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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.
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