From the International Office

This month we want to say a big THANKYOU to our international student host families. We can’t have an international student programme without you.

Hillcrest currently has 21 international students living with a host family and for most of them this is the first time they have ever been away from their families. The care and support they get enables them to settle, grow, be happy and be successful. Most importantly it helps the students feel they have a home far away from home.   

My name is Jenna. I am from South Korea.  I started living with my homestay family in June 2023.  My host family members are grandmother, mum, dad, two sisters and two brothers and big dog Juno. My host family is super important to me because they helped me get used to living in NZ.  I feel their home can be my happy place even though I am not in my home country for the very  first time.  I love them so much. 

Sometimes we watch movies together and bake some desserts.  We have been on little trips to Rotorua and Auckland, they take me to some good restaurants and my big sisters take me shopping.  We also play board games together which is the best memory for me.

My host parents treat me like I am a real family member. They always ask me how my day was and if everything is ok.  They also take care of my health just like my real parents and tell me to eat vegetables and play sports 😆 When I need help with my school work they try to help me every time. This makes me feel like I am actually living with my real family.  

My name is Yuma and I’m from Japan. This is my second year at Hillcrest High School and living with my host family .  The family includes  my host mother, host father, host sister, host brother and another international student from Thailand.  

My host family is really important to me because I can learn new things and new perspectives through them. I feel like I’m a part of the family and it makes me feel safe and comfortable to stay with them.  Because I’m living away from my family, I sometimes feel lonely, but spending time with my host family helps me to ease the loneliness. My homestay family is really supportive and I can always ask them for help with anything.  We do lots of things together on the weekends and especially love playing board games and being active outside. 

Hi, my name is Emilia, I’m from Chile and I arrived in New Zealand at the beginning of the year. I am living with a host family. They have been very kind and offer me their help and support. I’ve had a very good experience with them.

It is surprising how different the cultures are in each country, but I have got used to it and have learned many things. I have shown them some typical Chilean foods and they show me what the culture is like here. We go out for walks and see places together, as well as spending time with friends and family

My host family  has become something important to me because they are people with patience and empathy.  They have been incredible and will be part of me and my story as a person forever.