By Eshmael Mpabanga, Fremantle-Cockburn Gazette
FINDING your feet in a foreign country can prove to be a daunting prospect for international students – with accommodation, language and cultural barriers among the obstacles they face.
Many students look for support and the Matana Yimklib Students Accommodation Agency provides assistance and guidance when they first arrive in Australia.
Agency owner Matana Yimklib opened the business in 2009 to provide counselling and help for international students based on her own experiences.
Ms Yimklib said she aimed to build a bigger database of home-stay vacancies because a family setting helped iron out language and cultural barriers.
“The benefits of unpaid exchange student living are endless for most families who have children learning a second language in school,” she said.
“Although many students have valuable skills and experience for the workforce, they come to Australia to learn English, the culture and lifestyle.
The agency also helps businesses sort through job applications and resumes to identify the suitable fit for them.
Call Matana on 0410 297 789.