Student's name: Alice Lai;
I am a year 13 student who lives in a kiwi home where I feel like a part of the family. I enjoy my own space in the house as well, where I can actually study and relax at. They introduced me to the New Zealand culture and I've really enjoyed spending time with them. Every morning I can have whatever I like to eat and I will be given a very fancy packged lunchbox. They are very caring people and make me feel right at home.

Student's name: Sara Zhao;
My homestay mum is very kind to me. Both of us like Jazz therefore we listen to some Jazz music together everyday. She takes care of me very well and make me feel part of the family. We have two cats and I love playing with them.

Homestay Parent's name: Rewena Bullock;
It was with some trepidation that I went to Carmel school on a fine Sunday last March to pick up Patcharamai and Boonsu, my home stay girls from Thailand. I hadn't been a homestay parent before and really didn't know what to expect. But I needn't have worried,we soon got to know each other ! Their English was fine and it really improved during their 4 weeks with us. We went for walks to the beach and explored our local area every day. They were very keen to see and do whatever was on offer - they loved camping on Waiheke Island and even cheered at the stock car racing !. They learnt to boogie board in the ocean, walked in black sand at Piha , climbed hills with us and taught us how to cook Thai food. At home they are too busy with school work and travel and study so they loved to cook and shop for ingredients almost every day. I really enjoyed learning about their lives back in Thailand but one of the loveliest things was rediscovering our love of New Zealand through their eyes. Patcharamai taught me a little about her Buddhist religion and how at home they meditate as a family every day. They were delightfully behaved and helpful around the home.When it came to saying goodbye, a tear fell down my cheek we had become so close! I look forward to another home stay experience one day soon .