Accommodation Services/ Homestay Program

December 2014, Vol. I

Hello Hosts,
Firstly, I want to thank you for your involvement in the UTAS Homestay Program this
year. It has been my pleasure to get to know you and begin partnering with you in
making the homestay program a 'cultural experience'! I know we still have plenty of
changes to make but we have made huge leaps and bounds this year already!

CHANGES
In 2015, there will be more changes implemented and some will take effect
immediately:
1. Homestay Host Payments
2. Homestay Student First 5 weeks
3. Homestay Holiday Rate
1. Homestay Host Payments
Current: Paid two weeks in advance.
New in 2015: to streamline payments to match student payments and to avoid
overpayments, Homestay Host payments will be made in arrears.
2015 payments will be as such:
Paid: 16 January (period 3 Jan - 9 Jan; 1 week)
Paid: 30 January (10 Jan - 23 Jan)
Every 2 weeks thereafter
2. Homestay Student First 5 weeks
Current: Students were required to pay five weeks rent in advance but could leave
homestay with no financial penalty within the first 14 days.
New in 2015: Students will still pay 5 weeks rent in advance and this amount will be
completely non-refundable, even if they choose to move out within the first 35 days
(5 weeks).
This is in the hopes that it will encourage students who really want the homestay
experience to apply and then for them to commit to staying longer to try to make a
go of it. Also, to protect hosts from students who move in/out quickly, treating
homestay as a hotel/jumping point until something else is arranged.
3. Homestay Holiday Rate (Easter/Christmas)
Current: students can apply for a reduced (50%) rate of their homestay fees for days
5-14 (Easter/Christmas holiday period only). Hosts are also paid a reduced rate for
those days.
New for 2015: The holiday rate will apply for up to a maximum of 7 consecutive days
at the 50% reduced rate. So the first 7 days a student is away (as long as they have
applied), they can pay the reduced rate. Any further days away after that, it will be
the normal homestay rate.

**********************************************************************************
****

STUDY TOURS
Our first tour from China arrives on 4th January. We have four Japanese tours arriving
in the beginning of February.
If you have missed signing up to host a Study Tour student in Feb/March, please
contact Camille ASAP!
**********************************************************************************
****

SOCIAL EVENTS put in your calendar!

WHAT: Coffee & Catch up for hosts
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, 20th January, 10.30am
WHERE: TBA
RSVP: to Camille by 16th January
*A reminder will be sent in January with more information but mark it down!
WHAT: Summer BYO BBQ for hosts AND students
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 28 February, 11am 2.30pm
WHERE: Waterworks Reserve
RSVP: to Camille by 20 February
*A reminder will be sent in January with more information but mark it down!
**********************************************************************************
****
Finally, I want to say thank you for your input, feedback, honesty, and most of all for
sharing your lives with our students! I look forward to continuing to partner with you
to make our program better in 2015.
I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and happy & safe New Year.
Ill see you in 2015!

Camille

Please note that the University of Tasmania/Accommodation Services will

be closed for the Christmas and New Year break from 12noon on Wednesday 24th
December 2014 and will open again at 8:30am on Monday, 5 January 2015.