What to expect on arrival
It is normal to feel anxious when you first move to a new country. You don’t know what will happen and who you will be living with. Your new home may be very different from what you have experienced before. The house, the people, the customs, the food, the language; everything may seem strange at first. Try to accept the differences rather than comparing them to your home country. Remember, you are here to learn about a new culture and gradually, you will get used to your new environment and start enjoying yourself.
- When you first meet your homestay family you both might be a little nervous. It may be hard to communicate with them at first, but your family will try to make it as easy as possible. Non-verbal communication will help you to express yourself, and carrying a dictionary with you will also be useful.
- Your family is there to help you adjust to your new environment. They want to help you if you have any difficulties. However, they won’t know what you like and dislike, and what you find difficult, unless you tell them. If you don’t know how to say something, it may be helpful to draw a picture, or point to it in the dictionary.
- Bring items such as photos, posters and music from home to remind you of family and friends. This will make you feel more comfortable and less homesick. However, it is normal to miss your friends and family and at times want to go home. This is part of the adjustment process and in time you will feel happier and more ‘at home’ in your new environment.
- One way to remember your experiences, and also see how far you have come is to keep a journal. Read back on it each week and you will realise how much you are learning and starting to settle in. This will be encouraging and you will start to feel proud of your achievements.