By Siobhon Eacott

Katie Winterbourne is founding Principal of Lantegy Legal, an accomplished lawyer of over 25 years’ experience, a UWA graduate, and most recently, a welcoming host with the Australian Homestay Network. 

Partnering with The University of Western Australia last year, Australian Homestay Network (AHN), MyStay International and Talkabout Homestay have been busy linking excellent hosts like Katie with students from across the world, receiving over 480 host applications by December 2022. 

Staying with a family or host for a semester at a time, students can benefit from the in-the-know expertise of Perth locals, and find support as they settle into the often overwhelming experience that is travelling to a different country to study. 

In Katie's case, her hosted student Mega has settled into her family wonderfully, having begun her undergrad degree alongside Katie's eldest daughter. 

“It was really an opportunity for our family, especially after the pandemic, to reach out and connect with others, meet new people, and share in our respective cultures”, Katie said.

“It's also incredibly rewarding, being able to help Mega in the little ways, and facilitate new experiences.”

One of the new experiences was only a week into Mega’s stay with Katie.

“Growing up, I was not exposed to performing arts and so I was not able to indulge myself in such experiences. However, approximately a week into my stay with Katie, they welcomed me to join them for the show Carmen and I absolutely enjoyed the moment”, Mega recounted.

"It was an easy decision to host", Katie said. However there were many things to consider prior to welcoming Mega, which she advises others to think about ahead of signing up.

“How will having someone stay affect your family? Are there holidays or trips which you may not be able to undertake, or renovations you have planned? How do you set house rules, and can you work with them to set those expectations?”, Katie said.

“There were many things we were unsure about but having contact with Mega a few weeks prior to her coming, we were able to get to know her a little better and really gauge how to help her settle in as best she could.”

Returning home to Sumatra, Indonesia over the November to February break, Mega says her time with Katie and her family has been impossible not to enjoy.

“There is no way I could not enjoy my stay with Katie. Before the living arrangement even started, through her emails I could tell how she really was considerate about my well-being. I was also able to connect with her daughter prior to my arrival, which definitely helped to get to know them better. Moving away from your home country can never be easy but all of the family members were very welcoming and it really did help me settling in",

Though, as wonderful as Mega’s experience has been staying with Katie, there are some aspects of the Australian way that she says take some getting used to.

“Vegemite. The yeast spread. It is interesting but I could not bring myself to try it, it does not smell or sound pleasant.”

Interested in becoming an Australian Homestay Network host, and building lifelong connections? Find out more here. 

If you are a student looking to stay with a host family, you can submit an application form here.