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Watching the football or going for a bike ride might be an activity your family takes for granted. But for an international student, it is a unique window into the Australian way of life.
That is why Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services is calling on Bendigonians to open their homes to visiting students.
LCMS community development worker Alonso Navarro said inviting a student for dinner or taking them for coffee was a mutually beneficial act.
“It’s a great opportunity for international students to really see the Australian culture,” the Mexican national said.
“But at the same time, it’s an opportunity for the Australian families to gain insight into a different part of the world through socialising.”
The cross-cultural relationships, which Mr Navarro hoped would continue for the course of the students’ stay in Australia, might combat the isolation some newcomers experienced.
"You get here, it's a new environment, you don’t know many people, so you just socialise with people in your same circumstances," Mr Navarro said.
The community planning student, who arrived in Bendigo 18 months ago, recalls fondly an invite he received to enjoy Christmas lunch with a local family in 2015.
"It was a very nice gesture because I only just arrived in Australia and I was going to spend Christmas alone," he said.
“It helped me to understand local culture and to see we, even when we come from different parts of the world, can find similarities.”
LCMS is also seeking internships and volunteer work for international students in the Bendigo community, as well as hosting several community dinners, all efforts to break down barriers between locals and newly arrived guests.
Those interested should email a.navarro@lcms.org.au.