TIPS TO HOST FAMILIES

Write immediately to your German pupil and send a photograph of your family.

At the airport:  Wait for them with your biggest smile, flowers, a poster with their name or a banner welcoming them and do not forget to take your camera with.

At home:  Put something like flowers in your guest's room or a chocolate on the pillow and drink tea together.  Let them take a bath / shower and let them sleep off the jetlag.

At home:  Let your guest help in and around the house.  Let them help in the kitchen.  They will soon feel very at home.  

Suggested things to do (these are only suggestions, not a must):  

 Let your pupil go to school and let them wear school clothes - at least one day!

 Take them to an English Church Service - at least once.

 Buy groceries together.

 Let them cook one meal for you.

Things not to do:

Do not just watch television in the evenings.  They love to play card games or board games.  You then have time to tell them about your culture and country AND let them tell you about their culture and country.

Things to do over weekends:

Outing to the Botanical Gardens.

Visit a nice museum.

Take them to the rhino and lion park close to Krugersdorp or in your area.

Show them the Big 5 if possible.

Take them camping at least one weekend.

Open your hearts to them!

Enjoy every moment with them, time flies!

Treat them like your own children

Expect the same behaviour than your own children's behaviour

Talk to them immediately if something bothers you

Be spontaneous

HELP them through that first week of home sickness!

 

 

From Delmarie du Plessis (host mother - a host family who hosted many of our pupils in the past)

 To All the New Host Families,

When the headmaster of Eldoraigne High School asked me if our family would like to be a host family for a German Exchange Student - I thought it could be fun. I thought this would give me the chance to see if all the kids around the world are the same. Boy, oh, boy was the surprise big.

After picking Ben up from the airport we gave him time to siesta after the eleven-hour flight. He slept until 12 o'clock while I prepared our first meal together.   As I knocked at his bedroom door to wake him - he widely opened the door and there he stood in front of me just in his little white underpants with "Merry Xmas"  (his grandma gave it to him last Christmas - he would explain later) written on it. (I forgot to say: "Same to You Ben"). This was my first experience that Bella didn't lie about in her letters.

At table I told him he gave me a hell of a fright and he has to be careful - if the two girls saw him they would say "Wow Ben" and I didn't want that to happen. The rest of the time Ben was very careful.

That first weekend we drove to Hartebeespoort Dam and stopped at Aunt Malie's for something to drink. Willem (our 14 year old son at that stage) sssslurped the last milkshake from his glass. In Afrikaans I asked him what he wanted Ben to think of us if he was so rude. As I finished my sentence Big Ben did exactly the same. I asked him "Didn't your mother told you not to do that?";  "Yes" he answered "all the time."

This was the first time I realized that all childres are the same.

TIP NO. 1

Talk to this child the same way you will talk to your own.  They love it and quickly feel part of the family.

From start one I wanted to make a video of the time we spent together with Ben for his mother. I wanted to share the extraordinary time that we had with Ben. I tried to video every special moment, as well as his sad moments so that she could see there were times he missed them too. He also filmed the school and some new friends. I even captured Ben and Willem behind the cooking pots!

TIP NO.2

Ask the guest to fix the family something German to eat - it's so much fun and they love it!!!!

O.k. …. the girls sat in front of the T.V and the two boys nearly destroyed our kitchen in the process of trying to make Pizza. The girls would give orders and Ben would shout "Please, shut up!  Who's doing the cooking?" Then the girls would ask who's going to clean up the kitchen and Ben shouted, "We will, of course!" They did …. Not very successfully, but at least the Pizzas were great!

To all the Moms

Do you know how thoughtful and polite another mother's child can be? This creates envy, which I experienced with my own children as well.  Ben would fix me a cup of coffee every afternoon when I returned from work. My children would tell him he's just trying to impress me, but he promised them he does the same for his mother at home. Willecia, our eldest daughter, visited Ben's family for 3 months after his stay and it turned out he did not do the same for his mom, but I enjoyed this treat as long as it lasted.

I always say: " As long as your kids behave with other people the way you want them to behave at home - you can be sure you taught them the right things to do."

 But it was not only I who experienced jealousy - Ben's Mom did too. Her two boys didn't like the idea of their mother stocking their sweet shelve with chips for Willecia.

TIP NO. 3

Think, think, think of things the whole family and the exchange student will enjoy together. This can be a fun month / 3 months for all of you.  

Let the whole family bake pancakes one evening and invite some school friends.

Don't switch on the T.V., because these children know a lot of card games and can entertain your family for a whole evening. Because of the weather they love board games. While playing, let them tell you about their country and tell them about ours. Trust me, you're going to remember, especially these times, when they've left.

We only organized one weekend trip away from home in the 5 weeks Ben stayed with us, because it was my husband's financial year end at work and he had to work every weekend.

The rest of the time we went to Magnolia Dal (a park) bought ice cream and took photos.  We went to the Voortrekker Monument - they have brochures in German - the kids find this Monument very interesting. We also went to the Rhino Park near Krugersdorp. There you can see the Big Five and they also have a nice braai area where you can have a picnic and enjoy nature.

TIP NO. 4

Don't confront the child in front of the whole family - he won't like it, your children won't like it and you won't like it either.

 Behind close doors you can explain what you disapproved of and ask the child to behave like your own children, then there won't be any more problems. Give him a hug and tell him you still enjoy this time he spends with your family. I promise, you will only have to do this once, they won't give you any reason to do it again.

I buy these big washing bags at Mr. Price Home and hang it behind all the bedroom doors.  Everyone fills them with their dirty clothes and then our maid just collects the bags on washing day. When your dirty clothes are not in the bag ….then it will have to wait for the next time and everyone knows we don't discuss this, ever. I explained this on the first day to the exchange student. Ones a week I peek into the rooms and just say  "Clean up time NOW!!!!"  This sets the rules from the beginning.

On Old Year's Eve Viola asked us to take her to a nightclub, because our party was boring.  I quickly reminded her it was her choice to come here over this time and that she has to do things our way, if she wanted it her way she should have stayed in Germany.  And that was the end of the story - no further problems.

The rule stays the same: Just set the principles from the beginning and there would be no reason for confusion.

Discipline...I didn't experience problems with Ben but I did have problems with our December girl - Viola.  Not big but they were there. Once again it's the same as with your own children. Don't let it pass without notice. Immediately talk about it.

TIP NO. 5

If they ask about the meat - just tell them its beef. You won't believe the portions of lamb and pork they can eat.

We organized a hunting trip on a game farm.  At first Ben thought this was a farm with roller coasters. Ha-ha, big was his surprise.  I shot my first buck and did Ben enjoy it - he just took photos and told me "Frau, you are just like Rambo!"  Ben refused to try a piece of this meat. Most of them only eat beef.

TIP NO.6

Phone one of the other host families near you (Bella will give us a list of all the numbers) and invite them over. This can be great fun!!!

They enjoy talking to other German Exchange Students and hearing about their experiences.  Because of the short time that they are here this will also be an easy way of making friends.  You as family will find it interesting as well, to hear about the other family's encounters.

TIP NO. 7

Treat this child the way you should like other people to treat your own child.

Before Ben arrived I wrote his mother a letter to ensure her that I will watch after her son like an angel. Every second week after his arrival I also talked to her. I told her how much we enjoyed her son. He over heard it and it meant a lot to him. When he went back to Germany his family asked if one of our children could visit them, because they wanted to give our child the same time that we gave theirs. And believe me they did - they spoiled our daughter very much.

 TIP NO. 8

Don't allow family and friends to be nasty to your Exchange student. They don't dare to be nasty to your kids if they know you are nearby. You have to protect this child.

There are people who don't like children the way I do. You must remember it's not any child who has the nerve to go this far away from home. This is a strong child. They know how to stand up for themselves.  They will defend themselves if one of your friends makes any remarks concerning Hitler - they feel the same way about this, as we feel about Apartheid.

 TIP NO. 9

Invite your student's families to come and visit our country by sending them a book of South Africa. At the Voortrekker Monument there are very nice videos of South Africa in German - a very nice present.

The biggest lesson I've learned from these children is that they come to South Africa and they shorten the miles between two families. When you get to know this child you want to know his family. In October I will meet Ben's family and I can't wait!!!! Maybe our new child's family as well.

TIP NO. 10

Motivate them to go to school!  Prepare the school for their arrival.

Go and talk to the principle of the school and ask him to welcome the student(s) on their first day.  This way everyone in the school will know about them and try to make them feel welcome.  Ask your children to talk to their friends about including them on social outings and ask about their country, language, school system, ect.  Be interested, they want to tell!!!

School is not primarily for learning, it's a place to meet friends and find out how South African schools operate.  They can join in sports and other school activities.

Ben went to the girl's revue and later sang along with the Afrikaans songs and had great fun while meeting a lot of people.

If they become lazy and you get the feeling that they think of their time here as a holiday.  Be strict, and don't allow them to take chances staying away from school.

 TIP NO.11

Talk to them about religion if your find it appropriate

Share your family's religion with this child. Not one of the students we had believed in anything although they said so in their letters. They don't ever go to church. We never stopped praying before every meal and although Ben told us they don't do it  - they did when Willecia visited them. Yvonne told me Ben asked her to do so for Willécia's sake. You can make a difference in this child's life.

 Enjoy every moment of your time with your Exchange Student. Show him or her how proud we are of our country - SOUTH AFRICA!!!!!



Tips from German pupils

 Tips to make your stay in South Africa more pleasant

 You are allowed to take only 20kg with you in your big luggage and one handbag. Normally in Frankfurt they will let you through with 25-30kg, but the moment you have to return to Germany from Johannesburg, they will give you a large fine! Some pupils paid between R800,00 - R2300,00 for access luggage.
       
There is normally no central heating in the family home in South Africa.

You have to decide if you would like to return to Germany if you get the information that a distant family member died.

The host families are offended if you spend a lot of money without thinking about their situation.

If you show interest in the history of South Africa, your host family will enjoy that. Show also interest in the city where the family lives.

You will become homesick during Christmas time (December programme)! Prepare yourself for that.

Problems we had with exchange pupils (please avoid making the same mistakes): It resulted in tips for you!

All host families are selected families. Accept your host family as they are!

Do not lie to the family.

Accept the house rules!

Do not be badly influenced by other pupils at school. Stick to the children in the family.

Accept the rules of the school.

Do not even try to use drugs! The moment you are caught, you can be arrested and go to jail in SA - you do not want this. We sent a pupil back to Germany the very same day he was caught with drugs

You will experience homesickness - Be positive about these short 4 weeks / 3 months away from everything known to you.

Host families are normally very religious. Try to fit into their lifestyle.

You can be placed with a family in a city / town / farm. Be rather happy for the chance to be in SA! This is a wonderful way to experience a country and to really get to know the culture and people.

Do not misuse the family. They are not there to obey your wishes! You have to fit into the family and accept what they are able to offer you during your stay.

The host mother will not cook something else if you dislike the food. Try everything on the table and eat what you like the most.

If you are a smoker, you will have to smoke outside if your host family does not smoke inside the house.

Your parents in Germany must provide a telephone number where we can contact them should we need to.   Also if they depart on holiday to another country, you should have a contact number.

Hotels and other guest houses must be respected should the host family need to stay there! Do not remove something from the hotel / guest house that is not yours.

Host families do not get paid to host you!   Appreciate every little thing they do for you!

To send and receive emails is expensive. SA does not have free Internet provider packages like in Germany.   Ask the host family before you use these facilities.

Host brothers and -sisters would like to practice their German language if they have it as a subject. They would like to better their skills. Please practice your English with their friends.

 Most importantly: Enjoy!

 
Tips von ehemalige FSA Austauschschülern:

Nehmt auf jedenfall an der Buschcamptour teil, da sie erstens super interessant ist und echt viel Spaß macht und zweitens, weil man die Möglichkeit hat sich mit anderen Austauschschülern über seine Erfahrungen zu unterhalten.

Bringt eurer Gastfamilie typisch deutsche Gastgeschenke mit und ruhig etwas aus eurer Region! Aber auf keinen Fall Schokolade vergessen!

Habt keine Angst euch mit Leuten zu unterhalten. Auch ohne perfektes Englisch werdet ihr verstanden und keiner lacht über euch!

Schickt eure Postkarten gleich am Anfang des aufenthaltes ab, sonst seit ihr vor den Karten zu Hause!

Verkriecht euch nicht in eurem zimmer. geht einfach ins Wohnzimmer oder in Küche. Fragt, ob ihr was helfen könnt (z.B. Tisch decken, oder Gemüse schneiden). Wenn was zu tun hat kommt kein Heimweh auf und man lernt seine Gastfamilie gut kennen.

Geht aufjedenfall mit in die Schule (wenn es Schule gibt in der Zeit). Es ist dort zwar anders, aber sehr interessant!

Macht einen Plan mit eurer Gast, was ihr sehen und machen wollt, es wird euch helfen.

Lasst euch bloß nicht von mitschülern, Verwandten oder sonst Irgendjemandem verunsicher, was Eure Reise angeht! Sicherlich werdet ihr oft zu hören bekommen, dass es ja so gefährlich ist bzw. die Kriminalität so hoch ist , das man sich vor Malaria und AIDS in Acht nehmen muss, aber lass euch nicht bange machen. So schlimme wie alle erzählen ist es nicht!

Ich hab mich dort niemlas, wirklich niemals unsicher gefühlt, oder gar angst gehabt. Wenn man mit seiner Familie unterwegs ist, ist die Wahrscheilichkeit ziemlich gering, dass etwas passiert, da sie sich auskenne. Hört man von Überfällen o.ä., so sind dies meist alleireisende *erkennbare* Touristen (Kamera, Fotoapparat, Schmuck.....)!

Südafrika ist eine Reise wert, und es wird Euch sicher viel Spaß machen.