Meet Cynthia from China
Hi I am Cynthia and I am 12 years old from China. I have spent the past 3 weeks studying at Lexis Perth as part of the Teenage Activity Program.
Why did you come to Perth?
I came to Perth because I wanted to learn English and my Dad’s friend lives here.
How did you feel when you came to Perth?
When I boarded my flight to Perth, Australia, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I had heard stories of pristine beaches, friendly locals, and world-class education, but living it would prove far more rewarding—and challenging—than I imagined. This is the first time I have left my family and my first time in an English-speaking country. I am 12 years old, and I come from the south of China. Now, in week 3 of my stay as an international student, I can confidently say that Perth has become more than just a study destination. It’s become a second home.
Are you enjoying your English classes and what is the best thing about studying at Lexis?
Yes, I am loving my English classes. I am enjoying making new friends and I really like my teacher. I like it because she only uses English, which is very different from China. She also makes learning very fun; we even use a telephone in the class to play educational games which helps us learn English. In China when we study, we only listen to the teacher and write down in our books. Here at Lexis, we get to speak in English and do lots of activities to help us learn.
In the first week of my stay, there were 4 of us joining TAP. There were 2 brothers from Vietnam and a boy from Spain.
What has been your favourite activity while you have been at Lexis?
I have been very lucky to do lots of activities in my 3 weeks. Some of the activities have been visiting the Perth Zoo, Caversham Wildlife Park, Fremantle and the Fremantle Markets, AQWA at Hilary’s Boat Harbour. I enjoyed tasting Aussie food – my favourite was the Lamington, but I didn’t really like Vegemite. I have also been bowling, to the WA museum, Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower. I got a certificate at the Bell Tower and ringing the bell was very heavy! But my favourite activity was visiting the beautiful Kings Park. Kings Park is one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, offering stunning views of the Perth skyline and Swan River. It’s a peaceful escape with lush gardens, bushland trails and the spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden, showcasing native plants and wildflowers. I really enjoyed seeing the flowers and eating yummy ice-cream!
You are living in a homestay, what has been the highlight?
I really enjoy playing with the children. There are two girls, 4 years and 5 years old. It is very different to China, as the children go to sleep at 7pm where in my home my 3-year-old brother goes to sleep at 10pm! In the evening after the girls go to bed I get to enjoy watching TV and drinking tea with my host mother and father. We do lots of things from going to the supermarket, making sushi, watching TV and drinking tea and eating chocolate!
I was also very lucky as my family took me to many places on the weekend. We visited a night market one evening, where I chose my dinner from a food truck, it was delicious. On the weekend we went to the local library and had a cookie date with my host sisters. The family also took me to Pinjarra, a town 1 hour from Perth. We had lunch there and played in the playground. Pinjarra is a charming town nestled along the banks of the Murray River, about 85 km south of Perth. Known for its rich heritage, natural beauty, and relaxed country atmosphere, Pinjarra offers a perfect blend of history and outdoor adventure
Meeting my host family was one of the scariest parts of coming to Australia—but it quickly became the most comforting. They didn’t expect perfect English or instant understanding. They just wanted me to feel safe and welcome.
If you’re a student thinking about studying in Australia, don’t be afraid of the homestay experience. It’s not just about having a place to sleep—it’s about having a second family.
Thank you to everyone at Lexis for helping me have a wonderful experience. I hope to come back to Australia one day to study again.
The next intake for TAP Perth will be July/August 2025
About the Lexis TAP Program:
TAP offers a fun mix of academic, cultural and sporting activities to international junior students. All activities are fully supervised by trained and qualified instructors, and parents are invited to check in each day at www.lexisjuniors.com to keep up with all the fun!
The college provides an ‘English Only’ environment to support learning. Intakes at Perth campus usually occur twice a year – visit the website for details.
See what else Lexis Perth has to offer:
Lexis Perth – delivers academic excellence in General English, Cambridge and IELTS Preparation. Download the 2025 Lexis English Brochure here or get in touch to enquire.
Lexis Training delivers professional training in Business, Marketing & Communication, Leadership & Management, Project Management, Beauty and English Language Teacher Training. Upper Intermediate English skills are a requirement. Enquire online.