Two leaders in the homestay industry have partnered to form the world’s largest education homestay organisation. The alliance between the American Homestay Network (AHN-USA) and the Australian Homestay Network (AHN-AUS) will see both entities grow their respective businesses through 2014 before expanding into other countries.
Across two continents, the companies place more than 10,000 international students in host families each year. Through the partnership they say they will share best practices, technological innovation and student and host training.
“As we see more and more international students seeking homestay accommodations in Australia and America, this partnership will increase our ability to provide a safe, streamlined experience for all homestay stakeholders,” said David Bycroft, Executive Chairman of the AHN-AUS.
“Both groups know we can take best practices from each other to keep our standards as high as possible”
“Both groups know we can take best practices from each other to keep our standards as high as possible and begin to look into other parts of the globe for more opportunities.”
The new alliance will provide both companies license to proprietary homestay matching and management technology as well sharing best practice on compulsory insurance for both students and hosts which AHN-AUS pioneered in the Australian market.
Founded last year, AHN-USA has already managed hundreds of student applications and recently launched the Regional Agency Program designed to provide regional homestay organisations across the US with technology and administrative resources needed to develop business with local partners.
Ron Davis, CEO of AHN-USA said the partnership is mutually beneficial and will help prepare them to expand globally.
“By partnering with the largest provider of international student homestay placements in Australia, we can now take best practices from their experiences, while sharing what works in America,” he said. “Additionally this partnership enables us to implement several new technology innovations and better prepare to address bigger opportunities around the world.”
In addition to providing accommodation for international students, AHN-AUS also runs the Community Placement Network and Homestay Helping Hand, two programmes aimed at helping asylum seekers and Australians in need find housing and support.
