ICL recommends two types of accommodation:

• homestay or

• sharing an apartment.

Homestay

The advantages of a homestay are the cultural benefits, the support and comfort of family life and the additional language support. A homestay is an excellent way to learn about NZ culture, make friends and practise your English while living in a New Zealand homestay.  New Zealand families are typically kind, honest and friendly, and they enjoy meeting people from other cultures. All our homestay families are regularly inspected. The inspector visits the family homes, interviews the family members, and makes sure that they are suitable for our students. Students who require accommodation should request their Homestay accommodation at least two weeks prior to starting their programme.

ICL Business School does its best to find a suitable homestay family for each of our students. Staying with a family can be a good way to improve your English and learn to understand the local culture. This is especially important when you first arrive in New Zealand. The cost is around $240 per week and there is an initial placement fee of $240.

Students should expect to travel between 30 and 45 minutes from their homestay to school.

If the School arranges homestay accommodation for you, the minimum period will be four weeks or the full course if shorter.  The homestay fee for this period and the placement fee are non-refundable.   The School will only book your homestay after receiving your flight details.  Once the accommodation is confirmed the placement fee and first month's accommodation are non refundable.

Students under 18

If you are under 18 we require you to stay in a homestay. When you become 18 you may choose to move out, although we recommend you consider remaining in a homestay throughout your time at ICL. 

Homestay means that you will get the following:

• the chance to speak English every day
• two meals a day: breakfastand dinner, with lunch at weekends
• your washing will be done.
• help to organise the following:
• a weekly or monthly bus pass
• opening of a bank account
• obtaining a library card
• getting to school and back for a few days – until you are settled

Homestay families will do their best to give you a ‘home from home’

You are expected to:

• obey the “house rules” set by your homestay parents
• discuss these rules with your homestay family and be sure you understand them
• NOT smoke or drink alcohol unless permission is given
• Call your homestay family if you are going to be late home
• Be home by 7.30 pm on week nights unless your homestay family have agreed to other arrangements
• Sleep at home on week nights
• NOT have visitors to sleep over during the week
• Check with and get the agreement of your homestay parents if you want to ask your friends to sleep over on a weekend
• NEVER have friends of the opposite sex sleeping in your room
• Be home by 10.00 pm at weekends if you do not have another prior agreement with your homestay
• NOT sleep over at a friend’s place, until you have informed your homestay family of your whereabouts and provided a phone number.

When leaving:

• You should give two weeks’ notice, before leaving your host family.
• If you need to leave your homestay family because of an emergency, you must contact your counsellor or homestay co-ordinator immediately.

Sharing an Apartment

After a few weeks or months of homestay you may decide that you can manage on your own or you may decide to share a flat or house with others.  You should try and share with people who do NOT speak your language so that you can practise English!  Check the cost of rent, food and transport and make sure you can afford to change your living arrangements! The advantage of an apartment is that it can be much closer to school and gives you independence.