Study tours are highly beneficial for international students, an opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills and expand their worldview. A study tour allows international students to be immersed in an English-speaking environment, develop an understanding of Australian school culture, and experience the Australian way of life. Arguably, experiential learning can have a profound lifelong impact on international students, improving their knowledge, self-confidence, and positively influencing the rest of their life.

South Australian Government Schools champion international student programs as they enrich the learning of both international and local students. International students provide different cultural perspectives and contribute to creating a culturally diverse environment for all students to enjoy. Each international student represents their own country, serving as a goodwill ambassador. Because of this, host schools encourage rapport building between international and local students, a powerful force in connecting different cultures and languages leading to life-long friendships or strengthening future diplomatic relations.

For international students interested in pursuing long term study in Adelaide, a study tour is the ideal introduction. Many participants of our study tours program have returned to Adelaide to complete a study abroad program. For more information, please contact one of our friendly team members.

Situated between pristine sandy beaches and the beautiful Mount Lofty ranges, Adelaide has consistently been voted as one of the most liveable and affordable cities in Australia and throughout the world.

In 2021, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index named Adelaide as third most liveable city in the world and number one in Australia when measured across stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

For International students, Adelaide is a prime study destination because of its high-quality education system, affordable cost of living and study abroad fees, as well as the excellent quality of life the city offers. Despite being home to a growing population of 1.4 million, Adelaide is a friendly, affordable, and an accessible city. Adelaide’s planned city layout makes it easy to navigate, offering a balanced lifestyle with expansive park lands and minimal traffic. Its compact size and sense of comfort means it provides an atmosphere ideal for students.

Besides its reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide also offers world-class educational institutions providing an environment where international students can thrive and be a part of an inclusive community.

Throughout Adelaide, South Australian Government Schools have been committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for international students since 1989, with over 100 schools accredited to offer the ‘International Student Program’. All South Australian Government Schools offer a broad range of specialised subjects within their curriculum. Some schools provide special interest programs for students with an aptitude for a particular subject area often supported by world-class technology and resources in their area of expertise. This incredible environment promotes high-quality education and community collaboration for local and international students.

Recently, South Australian Government Schools throughout Adelaide have welcomed record numbers of international students as part of the State Government’s plans to grow the international education sector.

As a result of Adelaide’s multicultural history, South Australian Government Schools have long been at the forefront of integrating diversity as a core school value and cultivating a community that is inclusive for all students.

Each international student will be allocated a student placement with an accredited Adelaide school referred to as a “host school”. Host schools are well experienced in welcoming international students from all over the world into the curriculum, offering a variety of bespoke activities, excursions, and support services.

All aspects of school life including the buddy system, homestay, and excursions are organised by our team in collaboration with the International Education Services (IES) office at the Department for Education and the host school. We offer study tours with a variety of inclusions tailored to suit the needs of the group or the individual students. Generally, study tours include intensive English classes, sessions tailored to the study tour’s theme or subject focus, group activities, homestay accommodation and excursions.

Our team understands the concerns of parents and the special needs of international students living away from home in an unfamiliar culture. The safety and well-being of each international student is our primary concern. Although, study tours include an ESL teacher (English as a Second Language) licensed to teach English to international students, some students may require further support. Upon request one of our team members team can organise additional support, for instance a buddy or further English language sessions, ensuring each international student has an enjoyable experience. Every student will have access to one of our team members available 24/7 to assist with any issues that may arise.

Buddy System

As part of the study tour, each international student will be paired with a local student referred to as a “buddy”. The purpose of a buddy is to ensure international students feel welcome and comfortable in their new environment, assisting them to adjust to Australian culture and school life by accompanying them throughout their day. The buddy system encourages both the local and international students to build a rapport and promotes social interaction leading to knowledge sharing, and cultural awareness. A buddy can be relied upon to provide peer-to-peer mentoring and assist international students to develop their English communication skills, especially in social situations.

In Australia, breaktime including recess and lunch are the perfect opportunities for international students to engage in social interaction and practice their English with local students in a relaxed environment. In this situation, a buddy can assist to reduce the anxiousness of the international students by introducing them to their peers, encouraging conversation, or identifying common interests between students. A buddy can also offer support to the international students when they make a mistake or offer an explanation when they are unsure.

Break times also offer international students the opportunity to participate in group activities such as Australian Rules Football (AFL), a football sport distinctive to Australia, develop new skills or friendships, perhaps lifelong!

Homestay

Homestay is the perfect opportunity for international students to authentically immerse themselves into Australian culture and gain an understanding of the Australian way of life while practising English.

Each international student will be allocated a ‘homestay’ accommodation placement with a local Australian family referred to as a “host family”. Generally, one to two international students are assigned to each host family, depending on availability. Each host family is carefully selected and monitored by the International Education Services (IES) office at the Department for Education and the host school. Each host family is required to comply with the criteria set by the government including an in-home interview, home facilities inspection and undertake a ‘Working With Children Check’ (WWCC). These criteria and assessments ensure each international students’ safety is paramount, their host family is credible, and their homestay environment presents minimal risk of harm.

Adelaide, often referred to as ‘the multicultural city’, has long been a melting pot of diverse cultures with many residents from various backgrounds. As a result of Adelaide’s cultural diversity, each household may be influenced by the host family’s heritage impacting their food culture, lifestyle or the number of languages spoken at home. Homestay is a great opportunity for international students to experience a different way of life in comparison to their home country.

Homestay can be a rewarding experience for both the international students and the host family, an opportunity to expand their worldview and increase cultural awareness. In order to achieve a successful homestay arrangement, it is essential both international students and host families keep an open mind and maintain healthy communication. Respecting and accepting each other’s cultural differences is key to a harmonious relationship. A successful homestay arrangement may lead to a life-long friendship!

Excursions

A form of experiential learning, excursions are highly beneficial for international students, presenting an opportunity to reinforce the concepts learned in the classroom and connect with the curriculum in a more meaningful way. Aside from exploring the local community, excursions give international students the opportunity to develop their social skills, practice their English and discover Adelaide.

Each study tour includes the opportunity for international students to participate in educational or tourism related activities or excursions. Many host schools offer activities and excursions based on the theme or subject focus of the study tour. Each activity or excursion can be tailored to suit the needs of the group or individual students.

Adelaide’s planned city layout means students only need to travel a short distance for excursions. There are many attractions in Adelaide and its surrounds offering a variety of cultural and recreational options from visits to wildlife parks, the beach, Indigenous landmarks and experiences, or day trips to the Adelaide Central Business District (CBD), many attractions are within walking proximity, ideal for students.