What We Do
Real Stories
"Cristiano arrived with the usual Italian greeting—a kiss. That seems perfectly normal to me, but my husband was a bit surprised and our college-aged son quickly stuck out his hand for a handshake. We found that Cristiano was a quick learner."
Rosemary
With our beautiful landscapes and safe reputation for international visitors, New Zealand is growing as a desirable destination for international students wishing to study abroad. In fact, interest in a Kiwi high school year has increased substantially in the last five years. Young people around the world know that the only way to get to know the real New Zealand is to see it for themselves. By getting involved with EF Foundation, you give them the opportunity to do just that!
How Does High School Student Exchange Work?
One word sums up the success of EF Foundation’s high school student exchange program in New Zealand: volunteers. When families, communities and schools agree to host international visitors, student exchange flourishes.
As an Exchange Program Sponsor, EF Foundation takes care of all of the logistical aspects of the students’ experience: selecting and preparing qualified students, booking flights, proofing insurance coverage, and facilitating the student visa process.
It’s our Regional and International Exchange Coordinators, however, who make exchange happen in their communities. They find qualified host families in their regions and secure enrollments for our students in local high schools. Thanks to their hard work, our exchange students have families and schools eager to welcome them when they arrive.
Once students arrive, EF Foundation works with its local counterparts to make sure everyone involved in the exchange has a successful year using our unique network of support. When students return from their exchange experiences with a new perspective on the world—and host families have scrapbooks filled with precious memories—the work of student exchange has been accomplished!
Why is High School Student Exchange Important?
While sharing New Zealand is fun and rewarding in its own right, student exchange is about more than just ‘right now.’ It is a vital part of public diplomacy, as personal connections formed in adolescence make exchange students ambassadors for New Zealand throughout their lives. Not only do students spread the good word about New Zealand abroad, they often remain friends for life!