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| GLOBAL EXPERIENCE NEWSLETTER | FEB/MAR '13
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| STUDENT FEEDBACK CORNER | |
"My Host Mother is very nice. She took me to a beach and visited her relatives. She cares about me a lot including my diet. I basically could talk to her about everything."
Zhou Che for Susan Tavakoli Kesheh
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| HOMESTAY HOST INSURANCE-PLUS | |
The homestay Host Insurance-Plus cover is AUD $100 or $110 per year depending on the cover option selected, including all statutory charges, premium and brokerage.
You are not limited in the number of students you can host during the insurance year - only one confirmation of cover each year.
When you register with this insurance, please quote reference as follows:
AUS01
For further info please visit:
www.homestayhostinsuranceplus.com |
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TRANZFERS - FOREX Service
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Global Experience has recently commenced a relationship with TRANZFERS a global foreign exchange specialist. They offer extremely competitive rates of exchange and lower fees than you would see with banks and other providers, so your money goes further.
By using TRANZFERS you will enjoy;
- No receiving bank fees in most countries
- Extremely competitive foreign exchange rates across 52 currencies
- Online access 24/7
- Access to a dedicated Dealer by phone 24-hours a day, 5 days a week
- Easy to use online platform
- Exchange rate alerts via email
- Access to their highly regarded daily and weekly "Market Commentary"
Global Experience clients can use TRANZFERS for:
- Paying international student fees;
- Paying for loans and investments
- Purchasing property internationally;
- Transferring money to family members;
To speak to one of their accredited dealers about your overseas transfers call +612 8667 8000 (1300 300 424 in Australia; 0845 686 1950 in the UK; 1800 680 0750 in Canada or 0800 161 868 in NZ) or register
online.
Registering with them is FREE and you can access your account immediately. Alternatively you can contact Barry McNeill directly on +61 2 8667 8055 or barry@tranzfers.com
Register now and as a client of Global Experience you will receive your first two transactions fee FREE. https://www.tranzfers.com/
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F R O M O U R D E S K
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Hello everyone, as I seat to write this message I am almost saying "goodbye" to the team and stepping out of the office to spend some quality time with my husband, Luis in Bali. This is the first time he is able to fly after his health scare last year.
We are happy and grateful with his progress and he is now able to follow a lifestyle almost as before, with the difference that now he is much calmer and happier!
This year we get double birthday celebrations, in Bali and once we get back in Sydney with our loved ones, hooray! It gets a time in life that celebrating not only birthdays but every single day of our lives makes so much sense...
In this issue, we congratulate the Pabon family, originally from Argentina, South America and living in the Western Suburbs with a great position to host students attending UWS. This family has proven that hosting Middle Eastern students can be lots of fun and that students can feel part of the family even though cultural differences might be huge.
On behalf of our team I want to say 'Thank You' to so many host families that came to our Host morning training, we all had a great time and after the formalities, we've got to mingle, share great stories and anecdotes, and enjoy a great lunch. We look forward to having many more sessions like this one in the near future.
Enjoy the reading of this newsletter.
Until next issue
Sonia Ortega
Managing Director
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HOST FAMILY OF THE MONTH - ROSA & JULIO PABON
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by Rosa Pabon
When our country, Argentina, had lots of political and economic problems, we decided to move to Australia to have a brighter future for us and our children.
We took the chance to come here 25 years ago with 4 children, the boys were 12, 8 and 5 years old and our only daughter was almost 2 years old. Amazingly, we loved Australia from the first day and we adapted well although English wasn't our first language.
Few years later when we had enough savings, we rented a big house in Roseville and started to do Homestay. We had students from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Colombia, Argentina and Korea. Some of them stayed with us for over a year. We are a very easy going family. We treat our students as part of our family because we trust them and we want them to feel at home when staying with us.
Our kids have now grown up and the boys have married and moved out. I have multicultural beautiful daughter in laws from Zimbabwe, Finland and Brazil. Our two beautiful grandsons, Romeo and Tristan are both African descendants.
We have some memorable stories to share with you all about our students. Once we also had two Korean teachers who were amazed with my husband's personality, not just he's a good cook but he also does help me with the home duties. The teachers were so funny, before they left they told me that they would talk to their husbands about Julio with expectations that they would do the same as him.
We currently have a student from Saudi Arabia, a nice young man and his name is Saad. When we first accepted him, we were a bit anxious whether we could adjust with each other as we heard so much from our friends who do homestay how difficult it could be when hosting a Middle Eastern student. Food and big cultural differences are the main issue.
Anyway, I thought that it would be wise trying to cook according to his dietary requirements so I began to look around for Halal Butcher. When he first arrived, I was nervous as he wouldn't even eat my food although I told him that the meat is from the Halal Butcher. He's also very shy and when I invited my sister and her husband for lunch, he wouldn't even come out of his room.
Nevertheless, slowly he created a bond with my grandson, Romeo, who is living in the house with us together with his Mum, Barbara. They play with each other and my grandson also considers Saad as his Brother. One time during dinner time, Romeo even asked Saad if he could have his meals. By the way, Saad has now adjusted himself very well with our family - he loves my food!
One time, my daughter brought home her partner's dog and amazingly Saad asked if he could take a photo. I always thought that they don't like dogs. After having a discussion with Saad, he mentioned that in Saudi Arabia most of the dogs are wild therefore they are all under the impression that dogs are dangerous creatures.
To be honest, I have enjoyed myself cooking Halal meat. The price is reasonable (even the rump steak is cheaper than Woolworth's price) and the meat is very tasty. When I invited my sister and her husband to come for lunch - they complemented my 'empanadas' as the best one they had so far! I agreed!
In the beginning I thought Saad wouldn't even last for four weeks but he is now extending to stay with us. I'm glad that I gave it a go to host him. Not just because he is a good boy (he even helped me to fix my computer) but in addition to that I can learn more about his cultures and give me better understanding about Middle Eastern cultures - very interesting.
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SAUDI ARABIAN WORLD
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 Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, but English is widely spoken. It is used in business and is a compulsory second language in schools. Among the non-Saudi population, many people speak Urdu, the official language of Pakistan and other Asian languages such as Farsi and Turkish.
Arabic is spoken by almost 200 million people in more than 22 countries. It is the language of the Qur'an, the Holy Book of Islam and of Arab poetry and literature. Whilst spoken Arabic varies from country to country, classical Arabic has remained unchanged for centuries. In Saudi, there are differences between the dialects spoken in urban areas and those spoken in rural areas.
Islam is practised by all Saudis and governs their personal, political economic and legal lives. Islam was born in Saudi Arabia and thus is visited by millions of Muslims every year. Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day - everything is closed. Many companies are close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday.
During Ramadan, each night at sunset, families and friends gather together to celebrate the breaking of the fast. The festivities often continue well into the night. In general, things happen more slowly during Ramadan. Many businesses operate on a reduced schedule. Shops may be opened and closed at unusual times.
The family and tribe are the basis of the social structure. As is seen in their naming conventions, Saudis are cognizant of their heritage, their clan, and their extended family, as well as their nuclear family. Saudis take responsibilities to their family quite seriously. Families tend to be large and the extended family is quite close.
 Men shake hands. Good friends may greet each other with a handshake and a kiss on each cheek. Women generally hug and kiss close friends. Men and women would not greet each other in public from outside the family. When Saudis greet each other they take their time and converse about general things.
If you are invited to a Saudi's house bring something small as a thank you. Flowers do not make good gifts for a man although a women could give them to her hostess. Never give alcohol unless you are positive they partake and gifts are not opened when received.
The clothes that are commonly worn display the rich culture of Saudi Arabia. The men in this region wear thobe (white gown), ghutra (white headdress) and bisht (black overcoat). Women clothes in Saudi Arabia are the traditional burkhas and cover their heads and bodies.
The culture does not allow intermingling of opposite sexes in public areas. Men are not supposed to talk to women, unless they are married or are close relatives Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state that caters to the Sunni branch of Islamists and prohibits the freedom to worship other religions. The law requires all citizens to be Muslims. The Saudi government prohibits public practice or worship of non Islamic religions.
The justice system is based on the Sharia, which defines many crimes and specifies punishments. Islam is strict about issues of law and order and rigorous in the use of witnesses. For a man to be convicted of theft, four Muslims must swear a religious oath that they saw the theft taken place. Alternatively, an individual may confess. Physical punishment usually is applied only to serious repeat offenders. The state employs the police, supports the qadis and the court system, provides the prisons and assures that maximum media attention is given to punishments.
 Women may work outside the home in settings where they do not have contact with unrelated men. Women are employed in girls' schools and the women's sections of universities, social work and development programs for women, banks that cater to female clients, medicine and nursing for women, television and radio programming and computer and library work. However only about 7 percent of Saudi Arabia's formal workforce is female.
Men also have more rights than women. Women are not allowed to drive; cannot travel aboard without the permission or presence of a male guardian (mahram); are dependent on fathers, brothers or husbands to conduct almost all their private and public business and have to wear a veil and remain out of public view. However, women can own property in their own names and invest their money in business deals. Women's status is high in the family especially in the roles of mothers and sisters. Significant numbers of women have had high level of success in academic, literary production, business and other fields yet their achievements go publicly unremarked and they are barred from most aspects of public life.
People tend to remain in close physical contact during social interaction. Walking arm in arm or holding hands and gently slapping or touching a person's outstretched palm while talking is common, especially among people of the same gender who know each other well. Gazing and especially staring at strangers is rude. On public, people should avoid direct eye-contact with passers by.
Foods that are taboo are those forbidden by Islam, notably pork and wine and other alcoholic beverages. Restaurants were uncommon and considered somewhat improper in the past but a wide spectrum now serves Middle Eastern, North African, Italian, Indian and Pakistani, Korean, Japanese, Chinese and other cuisines in addition to American and Middle Eastern fast food.
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WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 HEALTHY FOODS?
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 1. Apples
Apples are an excellent source of antioxidants, which combat free radicals, damaging substances generated in the body that cause undesirable changes and are involved in the aging process and some diseases.
Some animals studies have found that an antioxidant found in apples (polyphenols) might extend lifespans. Tests on fruit flies found that polyphenols also help them to preserve their ability to walk, climb and move about. Another study found that adult females who regularly ate apples had a 13% to 22% lower risk of developing heart disease.2. AlmondsAlmonds are rich in nutrients, including iron, calcium, vitamin E, fibre, riboflavin and magnesium. A scientific review published in Nutrition Reviews last year found that almonds may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
The fatty acid profile of almonds, which is made up of 91-94% unsaturated fatty acids may partly explain why it helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Almonds also have the highest fibre content of any nut tree.  3. BroccoliBroccoli is rich in fiber, folate, potassium, calcium and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are compounds which reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.
Broccoli also contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant, as well as vitamin C. If the enzyme myrosinase is not destroyed during cooking, broccoli can also reduce the risk of developing cancer. 4. BlueberriesBlueberries are rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants and fibre. According to a study carried out at Harvard Medical School, elderly people who eat plenty of blueberries (and strawberries) are less likely to suffer from cognitive decline, compared to other people of their age who do not. Blueberries were found in another study carried out by scientists at Texas Woman's University, to help in curbing obesity. In addition, regular blueberry consumption can reduce the risk of suffering from hypertension by 10%. Blueberry consumption has also been associated with a lower risk of artery hardening and intestinal diseases. The fruit has also been linked to stronger bones in animal studies.
 5. Fish OilExamples of fish oil include salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines and anchovies. These types of fish have oil in their tissues and around the gut. Their lean fillets contain up to 30% oil, specifically omega 3 fatty acids. These oils are known to provide benefits for the heart, as well as the nervous system. Fish oil are also known to provide benefits for patients with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.Fish oil also contain vitamins A and D. Scientists at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Centre found that prostate cancer progression was significantly slowed when patients went on a low fat diet with fish oil supplements.6. Leafy Green VegetablesStudies have shown that a high intake of dark leafy vegetables such as spinach or cabbage may significantly lower a person's risk of developing diabetes type 2. Spinach for example, is very rich in antioxidants, especially when uncooked, steamed or very lightly boiled. It is a good source of vitamins A, B6, C, E and K as well as selenium, niacin, zinc, phosphorus, copper, folic acid, potassium, calcium, manganese, betaine and iron.7. Sweet PotatoesSweet potatoes are rich in dietary fibre, beta carotene, complex carbohydrates, vitamin C, vitamin B6, as well as carotene.  8. Wheat GermWheat germ is the part of wheat that germinates to grow into a plant - the embryo of the seed. Germ, along with bran, is commonly a by-product of the milling; when cereals are refined, the germ and bran are often milled out.Wheat germ is high in several vital nutrients, such as vitamin E, folic acid, thiamin, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus as well as fatty alcohols and essential fatty acids. Wheat germ is also a good source of fiber.9. AvocadosApproximately 75% of the calories in an avocado come from fat; mostly mono saturated fat. Avocados are also very rich in vitamin B, K and E. They also have a high fibre. Studies have shown that regular avocado consumption lowers blood cholesterol levels. Avocado extracts are currently being studied in the laboratory to see whether they might be useful for treating diabetes or hypertension.Researchers from Ohio State University found that nutrients taken from avocados were able to stop oral cancer cells and even destroy some of the pre-cancerous cells.  10. OatmealStudies have shown that if you eat a bowl of oatmeal everyday will assist in lowering your high blood pressureOats is rich in complex carbohydrates, as well as water-soluble fiber, which slow digestion down and stabilize levels of blood glucose. Oatmeal porridge is very rich in B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids, folate and potassium.
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH - BAHRAINI CHICKEN MACHBOOS
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Ingredients:
Servings: 6
4 1/2 cups water
650g basmati rice
3 tomatoes, quartered
1-1 1/2 kg chicken
3 onions, finely chopped
1/4 cup coriander leaves, chopped
1 green hot pepper, as desired
2 black dried limes
2 teaspoons baharat spice mix
1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cardamom powder
2 garlic cloves
1 slice ginger root, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 lemon juice
3 tablespoons rose water
3 tablespoons oil
3 teaspoons salt
Directions
1. Cut the chicken in half. Heat the water and leave aside. In a small bowl, mix the buharat, turmeric, cumin and cardamom together and add to the mixture one teaspoon of salt. Sprinkle half of the spice mixture on the chicken halves.
2. Heat oil in a large cooking pan, fry the onions until golden brown, then add to the pepper and black limes - you must make a hole in each lime.
3. Add the chicken to the onion mixture and turn it over a few times in the pan. Sprinkle on the chicken a teaspoon of cinnamon and the rest of the mixed spices. Turn the contents all together so the chicken is coated with the spices, cover the pan and let it cook on medium heat for 3 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, chopped ginger and tomato cubes to the pan and turn the ingredients in the pan a few times. Cover again for 3 minutes on medium heat. Sprinkle with the rest of the salt and pour in it water while it's still hot.
5. Cover the pan and let it cook for about one hour or until the chicken is cooked. Add the chopped coriander 5 minutes before you remove the chicken from the stock in the pan. While the chicken is cooking, wash the rice well and soak for 10 minutes in cold water then drain.
6. Remove the chicken from the pan and put on an oven tray, brush with some oil and sprinkle with the rest of the cinnamon powder and grill in the oven until the chicken is golden brown.
7. Add the rice to the chicken stock, stir, then let it cook on low heat until the rice absorbs the stock and is almost done.
8. Sprinkle rose water and lemon juice over the rice and place the butter pieces on the top. Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 30 minutes.
9. Serve the rice on a large serving plate and place the grilled chicken halves on the top.
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When you are discontent, you will always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, 'Oh yes, I already have everything that I really need'.
- Dalai Lama -
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