What does volunteer hosting imply? Volunteer host families "adopt" a son or a daughter for either the whole or part of the school year. The student becomes a member of your family, participating in all aspects of your daily life - family gatherings, holidays and even short vacations.

Who can become a host family? STS host families come from all walks of life. They include urban families, farming families, couples and individuals, with or without children. To be eligible you must be over 25 and able to provide meals and a bed. The most important qualification is the right attitude. STS host parents are caring, open-minded, understanding and interested in learning about other cultures. They are the kind of people you would want your own children to live with if they travelled overseas.

How do I become a host family? To initiate the process of becoming a host family, complete the application form on our website. We will contact you and give you more information on the program and your obligations. After confirmation of your application, a local STS representative will visit you at your home, talk with all the members of your family and answer your questions. If your family is selected, you will work with the STS representative to choose a student who fits your family, local school and community.

Who are STS exchange students? STS students are enthusiastic high school students aged 15 to 18. Most of them are Europeans (Scandinavians, Dutch, German, Swiss, French, Italians, Austrians, Polish, Czech), the others being Canadians or Brazilians. They have a strong desire to learn about Australia and to act as ambassadors for their countries. STS staff carefully screen all students in their home countries to determine whether they have the maturity, academic achievements, language skills and other personal skills to make the most of their experience in Australia.

How long do students stay? Students stay for either 11 or 5-6 months. They arrive either in late January or early July.

How are STS students selected for a host family? We consider many factors before selecting potential students for your family. We look at the students' interests, personality, attitude and values. Then we match these characteristics to what we know about your family, community and school. You will choose your student among the ones we selected for you.

What if it doesn't work out? STS staff are fully prepared to find another family for your student if the hosting experience does not work out for you or if the "chemistry" between your family and the student doesn't seem right. Most times misunderstandings or problems are resolved with the help of the STS local representative. If a move becomes necessary, STS places no blame or fault on the student or the family.

How much does it cost to host? Host families provide food and lodging. Students provide their own spending money for long distance phone calls, local transport costs and other travel expenses, special subjects costs and extra curricular activities, personal items such as clothing and toiletries. All STS exchange students are covered by the Overseas Student Health Cover and an additional private health, accident and travel insurance.

Do host families receive compensation for hosting? STS host families are volunteers and do not receive any compensation for hosting. This is required by the Departments of Education of Australia and by the official instances in all countries welcoming exchange students. Therefore we can guarantee that our host families really want to share their lives with a student and that they will treat a student like a member of the family.

How do I integrate a student into my family life? Treat your student as your own son or daughter. Time spent with friends outside the home is an important part of the student's learning experience but he/she will also have to participate in your family's activities. Establish guidelines for his/her behaviour as you would for your own children. Shortly after he/she arrives, explain your rules, as well as your expectations regarding household responsibilities and duties. STS students are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages, take illegal drugs or drive a vehicle. Students who violate these rules are immediately sent home.