Resources
If you’ve never hosted before check out our Host Family Guide Book, it gives some tips and tricks to help families get the most out of the experience.
Check out our FREE Japanese student planner designed for our host families. Before your student arrives, print a copy and fill in your family routine. Share it with your student or stick on the fridge to help them learn your family’s routines and take the pressure off memorising it.
information session Q&A
Q. If our student is going to school on public transport do we need to tell anyone?
A. We ask that students only take public transport if they are accompanied by an adult or their school buddy. If that’s the case, please let us know so we can organise a Transperth Smart Rider which will be given to your student on arrival at the airport. If your student uses a private bus service such as Horizon West both the school and Gold are unable to give them access to their e-ticketing system.
Q. I have a student here for 5 days are they only coming to Perth or will they be going to other states?
A. The students will only be coming to Perth, it’s a brief but hopefully memorable stay.
Q. Should we let the teachers know at school that there will be a Japanese student shadowing our child?
A. If your child is a school buddy the teachers will be aware that the Japanese students will be attending their classes.
Q. If they are at school together but in a different group will they see each other?
A. If your child is going to the same school as the Japanese student the language teacher organising the visit may buddy them up so they attend the same classes but this isn’t always possible and is ultimately up to the discretion of the school.
Q. For those of us who don’t have a child at the same school will there be someone to meet the Japanese student?
A. When you drop your student off they’ll be greeted by one of our coordinators then they’ll be paired up with a student from that school who will become their buddy. They will join their buddy in their regular classes.
Q. I assume there will be a drop-off point at the school each morning?
A. Yes, we’ve indicated the drop-off and pick-up points for each school in the map attached to the student itinerary.
Q. Do they do anything else apart from what is on their student itinerary?
A. The student itinerary outlines everything the student will do during their stay.
Q. My itinerary says UWA has it changed to Curtin?
A. Each group has a slightly different itinerary some will go to Curtin University others will go to UWA.
Q. Should I be prepared to give my student a lunch box.
A. Yes please, if you have a spare lunchbox or Tupperware please allow your student to use it during their time here.
Q. Do we prepare meals for excursion days?
A. Yes please it’s not always possible for the students to buy their lunches while on excursions. So please prepare lunch unless specified on your itinerary.
Q. What is attracting them to come here?
A. Our great weather, beautiful city and amazing Perth hospitality😀
Q. My daughter walks to the car park to get picked up is that ok?
A. That’s completely fine for the Japanese student to follow the routine of their school buddy.
Q. Do you have a recommendation for a good translation app?
A. We find google translate is the quickest and easiest otherwise Pocket Talk is pretty good.
Q. Will they get homework?
A. No, they won’t be given any homework.
Q. Do they need to follow our screentime rules?
A. Absolutely, please make them aware of all the house rules you expect them to follow. If there’s difficulty communicating this please let us know.
Q. Is it realistic to ask that photos of my kids not to be shared on social media? I’m okay with photos being taken as mementos
A. Absolutely if you'd prefer images of your kids aren't posted to social media please tell your student. If your kids are caught on camera in any of the footage we film and it ends up on our page please let us know and we'll edit them out if that’s your preference.
Q. When the host students come, will they have an Australian phone number? Who will provide the sim card?
A: Yes, they’ll either be roaming or will use Wi-Fi to keep in touch with their family.
Q. I know we can ask what the student food dislikes/likes were, but will we get informed of any dietary needs or allergies?
A: If the Japanese students have any allergies it will be mentioned in the student profile
Q. Is it okay for us to share a picture on social media of the Japanese student that we host with our Facebook friends? Have the Japanese families indicated if it is okay for us to post?
A: Yes their parents have consented to images of their children being shared on social media if it’s in context to the student visit.
Q. Will the Japanese students required to wear uniform to school?
A: They will be wearing their own school uniforms.
Q. Where can we find the handbook?
A: You can find it below.
Q. Do we have to go into the school to pick up our Japanese student or can my son/daughter pick the Japanese student up and walk together to the carpark?
A: The Japanese student can walk with your student to the car.
Q: Is there an expectation to reach out to the students, in particular to the parents before their arrival?
A: There’s no expectation but if you would like to make contact by email or FaceTime please ask your student to help put you in touch.
Q: Is there a drop-off point at the school each morning and the school takes it from there?
A: We have included a map in your student itinerary indicating the drop-off and pick-up locations.
Q: What is the time difference between Perth and Japan?
A: Japan is 1 hour ahead of Perth.
Q: Do we need to provide them a backpack to take to school?
A: They will bring their own backpacks.
More Q&A to come…