CISWA is an independent, voluntary, non-profit group which was established in 1963 to promote the wellbeing of international students living and studying in Western Australia.
You can help to provide a great local experience for an international student by hosting a meal at your home. The CISWA ‘share a meal’ program aims to help international students connect and make friends.
The program runs through the year and invitations can be for any meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner).
TAFE International Western Australia Admissions and Compliance Manager Rachael Wood said the Share a Meal program offered students an experience of Australian family life. "The program is free of charge and runs continuously through the year," she said. “At the moment it is low on host families, so if you, or your friends or relatives would like to get involved now is the time.
"Students from all over the world choose to live and study in our beautiful State and this program is a great way to meet new people and learn more about other cultures."
A weekend with the locals
In September 2016 a group of international students enjoyed a great weekend organised by CISWA, living with an Australian family in the Western Australian coastal town of Geraldton.
Students ranged from 20-45 years of age and visited local tourist spots such as the Geraldton Museum, Lobster Factory, HMAS Sydney Memorial. They participated in activities including sandboarding, four wheel driving on the beach and a visit to Greenough Wildlife Park where they held reptiles and joeys (baby kangaroos).
After enjoying an Australian barbecue on the first night with their host families, the students then cooked a dish from their own country for an International Food night.
Photo courtesy of student Javier Lopez.
The CISWA country visit is held every year and gives international students a great opportunity to spend a weekend with an Australian family and other international students, while exploring another part of Western Australia.
Participating students must be over 18 years of age.
Hear from the students
"Thanks a lot for everything. The trip was just awesome and one of the best weekends I ever had. I felt like I am just visiting my family & relatives. Everyone was really helpful. Ron, Peta and the whole Shepherd family was really helpful and very friendly. They treated me just like a family member. I really enjoyed each and every moment spend with them. I would definitely recommend to international students." - Karandeep Singh, from India and studying a Diploma of IT at North Metropolitan TAFE.
"I cannot thank you enough for the great host family you selected for me. The place was beautiful and Andrea and Fish were amazing with us, always taking care and making suret hat Javier and myself were Ok. Since day one we did interesting activities that showed us how is life in Geraldton. For me it was a great experience. I felt so happy because everybody always were looking after me and for all the work and effort that the families did for us. They really made us feel welcome. The only thing that I would suggest is to make next year trip a bit longer"
- Alejandro Vasquez, 27yrs from Colombia and studying a Diploma of Engineering at North Metropolitan TAFE.
Learn more about Regional Western Australia.
CISWA Services
CISWA offers international students a variety of services including:
-
Country Hospitality - visit an Australian family in a country area and stay for a weekend.
-
Share A Meal Hospitality - meet a local Australian family and experience lunch, dinner or afternoon tea in their home.
Register for the 'Share a Meal' program
-
Christmas Hospitality - spend Christmas with an Australian family!
More information
For more information please see
CISWA's website and
find CISWA on Facebook.