LSNZ Homestay Tips and Conditions

Follow these tips to have a great New Zealand homestay experience!

Homestay Tips

• Write a letter or email to your homestay family before you arrive.
  
  
• When you stay with a New Zealand family you are part of the family. Have fun together, do things together and co-operate with each other. Also it means to be considerate.
  
  
• Tell your family if you will be home late so they won’t worry.
  
  
• Tell your family in advance if you don't need a meal.
  
  
• Talk with your family as much as you can to practise your English.
  
  
• Answer questions clearly with "yes" or "no". If you don’t want something you can say "No, thank you".
  
  
• Say "thank you" when someone does something for you, for example after dinner.
  
  
• Like others in the family, make your own bed, help to wash the dishes, and keep the house and your room tidy.
  
  
• Offer a cup of tea or coffee to others if you are making it.
  
  
• Take short showers (about 10 minutes). Electricity in New Zealand is very expensive and hot water is limited. Ask your homestay family when you should take a shower.
  
  
• Spend less time in the bathroom especially if there is only one bathroom. Remember that in the morning everyone has to use it.
  
  
• Turn off the heater or electric blanket when you sleep. Otherwise it can be dangerous and uses a lot of electricity.
  
  
• Call your home country with a phone card or “collect call”. Calls within the city are free. Calls to cell phone and other cities have to be paid.
  
  
• Explain the time difference to friends and family in your country and tell them not to call between 10:00pm and 8:00am New Zealand time.
  
  
• If you have a problem, talk to your family or call the school, the manager or Homestay Co-ordinator.
  
  

Homestay Conditions

• Students under the age of 18 must stay in a homestay or with a guardian approved by their parents and may not request a refund without parental consent.

• The school will send you your homestay family information when we receive your fees.
  
  
• Homestay is available on a weekly basis. Part weeks are charged at a cost per day.
  
  
• Homestays include breakfast and dinner Monday to Friday and three meals per day in the weekend. There is no refund for meals not taken or for holidays of less than a week.
  
  
• If you are taking a holiday, your room can be kept for you at a reduced cost per week (retainer fee).
  
  
• There is no refund for homestay fees in the first four weeks.  After this students may request a refund for homestay fees.
  
  
• If you want to change or finish your homestay or take a holiday, you must tell us two weeks in advance.
  
  
• Students should leave their homestay at the completion of their studies.
  
  
• The School acts only as an agent in arranging and paying for homestay accommodation.
  
  
• If you are not happy with your homestay for any reason, please tell the Homestay Co-ordinator, school manager or your teacher.
  
  
• Other accommodation include hostels, backpackers, hotels or a flat (apartment), which we will help you find.