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Host a Student

Meet our Students!

Jump straight to the Australia bound student profiles now!
Let's go!

Meet our Students!

Jump straight to the New Zealand bound student profiles now!
Let's go!

A Rewarding Experience for Everyone!

Hosting an exchange student can be one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences for your whole family. Being a host family means opening your home, hearts and minds to a young person from overseas.

YFU exchange students are eager to learn about Australia and improve their English language skills.

YFU exchange students are eager to learn about New Zealand and improve their English language skills.

Our host families are open minded, flexible, tolerant and have a sense of humour. They are keen to learn about another country and culture and share their own lives and experiences with their student. The most important requirements are to:

  • make their exchange student feel genuinely welcome
  • help the student become part of their family and local community
  • support the student on their exchange journey
  • immediately inform YFU Student Exchange of any issues affecting the safety and well-being of the student.
  • Adhere to the YFU Student Exchange Child Safety guidelines and policy and contribute to our continuously developing child-safe culture where children and their well-being are at the centre.

Mandatory training and support materials are provided by YFU via our online Volunteer Portal.

In accordance with Australian regulations, hosting an exchange student is voluntary. Host families provide meals and lodging without financial reimbursement, upholding the values of cultural exchange and mutual respect mandated by the Australian regulatory authorities.

Hosting Durations:

You can host a student for three, five, or ten months. Students arrive with at least basic English and are ready to become part of your family and your family life. They are encouraged to participate in daily chores and family activities, enhancing their understanding of Australian culture and contributing to household dynamics.

Student Preparedness:

Each student comes equipped with travel insurance and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), ensuring they are well-prepared for their stay in Australia. They also bring personal spending money for incidentals such as toiletries, school supplies, and personal outings.

Student Profiles:

On our website, you’ll find profiles of students arriving in 2025. These profiles offer a glimpse into the students’ diverse backgrounds and interests, helping you find a great match for your family.

YFU Support & Training:

Each host family and student is supported by a YFU Local Coordinator, who provides initial and ongoing assistance throughout the exchange. Our dedicated professional staff are always on hand to answer questions and support your hosting journey. We foster an open and continuous dialogue to ensure a positive and enriching experience for both the student and your family. A 24/7 emergency phone number is provided to students and host families in case of emergencies.

There is mandatory training for new host families, and we foster support from experienced host families through our host mentor program.

How to become a YFU Host Family

If your family would like to become a host family, please make sure you meet the following requirements:

  • The student must have their own bed but they can share a room with a host sibling of the same gender.
  • The student must be provided with a place to study (can be the kitchen table) and three meals a day.
  • All adult host family and household members (over 18 years) must have a Working with Children check, (known as a ‘Blue Card’ in QLD) sign a Code of Conduct, undergo a Criminal Record Check and be interviewed by YFU Student Exchange.
  • Be willing to attend YFU training and events such as online orientations, which are designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and support for our exchange programs.
  • Ensure that the student adheres to the YFU rules and their visa regulations.

If you are keen to discover how you can open your family home and community to a secondary student from overseas please complete the following form and we will provide more information.

Apply Now!
YFU Host Family

Inbound Student Profiles

You can view our students' profiles below and there are more to come!
If you would like to host, please email us at info@yfu.au - we'd love to hear from you.

Marta

  • Country: Latvia
  • Duration: 3 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August, Departing: October
  • Dietary: None; Mild allergy to oranges that doesn’t require any treatment
  • Languages: Native language is Latvian and learning English and Russian

About Marta:

Marta sees herself as a person, who enjoys other people’s presence and cares a lot about others. She tries to be kind and forgiving to everyone and helps where needed. She describes herself as active and ambitious in school, and is curious about other countries, which she gets to explore with her family.

While on exchange:

Marta believes that the exchange will open her eyes to new experiences and impressions about everyday life abroad and will help her grow and learn more about herself and others.

Marta's interests:

The big passion of Marta is contemporary dance which has been doing for 12 years and hopes to continue whilst being in Australia. She likes to hang out with her friends and regularly goes to the gym to stay fit. Cooking, painting and especially reading are other interests of her.

Iris

  • Country: Belgium
  • Duration: 5 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August, Departing: December
  • Dietary: None; Allergies: None; Afraid of big dogs
  • Languages: Native language is French, and learning English and Dutch

About Iris:

Iris sees herself as an independent and sociable girl, who has a great sense of humor and is friendly and understanding. She is close to her parents and her three sisters and enjoys spending time with them and her grandparents as well as traveling together. She also likes going shopping with her friends or reading and watching movies at home.

While on exchange:

Iris enjoys discovering new countries and their people and is looking forward to getting to know the Australian ones while being here. She hopes that this exchange will get her out of her comfort zone and teach her how to live in a different culture.

Iris's interests:

Iris started playing rugby a year ago and hopes to continue this whilst on exchange. She has been part of the Youth Movement for 11 years and enjoys spending Sunday mornings with the group. At school, she is interested in social sciences and languages

Vitali

  • Country: France
  • Duration: 10 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August, Departing: May 2026
  • Dietary: None; Allergies: None
  • Languages: Native languages are French and Spanish, learning English and German

About Vitali:

Vitali sees herself as a sociable and smiling person, who can be determined but also reflective. She is curious and well-organized and would defend those that need it any time. Vitali is family-oriented and loves being around animals.

While on exchange:

Vitali is very curious and eager to try new things while in Australia. She hopes that this exchange will get her out of her comfort zone, allow her to meet people from a different culture, and to live new experiences which will shape her vision of life and broaden her perspective.

Vitali's interests:

Vitali loves dancing, which she has been doing for 10 years. She also enjoys surfing and skiing, as well as cooking and spending time with her friends outdoors. Another passion of hers is drawing and painting. At school she is most interested in sciences and wants to become a veterinarian.

Andrea

  • Country: Italy
  • Duration: 5 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August, Departing: December
  • Dietary: None; Allergies: None
  • Languages: Native language is Italian and learning English and Spanish

About Andrea:

Andrea is kind and respectful, loves having fun but also plays by the rules. He describes himself as a sunny guy who always tries to see the bright side of life.

While on exchange:

Andrea hopes the exchange will not only improve his English but will influence him in a positive way, making him more mature as well as helping him to discover his talents. And he wants to learn to play rugby from real champions.

Andrea's interests:

Andrea loves playing rugby which he has been doing for 11 years and would like to continue whilst on exchange. He’s good at many sports and likes to work out. He also likes to study and relaxes by playing video games or meeting up with friends.

Anni

  • Country: Finland
  • Duration: 10 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August 2025, Departing: May 2026
  • Dietary: None; Allergies: Mild pollen allergy, cat allergy but can live with a cat.
  • Languages: Native language: Finnish; Learning English, German, Swedish.

About Anni:

Anni is outgoing, sporty, energetic, and has been raised to be independent and responsible, while still being family-oriented. Her friends describe her as a happy person who always has a smile on her face.

While on exchange:

She would like to try out new things on exchange and build close relationships with her host family and new friends. She also hopes that her exchange year will help her become more resilient.

Anni's interests:

Anni loves to play Soccer, which she has done for 10 years already and would like to continue while on exchange. She likes many other sports as well, but you can also find her in the kitchen baking or watching movies and listening to music.

Sara

  • Country: Netherlands
  • Duration: 10 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August 2025, Departing: May 2026
  • Dietary: None; Allergies: None
  • Languages: Native language is Dutch and learning English, French, German and Mandarin

About Sara:

Sara, who is half Dutch, half Chinese, describes herself as a social and independent girl. She is very active and productive., loves music, (healthy) food, and spending time with her family.

While on exchange:

She is quite curious and likes to experience everything the world has to offer. She wants to use this exchange to discover herself and try new things.

Sara's interests:

Sara likes dancing almost every day and would love to continue dancing whilst on exchange. Her other hobbies include singing, acting, Pilates or stretching. She also likes cooking with her mother.

Olga

  • Country: Italy
  • Duration: 5 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August 2025, Departing: December 2025
  • Dietary: None; Allergies None
  • Languages: Native language is Italian and is learning French and English

About Olga:

Olga is a good listener and support to her friends who describe her as an energetic and determined person who always brings enthusiasm, fun and good vibes to the group.

While on exchange:

She hopes to discover more about herself, understand what she truly enjoys and what kind of person she wants to become. She would like to try new activities while in Australia.

Olga's interests:

Generally Olga doesn’t follow sports but you can sometimes find her watching volleyball, tennis or a special sporting event with her mum. She has been playing basketball for 10 years and would love to continue whilst on exchange.

Giulia

  • Country: Switzerland
  • Duration: 10 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August 2025, Departing: May 2026
  • Dietary: She doesn't eat fish; Allergies: Mild allergy to nickel that does not need treatment.
  • Languages: Native language is German and is learning French and English

About Giulia:

Giulia is an accepting person who is honest, self-confident and loving.

While on exchange:

Giulia is hoping to try new things that she cannot do in Switzerland and has chosen Australia for its uniqueness. She has never been here before but has heard so many wonderful things and cannot wait to experience life here.

Giulia's interests:

She listens to music everyday as it makes her happy. She loves to draw, is a scout, plays volleyball.

Kaja

  • Country: Norway
  • Duration: 10 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August 2025, Departing: May 2026
  • Dietary: None; Allergies, None
  • Languages: Native language is Norwegian and is learning English & Spanish

About Kaja:

Kaja enjoys music, meeting up with her friends, spending time outdoors, watching movies & photography. She tries to be helpful and available for others and believes in a positive attitude and an open mind.

While on exchange:

She can’t wait to meet new people of different backgrounds and make new friends.

Kaja's interests:

She loves outdoor activities in general, especially hiking and biking and together with her family they are very active.

Milla

  • Country: Norway
  • Duration: 10 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August 2025, Departing: May 2026
  • Dietary: None; Allergies: None
  • Languages: Native language is Norwegian and learning English

About Milla:

Milla says that she is an outgoing person who loves meeting new people and engaging in social activities. Her friendly nature makes it easy for her to connect with others and build strong relationships.

While on exchange:

She’s hoping to broaden her horizons and have a better understanding of different traditions, customs, and ways of life. She’s also hoping to make new friends and connections.

Milla's interests:

Milla is the captain of her handball team, and would be keen to continue playing whilst on exchange. She also hikes, goes to the gym and likes swimming at the beach and is very active with her family.

Teije

  • Country: Netherlands
  • Duration: 10 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August 2025, Departing: May 2026
  • Dietary: None; Allergies, None
  • Languages: Native language is Dutch and learning English and French

About Teije:

Teije is very sporty and loves the exercise and the competitive components of it. He is close with his family and grandparents and says that he can be a little shy when meeting new people for the first time, but once he’s comfortable he can be very social.

While on exchange:

He hopes to become fluent in English and go home knowing he is part of an Australian family in addition to his own. When in Australia, he would love to try rugby or another sport that is new to him and hopes to become more independent, and open to another culture.

Teije's interests:

His current sports are Frisian (Kaatsen) handball and soccer and he would love to continue them on exchange if possible. Besides sports, he enjoys motorcycles and cars and is currently building a moped. He likes watching soccer, Formula 1, MotoGP, and rugby.

Victoire

  • Country: France
  • Duration: 10 Months
  • Dates: Arriving: August 2025, Departing: May 2026
  • Dietary: None; Allergies: She has a mild allergy to pollen & can have mild irritation when in contact with melon juice, raw carrot juice and kiwi juice. These do not pose any medical risk.
  • Languages: Native language is French and is learning English, Italian and German

About Victoire:

Victoire would describe herself as an enthusiastic, dynamic person who enjoys trying new things. Shopping and playing computer games aren’t her thing but instead she enjoys playing board games, chess and darts. Her family try to eat healthy, but as her mother is Italian, they eat a lot of Italian food. While on exchange, Victoire hopes to grow, to become more mature, build up her self-confidence and get to know herself better.

While on exchange:

Victoire likes playing volleyball and she also plays the hurdy-gurdy instrument and would love to continue whilst on exchange!

Victoire's interests:

Her interests are traditional, hard rock and folk metal music, wearing hats, & watching skateboard competitions. She also enjoys skating although she isn’t good at it. She reads books, writes and draws and is part of a theater group at school.

Inbound Student Profiles

Profiles of students arriving in August 2025 are now available

View the profiles of the YFU exchange students looking for a host family in New Zealand.

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