What if your family could experience the world without leaving home?
Becoming a host family for an international exchange student in Australia or New Zealand is an opportunity to welcome a new culture into your everyday life, share your family traditions and build a connection that can last well beyond the exchange.
This year, YFU Australia & New Zealand is looking for welcoming families interested in hosting students from Switzerland, Argentina, France and the USA.
Meet the world from your own home
Every exchange student arrives with their own personality, interests, hopes and curiosity about life in Australia or New Zealand. They aren’t tourists—they become part of your family, joining in everyday routines, school life, meals, activities and community events.
And hosting isn’t about having a “perfect” family. YFU host families come in many different shapes and sizes. What matters most is being open-minded, welcoming and willing to include a young person in your everyday life.
🇨🇭 Switzerland: Discover a multilingual perspective
A student from Switzerland may bring stories from a country where several languages and cultures coexist. From Swiss traditions and food to school life and everyday customs, hosting a Swiss student can open up conversations about what it means to grow up in such a multilingual society.
🇦🇷 Argentina: Bring warmth and connection into your home
Argentine students can offer a window into a vibrant culture shaped by family, friendship, music, food and strong social connections. Hosting can be a wonderful opportunity to share Australian or New Zealand traditions while discovering what everyday teenage life looks like on the other side of the world.
🇫🇷 France: Share language, food and everyday culture
Hosting a French exchange student can bring a new perspective on school, family life, food and culture. Whether you’re curious about French traditions or simply excited to meet someone from another part of the world, your home could become their base for discovering life in Australia or New Zealand.
🇺🇸 USA: Discover a familiar culture from a different perspective
American students arrive from a country that may feel familiar through movies, music and popular culture—but everyday life can be surprisingly different. Hosting gives your family the chance to move beyond the stereotypes and discover the person, community and experiences behind the culture.
Why become a host family?
Hosting an exchange student can help your family:
- 🌏 Experience another culture at home
- 💬 Develop intercultural communication and understanding
- 🏡 Share your family’s everyday life and traditions
- 🤝 Build an international friendship
- 🌱 Help a young person grow in confidence and independence
- 👨👩👧👦 Give children and teenagers a meaningful global experience
YFU provides host families with training, support and a Local Coordinator throughout the exchange, as well as access to emergency support.
You don’t need to be an experienced traveller or have a large house. You simply need to be ready to open your home, heart and everyday life to someone new.
Could your family be a YFU host family?
If you’re in Australia or New Zealand and would love to welcome an exchange student from Switzerland, Argentina, France or the USA, we’d love to hear from you.
Open your home. Share your world. Welcome theirs.
First steps to become a YFU Host Family!
