HHA Student Code of Conduct

This Homestay Student Code of Conduct outlines Happy Homestay Adelaide’s (HHA) guidelines and standards to assist international students who under 18 years of age comply with their obligations while living with their host families. The Code also serves as a guide to education providers to assist them to perform their duties in a collaborative and child-focused manner.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Happy Homestay Adelaide (HHA)! Our Homestay Student Code of Conduct aims to provide a clear set of guidelines and standards to help international students under 18 years of age integrate smoothly into their host families. This document also serves as a valuable resource for education providers to ensure a collaborative and child-focused approach to supporting our students. Living in a homestay is an enriching experience, offering a unique opportunity to become part of a new family and culture. Please read this document carefully to understand your responsibilities and the expectations of your host family. If you have any questions about this code of conduct, please contact your HHA coordinator.

CODE OF ETHICS

Living in a homestay means becoming part of a family, not just being a guest. This requires respecting and adhering to the household’s guidelines and rules.

• Offer to help with minor household chores such as washing up, setting the table, or keeping your bedroom clean and tidy.
• Communicate with your host family in an honest and respectful manner, fostering a positive attitude and open dialogue.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

As a homestay student, you have several responsibilities regarding your behaviour and actions when living with a host family. Please read this document carefully.

1. Be responsible for your finances and meet all your personal expenses for travel, entertainment, medical expenses, and other personal and incidental costs.
2. Obtain student insurance that covers your healthcare and medical treatment in case of an emergency. Happy Homestay Adelaide (HHA) does not take any responsibilities for any injuries that you may sustaon whilst living with your host family.
3. Refrain from engaging in physical or verbal abusive behaviour towards any member of your host family. If this occurs, you will be removed from the home immediately, and the incident will be reported to your school for an appropriate response.
4. Be polite, respectful, and friendly to your host family and its members, using phrases like “Please” when asking and “Thank you” when receiving.
5. Maintain respectful and ongoing communication with your host family. Respect cultural differences and be aware that their beliefs may differ from your own.
6. Try to Communicate with the host first if any issues arise.
7. Inform your host when you are sick and follow their advice regarding attending school.
8. Be considerate and keep noise to a minimum, especially at night. Further details can be found in the house rule.
9. Remember to ask the host for permission before inviting friends over.
10. Inform your host family if you want to go out after school or on the weekend, notifying them where you are going and what time will you return home.
11. Inform your host family at least 2 hours prior if you plan to eat away from home.
12. Adhere to the curfew set by your host family.
13. Participate in and eat meals together at the designated mealtime. Communicate any dietary restrictions.
14. Smoking including vaping/e-cigarettes, and the consumption of alcohol are strictly prohibited.
15. Consumption of illicit drugs is prohibited by law.
16. Spend no longer than 10 minutes in the shower and ensure the bathroom is left tidy and clean.
17. Take responsibility for turning off all appliances in your bedroom, especially desk lights, heaters, and other electric devices when you are not using it and/or when you leave the house.
18. Contact the International Student Coordinator at your school or HHA regarding any concerns or difficulties.
19. Be aware that surveillance cameras may be in use inside and outside of some hosts’ houses for security reasons.
20. Handle emergencies by contacting the appropriate authorities or your host family immediately.

CLEANLINESS/LAUNDRY

1. Maintain your room neat and tidy.
2. Clean up any mess you create in common areas, such as bathroom and/or dining room.
3. Offer to help with household tasks such as washing up after meals, setting/wiping down the table, or take the rubbish out.
4. Avoid eating or drinking in your room.
5. Place your unclean clothes in the laundry basket provided by your homestay.
6. Do not dry/hang any wet clothes in your room. Discuss with your host family where you can dry/hang your clothes.
7. Follow the laundry schedule/preferences set by your host family.

INTERNET USE

1. The internet is mainly for your studies. Do not download music, movies, online games, or other online entertainment unless you have permission from your host parents.
2. Under no circumstances should you view inappropriate or sexual explicit material.
3. Do not share the host family's Wi-Fi password without permission.

HOUSE KEY

1. Look after the house key that given by your host family and return it once you permanently leave.
2. Inform your host family as soon as you realise your key is missing and you might require to pay for the replacement cost.

PROPERTY DAMAGE

1. Avoid causing any damage to the property of your host family.
2. Inform your host family immediately if you cause any damage. Any damage caused by you beyond normal wear and tear in the homestay will be your responsibility.

PRIVACY

1. Respect your host family's privacy, remember to knock and seek permission before entering any room.
2. Ask for permission and consent if you want to take any photos and/or videos of your homestay's common areas such as the lounge, family room, kitchen, front and back yard, and their family members, in particular any children under 18 years of age.

ENDING HOMESTAY

1. Discuss/inform the International Student Coordinator of your school and HHA.
2. Give 2 weeks' notice to the host family before your moving date.
3. Leave the room in a clean, neat, and respectable condition.
4. If professional cleaning is required such as marks/stains on the carpets and walls, it will be charged to the student.
5. Take all your belongings and dispose of any unwanted items prior to moving.
6. Return any towels or linen provided by the host family.

STRICTLY PROHIBITTED DURING YOUR STAY

If any of them below found, HHA will immediately terminate Homestay arrangement of you and remove you from the homestay with no refund. Also, it is not HHA responsible for alternative accommodation and cost for it

1. Possession and/or consumption of Cigarettes including e-cigarette, vaping device etc.
2. Possession and/or consumption of Alcohol.
3. Possession of illegal drugs.

*The legal age for alcohol and cigarette consumption is 18 years of age