Australian Homestay Network (AHN)
Urgent Call for Sydneysiders
to Host International Students This Christmas
SYDNEY, Australia – 18 November 2020: Sydney residents who have a spare room and Aussie hospitality to share are being urged to welcome stranded international students into their home as we come into the Christmas holidays.
With more than 254,000 international students residing in New South Wales as at the end of September and strict border controls still in place, many students are facing the prospect of spending the holiday season away from their family.
The Australian Homestay Network (AHN), which established the International Student Support Network (ISSN) in April to assist onshore students impacted by COVID-19, needs Sydney locals to join its homestay hosting community now and in time for pre-Christmas holiday placements.
AHN Founder, David Bycroft, said more than 740 students from 43 countries had already been placed or approved for homestays across Sydney but more hosts are needed in key locations as demand for temporary accommodation continues.
"These students are away from home and their loved ones at a very difficult time," Mr Bycroft said.
"We all need to imagine ourselves in a similar situation: if it were our kids overseas, we would want the people of that country to look after our children."
Mr Bycroft added that with cultural exchange being a significant part of the homestay experience, Christmas was an ideal time to get involved.
"Having a sense of empathy and community spirit is really important at a time like this," he said.
AHN host, Leigh Morgan, has hosted two students through the ISSN and said she is "really proud to be part of the Australian Homestay Network" to help international students.
"A simple act of kindness can go a long way," Ms Morgan said.
"I hope they (international students) know that we're here for them and we want them to feel like they're part of our own community."
NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, who launched the NSW Government's $20 million international student support package in May, said international students make a huge contribution to NSW and deserve a helping hand.
"Thousands of families around the state depend on the sector – whether through direct employment, homestays or other services," Mr Lee said.
Hosts will receive a small reimbursement to help cover the costs of the student being hosted in their home.
Locals in the Greater Sydney region with a spare room are encouraged to urgently register their interest in hosting via the ISSN webpage.
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