All International Students at Awatapu College live with a homestay family approved by the school, or with their parent/s or designated caregiver. Homestay families are carefully selected, having been assessed (including police vetting) as suitable caregivers. Students may not live in a flatting situation. Students are assured of individual bedrooms with study facilities.
We have a pastoral team responsible for selecting homestay families, placing students with suitable families, providing ongoing support, monitoring, and handling administrative duties. They will assist with arranging a suitable homestay family and liaise with them on your behalf.
Host families are visited 2-3 times per year, and students are interviewed at the end of every term. There is a 24/7 mobile number available to all international students and their homestay families to contact staff at any time if the need arises.
There is a weekly homestay fee as outlined in our Fees and Enrolment section.
Host families are expected to include their international student as an extended member of their family (not just a boarder) and offer them a true 'Kiwi experience'. In return, they are offered the opportunity to learn about other cultures and form lifelong friendships that reach across the globe.
A weekly remuneration is paid to host families by the school. As a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students, Awatapu College complies with all government requirements.
For more information about becoming a host family, please contact the International Department or complete the form below and return it to [email protected] to commence your application process. We will make contact to arrange a visit at a time that suits you.
We encourage our International Students to travel within New Zealand during the school holidays. They may travel with their host families, parents or on trips and activities organised by school groups, their agent or approved student travel companies. Independent travel while studying at Awatapu College is not permitted.
All travel/holiday arrangements must be approved by the Director of International Education. A weekly homestay retainer fee of $50 is paid by the student while the student is away.