Title: Homestay Our families are a smorgasbord of diversity
			
Jane: We started to host international students when a peer of Johns at work was saying that PBC (Palm Beach Currumbin State High school) was looking for host families. 
We are empty nesters and we have enough room and just talking about all the good things about being a host family. So we said we'll go to a meeting and we went to a meeting and the rest is history. That was 13 years ago.			

John: We want to supply the people that come over here with a safe home. And we live close to the beach, close to the school. You know, it's just perfect for the kids. So you know, I want to share that.
			
Jane: One of our favourite times are, we walk our dogs we have two border collies. She is going to run. Run, go go! It's good to go down the beach and walk and catch up. 
Jane (to Maria): Did you play soccer in Portugal?"
			
Maria: No, I just played it for fun with my friends because, like it is the main sport back in Portugal. You know Ronaldo? He is the best player in the world!
			
Jane: Teenagers are teenagers, it doesn't matter if they're from Portugal or from Greece or from Australia- you need to have those golden moments.
Jane to Maria: I think they make really good Portuguese tarts here.
Maria: Yeah? we'll have to see about that! I have to try it first.
			
Jane: You connect with all different kinds of people and to connect with a teenager it's a lovely thing. It keeps you young. 

John: They're always saying if ever, and this is the parent's too, come to Europe or wherever. Please let us know where you are and it doesn't matter where you are in Europe. We'll come and visit you.
			
Sharon:  One of the reasons why we became a homestay family, apart from the fact that we wanted our daughter to grow up with other siblings, was the fact that we love to travel. We have met up with the girls in many different places around the world. 
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a homestay family, all the long term relationships that you start out with here in our country, in Australia, and you continue to carry on forever. 
			
I can't imagine a day that goes by where we don't think of some of them, all of them, and just think how they've really enriched our lives.
Kay:  Amelia came to stay with us about three years ago, so she was our first student that we had. And then Rachel overlapped with Amelia. So we actually had two of them for around probably four months. I think, at the same time. So we've done a lot of things all together. And my daughters certainly have had a big sister in both of them. I guess I still feel like I'm their second Mom, as it were, just the fact we spent so much time together and we shared home as a family. I still I'm proud of them both, and I just still would like to continue, you know, holding that.
			
Deb: Life with the homestay student is for us. We love it. So we get to find out more about them. They become part of our family. The relationship between Katelyn and Kyla is like sisters. Kayla is chatty and very vibrant. She's constantly laughing.  The help that we receive from EQI (Education Queensland International) is invaluable. So if there was ever to be a problem or I have a question they are only a phone call away.
I would say to those that are looking or interested in becoming a home family to go for it. These students are absolutely wonderful. They are here to learn and be part of your family. You'll find it's not just for that period that they are in your home. It is for life.
			
Sharon: People say, oh, it's a lot of work. It's a lot of work. But everything worthwhile is a lot of work. 
Kay: Seeing them succeed is just a great joy.			
Sharon: The fact that these guys just become integrated into your lives like they are just mine, in my heart. These are more than just girls who came to stay at our house. These are truly my family.
			
Title: For more information email homestay.EQI@qed.qld.gov.au