The International team has put together this section to help you adjust to and understand what an Invercargill kiwi homestay is all about. If you have any questions or problems relating to your homestay, please contact Liz Murch on international@sit.ac.nz.
Bathing and showering
New Zealand homes have bath tubs, showers or both. Most homes have hot water cylinders and this contains all the hot water for the house, so ask your homestay family when you can bathe or shower. Unlike many other countries this creates a limit to the amount of hot water available. Our floors do not have drains and will not dry quickly, so do not splash around too much. After bathing you should wipe the bath tub and mop up the water on the floor.
Electricity
You may want to bring electrical appliances to New Zealand with you. New Zealand's electricity supply is 230 volts, single phase and 50 hertz. You will ruin your appliance if you plug it into the wrong supply. Please use a transformer. These are available in New Zealand.
Meal times
Usually meals in New Zealand are eaten between the following times during the week:
Breakfast: 7.00 am - 8.30 am
Lunch: 12.00 pm - 1.00 pm
Dinner/Tea: 5.50 pm - 7.30 pm
New Zealanders also enjoy short snack breaks called morning tea (around 10.00 am), afternoon tea (around 3.00 pm) and supper (around 8.30 pm). Please notify your host before 5.00pm if you are not going to be home for dinner.
Typical foods
Breakfast: Cereal, toast, fruit and a hot drink
Morning tea: Tea or coffee and a biscuit
Lunch: Sandwiches with a meat or salad filling, fruit, fruit drink
Afternoon tea: Tea or coffee and a biscuit
Dinner: Meat and three vegetables (usually includes potatoes)
Sometimes a dessert
Pets
Many New Zealand families have a pet, usually a dog or cat. Take time to get to know the family pets as they are often an important part of the family.
Guidelines for Students in Homestays
The following guidelines are intended to help you and your host family get along well together.
- It is important to be friendly, polite and discuss any problems which arise - just as you would in your own family.
- Homestay payments are $210 per week.
- Homestay money is an agreed payment for a set service. Check with your family or the International Student Adviser if you need to.
- Payment of homestay fees must be two weeks in advance.
- If you are going to leave your homestay, you must give at least one weeks notice to both your homestay and the International Student Adviser. If one weeks notice is not given you will not be entitled to a refund of the money paid in advance.
- If you intend to be away overnight or for a weekend, please inform your homestay as soon as possible.
- If you are going away for one week or more you must give at least one week's notice to both your homestay and the International Student Adviser. For each full week you are away your homestay fee will be $92.50 instead of the usual $210.
- Let your host family know if you will be away for a meal.
- Fit in with the household. Help on occasions is appreciated; especially things like doing dishes and getting in the washing if it rains and you are the only one home.
- Come in quietly if late. If something goes wrong with your arrangements and you know you will not be home at the time you said, please ring and let your homestay know - people worry.
- Record and pay for toll calls separately.
- You may need to buy "extra" food yourself. For example chips, chocolate, soft drink. Homestays are not expected to provide alcohol, cigarettes or "junk food".
- Always check that it is okay to invite friends over and that your friends leave at an agreed time.
Finally, enjoy this experience of another family and another way of life! Many students become life-long friends with the people they homestay with. If you have a problem that you can't deal with, please come and see Liz, or one of the International staff.