We wouldespeciallyliketoacknowledgeallfamilieswhohostedone of our group students – you can feel totallyproud of yourselves for being such an awesomeambassador forourcity.Byofferingyourpatience,timeandunderstandingyouhaveenrichedtheirtimehereinsomanyways.

Duetotheshorttimeframethestudentsarehere–theydorequirealittlemoreofyourtimeandenergy.This is because theywould like to experience andsee asmuch ofNewZealand life as possiblewiththeir host families. This can include even simpleinexpensiveactivitieslikewalkingonthebeach,thebotanic gardensandmaybe short familyoutings toviewourcountryside.Thankyoutothehoststhathavemanagedtofitsomeoftheseactivitiesinwiththeirstudent.

Short term students are not suitable for everyhostingsituation–soifyoufeelyouwouldprefertohavealongertermstudentratherthanashorttermgroupstudent,justletusknowthisatthetimeweringyou.Weunderstandthatnotallfamilieshavethetimetodevotetoashortstaystudent.

Once the students return to their Universities inJapantheypassontheirpositiveexperiencesandthisinturnencouragesmoregroupsthefollowingyear.

Homestay Newsletter

University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year

Homestay Newsletter

University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year

Host mobile phones are essential when picking up your studentPleasemakesureyouhaveyourmobilephoneonyouwhenpickingupstudentsfromtheairportorstadiumcarpark.Sometimesthereareunexpecteddelaysandifwehavetocontactyouinahurry,amobilephonecontactisthequickestmethod.

Saving Face - what it means in the Asian cultures

Forthebenefitofournewhostswehavedocumentedsomeinformationtohelpyouunderstandalittleoftheconceptof“losingface“.

Savingfaceisperhapssomethingthatsomeofyoumaynotbeawareof.Theconceptof“face”paysapartinrelationshipsbetweenallpeople.MuchofthebehaviouradoptedbyAsianculturesisbasedonmakingsurethatnoonelosesface.Asiancountriestendtobemoreformalandpoliteandlessphysicalandpersonalintheireverydaydealingsthan“Westerners”.

ToavoidlosingfacesomeAsianculturesrarelysay“no”directly,noraskadirectquestionorgiveadirectorder.Equally,“yes”maynotalwaysmeantheyagree.InWesterncountries, the ideaofdirect facial confrontation isnormal. “Speakyourmind” is somethingNewZealandersdo freely.This is in direct contrast toAsian cultureswherebeing frankorpotentiallyembarrassinganotherpersonisfrownedupon.Asiancultureswilltrynevertodoanythingtocauselossofface.Therefore,theydonotopenlycriticise,insultorputanyoneonthespot.Facecanbelost,takenaway,orearnedthroughpraiseandthanks.

Tipforhostfamilies:“Whenhosting a student fromanAsian country, try to avoid “Western style” confrontationwith yourstudent.Itisadvisabletostaycalmandbeawareofsaving/losingface.Raisingvoices,showingfacialannoyanceorshowinganyfrustrationcanbeeasilyinterpretedbyyourstudentasaverynegativeexperience.StudentsoftenasktheAccommodationstafftomovethemtoanotherhomestayshouldthishappenevenonce.Thisisallduetothelossoffaceasdiscussedabove.”

Buses

CatchingbusesinsomesuburbsofDunedincanbefrustrating–weheardofonestudentwaitingoveranhourforthebus–whichneverdidarrive!Withwinteronlyaroundthecorneritcanbeacoldandwetexperienceforthemiftheymisstheirbus.Agoodideaistosuggesttoyourstudenttowaitforthebusperhaps5minutesbeforeitisdue.Itisalsoagoodideatocheckyourstudentisstandingontherightsideoftheroadastheycanbetotallydisorientatedintheirearlydays.

Manystudentsareusedtobikingintheirhomelandandmayshowaninterestinbikinghere.IfthisisthecasepleasebeverysurethatyourstudentunderstandstheNewZealandroadrulesandthedangersinvolved.PleaseshowyourstudentthesafestroutetotheLanguageCentreandifpossibletravelwiththemsoyoucanjudgewhetheryourstudentissafeonourroads.

Homestay Newsletter

University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year

Bedroom HeatersAsInternationalstudentsarenotfamiliarwiththedifferenttypesofheaterswehaveinourhomes,pleasetaketimetoexplaintoyourstudenthowtheirheaterworks.Somestudentsrecentlysaidtheydidnothaveaheaterintheirroombutuponspeakingwiththehostfamilyitwasintheirroombutthestudentdidnotrecog-niseit.

Electric Blanket ChecksAswinterisjustaroundthecornernowisprobablyagoodtimetoarrangetohaveyourelectricblanketscheckedforyourfamilyandstudents.AsInternationalstudentsarenotfamiliarwithelectricblanketspleaseshowthemhowtousethemsafely.Pleasepromptyourstudentsastheyareleavingforclassinthemorningtomakesuretheyhaveturnedtheirelectricblanketoff.Ifyouareconcernedpleasechecktomakesure.

Arrival of your new studentIfyoureceivearrivaldetailsdirectlyfromyourstudent–nottheAccommodationOffice–pleaseringandletusknow.Veryoccasionallythisdoeshappenandasourofficehasnotbeenofficiallynotifiedwecannotstartthepaymentstoyou.