Become a host
Homestay
Hosting a homestay student is a great way for you and your family to experience cultural exchange from the comfort of home.
A unique experience
Homestay is a unique experience where an international student lives with a New Zealand family.
Your homestay student experiences authentic kiwi life, participating in your household’s everyday activities. And you’ll learn about life in their home country and hear about the new experiences they’re having as a student in New Zealand. You get to support a young person as they study, and the homestay student gets a safe environment from which to explore local life.
Plus it’s a great way to earn a bit of extra income from your spare room. We need hosts for both short stay students (2–4 weeks) and long stay students (6–12 months).
“Hosting students is a rewarding experience for me and my family. We get to teach them about our rich culture, and in turn, we get to learn about theirs. Homestay students are extremely grateful that we open our homes to them.”
Carly Nesbit
Homestay Host
Requirements
Homestay hosts are expected to provide a private bedroom, bedding, internet connection, a quiet study space and meals. You get to play host and show your student around Dunedin, making sure they know their way to and from campus.
We are looking for all kinds of homes with all kinds of hosts! There’s no ‘right’ type of host—whether you live alone or with family members, whether you’re working or retired, if you have the space and time to welcome in a homestay student, we would love to hear from you.
We do always have extra need for homes without pets, homes with 2 rooms available and homes that can cater for special dietary requirements.
You must be open to hosting a student of any gender.
- Long stay students arrive starting in late January 2024.
- Short-stay students arrive in March and July 2024.
Apply for homestay
If you have any questions or would like to have a chat about what’s involved, please call 021735100 or email homestay@op.ac.nz
Apply to be a homestay host and help a student experience New Zealand.
Contact us
If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
