The homestay experience: Q&A with Queensland Ballet Academy dancer, Ella

What do you do when the pathway to your passions lies in a different city or state? When Coffs Harbour local Ella was accepted into Queensland Ballet Academy in 2021, she decided to explore homestay options, finding the perfect fit with a local family who resides close to Kelvin Grove State College. Here Ella, now in Level 2 at the Academy, shares her experience of moving to Brisbane, and how settling in with a new family during the school term has allowed her to follow her dreams.

Hi Ella, where is home – where did you grow up?

Home is located on the beautiful coastline of Coffs Harbour, NSW. It’s about a four-hour drive from Brisbane.

When did you move to Queensland to study at Queensland Ballet Academy?

I moved at age 15 to Queensland, at the beginning of 2021 to start my journey at Queensland Ballet Academy.

It must have been a little nerve-wracking moving interstate by yourself. How did you settle into your first week?

I’m a little bit of a homebody so it was definitely a nerve-wracking experience moving to a different state and somewhere where you don’t really know anyone. But the excitement of this new opportunity and experience overruled any doubts. During the first week, I settled down quite quickly and established a routine with calling my family. My homestay family was so welcoming with helping me decorate my room and create my little home away from home.

Who is in your homestay family?

Rach and Waz are like my homestay ‘parents’ and they have two beautiful kids, Will and Lucy, who are like my younger siblings. There’s also Ruby the cat, who’s so friendly, and it’s nice to have a little companion who sits and watches you stretch or study.

How do you spend your free time?

When I’m not dancing or doing schoolwork I enjoy exploring the city – whether it’s going to the markets, finding a little coffee shop I can sit and read in, or seeing a movie with friends. I just like to embrace the lively atmosphere of the city.

Do you go home for the holidays?

Yes, I enjoy going home for the holidays. I love spending some quality time with my family and catching up with friends from home. I find it important to have that little reset before heading into the next term.

How do you travel to school and Academy commitments?

I’m very lucky because I live quite close to school and the Academy, so I walk – it takes about 20 minutes. I always find it a good way to warm up in the morning before dancing. There are also the opportunities that we get to watch a dress rehearsal at QPAC, or we might be dancing over at the Thomas Dixon Centre, in which Rach (homestay ‘mum’) is always happy to drop and/or pick me up. I also live quite close to the bus stop and train station and I find the public transport in Brisbane really quick and easy to navigate.

How have you found the homestay experience so far?

This is my third year being in a homestay and I can safely say that I have loved my experience! It has provided me with the opportunity to meet new people outside the dance community, and has given me skills that I will carry into the future.

What would you say to other students who may be considering a homestay experience?

I would 100 per cent recommend it. I think it’s a great option because it provides you with a little bit of independence but you also have your homestay family around that are nurturing and supporting you along the way. I think it’s important to go into the experience with an open mind and know that your homestay family is going to be different from your family, and that’s totally ok! Through the ups and downs, you always have someone there to talk to, laugh with, or give you a hug. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made and I just couldn’t recommend it more.