Host Families Needed!!

Borders have opened and we have a lot of new international students coming to study at Cashmere High School in 2023. We are looking for host families to welcome these students into their homes. If you are interested, have any questions or would like more information please call one of our team on 03 337 4725 or send an email to Sylvia Seelen our Homestay Coordinator: homestay@cashmere.school.nz

You can find more information on our website about hosting an international student.

Student Stories

I am Greta Hoepken, 15 years old and from Germany. I decided to come to New Zealand for six months. I really like it here so far; all the people are nice. I have made a few friends who I really appreciate. I have also grown very fond of my host family, who have welcomed and integrated me from the very beginning. They are now like my second family. My host sisters have become like my own sisters. And I am very grateful for that. I can talk to my host parents about anything, and they have contributed a lot to making my stay abroad so wonderful. They show me so much about nature and the country in general. We also have a lot of plans for the next 2 1/2 months, which I'm really looking forward to. I have also met a lot of great people through playing hockey. Unfortunately, the season is over now, but I was in the 1st hockey team at Cashmere High School and got to go to tournament in Nelson, it was a great experience. It was so much fun! From the beginning, everyone made me feel welcome and I really felt like I belonged. I'm definitely very happy to be here and I'm looking forward to my remaining time in New Zealand.

By Greta Hoepken (Germany)

Kia ora! My name is Uxue, and I am an international student from Spain in year 12. I only stayed here for 3 months, but my experience was amazing! Playing football and meeting new people was the best part of being at Cashmere High School.

My host family were amazing, I had the opportunity to travel to so many places around the South Island and around Christchurch. I loved travelling around with my host family.

I played in the First XI Football Team for Cashmere High School and even though we didn’t win the regular competition, we had the opportunity to travel to Dunedin to play the winter tournament and... we won!

At the same time, I played with the school team, I played with pride, one of the best teams in Christchurch. This gave me the chance to travel with the team and get to know people around Christchurch with the same hobbies that I have.

I also had the chance to go to the formal. A special event for year 12 and 13 where I met new people and danced with my kiwi friends. This was during the first week of my arrival, it was a good opportunity to have fun and meet new people from the same high school.

By Uxue Quiroga Otero (Spain)