Testimonials

Here’s what some of our students and host families have to say about their Homestay Townsville experience:

Fiona Tukumuli, Wallis Futuna Islands

I’ll never forget those months spent in Homestay beside Prue and Rick - they helped me a lot.

I learnt so many things of the Australian culture and family life – it was great to travel and sightsee around Townsville and Queensland.

Every day by your side was a new lesson for me - in manners, clothes and my appearance

My English helped me in my position in my father’s company.

It helped me grow and get good and develop new habits.

I thank you again for your kindness, your attention and your advice Prue and Rick.

Chang Won Lee, Kyung Hee Yoon - Linda's parents, Korea

My daughter, Lee Ji Soo (Linda), was in school in Townsville, Australia, from January 2004 to June 2005.

English is very important for Korean students, and they spend lots of time on it. They study hard at English in elementary school so they can study easily in junior, middle and high school. So my daughter went abroad to Australia for English.

At first we thought we'd be satisfied with Linda if she learnt English well, but after Linda spent a term at Cathedral School and spent other terms in Calvary School, it helped Linda with school affairs. Linda got many certificates with help from the schools and the teachers. Now she has lots of mind and self confidence. Especially, the homestay life in Prue and Rick's house taught Linda the cultural and home life in Australia.

Prue and Rick looked after Linda just like the parents and Linda says she lived there comfortably. We thank Prue and Rick so much for taking Linda on many journeys in holidays and teaching her English. Australian friends helped Linda a lot to study in the school.

We hope that Linda's experiences with her friends will help her with the future. We are satisfied with Linda's life and all the studying and with Linda's younger brother Chris' life in Australia. We want to say thank you to the schools and the teachers, and to Linda's friends, and special thanks to Prue and Rick.

Linda (Lee, Ji Soo), Korea

I learnt many things in Australia with the help of the schools, the school teachers, Australian friends, teacher Prue and Uncle Rick. I went to Cathedral School and Calvary Christian College and I thank them for letting me come to their schools and feel very comfortable. Also I thank the school teachers for all their help and the explanations for my lessons in school. My Australian friends always helped me and taught me the Australian games. If they didn't play with me, maybe I would have been lonely, so I thank them. Especially, I thank teacher Prue and Uncle Rick. They always took me on journeys to teach me Australia's culture and the history, and they taught me English with some good explanations, and also gave me good quality food, unlike some other homestays. The study I did in Australia helped me with my Korean study. As soon as I came back to Korea I went to the academy which is famous for English education in Korea. I did the test to see my level, and I got the high level. Also I was the brightest student in my class so I got many certificates. My parents were satisfied with it. I thank everyone so much.

Stephanie Hong, Korea

I am a grade 9 Korean student and lived with Susan for a while when I was in Australia. I had a great time at Susan's in Australia. The food I ate at Susan's was wonderful! I was a little bit nervous at eating Australian food everyday, but the food was fantastic. I also had lots of free-time at Susan's. I went for many walks with her daughter Kimberley. I got to use the home internet. Of course, I had to finish my homework and do extra study, and keep my bedroom clean and tidy. My English skills have also improved very much as Susan corrected them when I spoke incorrectly. The most important thing was that I didn't feel I was alone. Many kids from overseas feel sad and depressed, but at Susan's I wasn't. Australia is a great place for Korean kids to go and study and is also good for cultural experiences ^o^.

What was your experience like with Homestay Townsville? Please email Prue to tell her about it.