Wanted: Adelaide families with a spare room and a desire to make a real difference in a young person’s education.

In return you’ll get an amazing opportunity to make a new connection, gain a new perspective and discover a new culture.

Around 700 international students will commence at a South Australian government school next year, and there are still opportunities for families to host them.

All family types – singles, couples, families with children, empty nesters or retirees – are eligible to host a homestay, with ongoing support provided in the form of:

• a personalised home visit from the Education Department’s International Education Services team and an information session
• a homestay handbook to guide your hosting journey
• homestay newsletters and updates
• an exciting range of homestay activities and giveaways
• ongoing support via the Homestay Accommodation Team
• 24-hour emergency telephone support service.

The international students, who are all aged 12 or older, come from a wide range of countries.

Families can choose to host a student for a period of time that best suits them, with a weekly allowance of $340 in 2024 (increased from $310) contributing to covering costs.

International Education Services Director Narelle Slivak said that a lot of care went into matching students with the right host family so that both parties got the most from the experience.

"The students outline what their interests are and what they like doing,” Ms Slivak said.

“They might play musical instruments or they might like outdoor activities.

“And our host family share a profile of what they like to do and we’ll then go through a process of matching a student with a family.”

Ms Slivak said there were a range of options for anyone thinking of hosting a family.

“Some families might offer to host a student for up to five weeks, while others might prefer a term and some can do a whole year,” she said.

Ms Slivak said the experience was often transformative for both students and hosts.

“It’s an opportunity to learn about another culture and see the world through a different perspective,” she said.

Find out more about hosting a student and apply today.

More information on the International Student Program is available on the South Australian Government Schools website or for queries, contact International Education Services via education.isp@sa.gov.au