Strong Australian dollar causes setback in homestay students

(By Kirstin Kreyscher, Bond University Journalism student)

The strong Australian dollar and recent changes in visa requirements caused a major reduction in Varsity Lakes homestay students from overseas. 
    
Homestay agencies like Eastern Shores International in Varsity Lakes experienced a major decline in the number of international students.

Eastern Shores International provide homes for students and visitors from overseas that come to Australia to study at various institutions on the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Students can attend TAFE, universities, high schools, or be part of a tour group that visits popular Australian theme parks.

Managing director of Eastern Shores International Gloria Keinert said especially with long-term students it is hard for the parents to more or less send their children to school here.

“We are affected a lot by individual students, like Brazilians and a lot of Asian countries,” Mrs Keinert said.

“The last six months is at least 30 per cent down on what it used to be.

“We more or less are trying to do a lot of marketing with agents overseas.”

Senior consultant Lucy Winser agreed and said a lot of their business this year has changed to two group bookings instead. 

“That has kept us going, while the individuals have slowed down,” Mrs Winser said. 

“It is a very tight market at the moment.

“The students that do afford to still come here are really trying to get cheaper rates and they are desperately looking for shared accommodation.”

There is a long list of families that are waiting for homestay students at the moment.

In the end, it is not only the hospitality industry, but also the governmental universities and homestay families, especially retired couples that experience a setback in international students.

“It’s not only the monetary side, it is also the emotional side that gets affected in the long run,” Mrs Keinert said.