Experience Life with an Australian Host Family
Living with an Australian host family during your stay at Meridan State College is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the Australian lifestyle and culture.
Our International Homestay Coordinator will match you with one of our carefully selected host families, who provide a warm, welcoming, and supportive home environment. Families live in safe community areas near natural attractions such as Currimundi Lake and beautiful beaches like Dicky Beach and King's Beach—giving international students the opportunity to truly enjoy the best of the Sunshine Coast.
Living with an Australian family helps you improve your English skills, learn about daily life in Australia, and form lifelong friendships and connections.
The wellbeing of our international students is our highest priority. All of our homestay families undergo police and criminal history checks to ensure they are suitable and safe hosts for our students.
Helpful Tips for a Great Homestay Experience
- Always speak English
- Embrace Australian culture and try new experiences—even Vegemite!
- Share your own culture with your host family
- Make Australian friends
- Offer to help with household chores
- Join your host family on outings whenever possible
- Share stories about your day at mealtimes
- Explore all the Sunshine Coast has to offer
- Make the most of every opportunity
- Always show respect
Interested in Becoming a Homestay Family?
Hosting an international student is a rewarding cultural exchange experience.
International students pay a fee to live with an Australian host family because they want to be part of everyday Australian life. It's a chance for them to improve their English, immerse themselves in our culture, and build meaningful connections as a valued member of your household. If you would like to enquire and receive further information about how to become a host family please contact us via email MSC-International@meridansc.eq.edu.au
Testimonials
Homestay
Family References
The Larnach Family
Nick and I have had so many positive experiences through hosting students. Even though our son has left home, we get to continue to nurture and shape young people into more mature and independent young adults. We get to learn about life in other countries and have relationships all over the world. Sometimes parents come to visit the students while they are here and we get to know them too. We love teaching them about Aussie lifestyle and taking drives and showing special places we like to visit. Most of all we just love hosting to provide a home away from their home that they can be themselves in.
Markham Family
We have been lucky enough to host international students for Meridan for a number of years now. During this time we have had the pleasure of welcoming various young people from several countries into our family. We enjoy sharing cultural experiences and learning about the different food norms relevant to each country. Not only does it increase our knowledge of the world outside of Australia it also increases our international family and we love to stay in touch with past students as they grow and graduate.
The Cowell Family
I have been hosting international students through Meridan State College since 2018. This experience began as a suggestion from a friend and I have not regretted the decision since. My son was only 5 years old at the time and I thought this experience would enrich our lives culturally. Not only did we open our home to new people, we opened our hearts. We have made lifelong connections with these students who truly became a member of our family, and by extension their families became ours as well. I would have to admit that the hardest part of the program, is honestly having to say goodbye. Our positive experiences are a credit to the International Coordinators, Fleur and Dee at Meridan State College. They put considerable thought and effort into finding the best fit for the students and the host family. They continually support everyone and keep families and students informed throughout the program.
The Gilkes-Cox family
Hosting international students has been a very rewarding experience for my family. We have met new people and made friends not just with students but also their families, who continue to stay in touch and check in. We have had fun creating memories and welcoming students into our family, whether it is just a fun family dinner or a day out somewhere. As UK immigrants ourselves, sharing the Aussie lifestyle and seeing others discover the beauty of the Sunshine Coast like we did, is a delight. We encourage our students to explore and make the most of all of the opportunities available to them, whether exploring the Coast themselves or taking part in activities and excursions offered by the School. Students and Host Families are supported by a dedicated International team at Meridan who are always just a phone call or email away. Being a host family has been a wonderful experience for each member of our family and we look forward to welcoming many more students in to our home to enjoy the lifestyle we love.