Community Announcement - Host Families Needed In January 2014

Have you ever wondered where Princess Mary lives in Copenhagen, how to make your own Italian pasta, learn French, or perhaps want to learn more about skiing in Japan?

Why not join Student Exchange Australia New Zealand (SEANZ) as a host family to welcome a new group of overseas students to New Zealand in June/July 2014. These high school students will be arriving from 11 countries across Europe, Japan, the USA, and Latin America.

We are looking for host families across New Zealand to welcome these students into their home for anywhere between 2 and 10 months. It is an experience that is often referred to as a way to ‘reignite your passion for New Zealand’, whilst at the same time creating bonds and sharing lifelong memories.

As host mum Christine, from Northland Region, commented, “One of the best things about having the boys stay with us has been experiencing NZ from their perspective. They have helped us to see NZ, our culture, food, lifestyle, and community from a completely different perspective. There are so many things that we take for granted or think of as being normal, but seeing things through their eyes has been a very rewarding and enlightening experience”.

Christine and husband Stephen found the experience extremely satisfying. Christine commented, “Hosting has been a very rewarding experience for us. We have enjoyed getting to know them and watching them adjust to life in a foreign country. We are so glad that we hosted them together”.

A photo of some of our New Zealand exchange students can be viewed here

Host families come in all shapes and sizes, backgrounds and ages. Perhaps one of your colleagues may want to enjoy this unique experience too, just like Christine and Stephen. We would be grateful if you would place a notice in your newsletter/bulletin or mention it on your website. You can download the newsletter notice here in PDF format.

All students have at least basic levels of English, would attend a school in your local area and live the life of a local. Our group of students cover a wide variety of interests and hobbies. You can also view some of our student profiles on our website. This is just a small sample of all the students who will be arriving. Our staff members will be happy to discuss which student might be best suited to a family.

Student Exchange Australia New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation registered with the NZ Ministry of Education. For further information please visit our website www.studentexchange.org.nz/host-a-student or call our New Zealand office on 0800 440 079 to speak with one of our Area Representatives in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson, Christchurch and Wellington.

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