Semester Programme Students
5 Months
Mid January – July 2027
Nikolaus from Austria
Nikolaus enjoys making people laugh and has a great sense of humour.
He loves spending time with friends and family, whether it’s gaming, going to the gym, skiing, hiking, or exploring the outdoors. He also has a strong interest in technology and enjoys studying Digital Literacy at school.
Open-minded and eager to embrace new experiences, Nikolaus is excited to immerse himself in a new culture, become part of a host family, and share his Austrian background while building meaningful connections.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 3 months
Languages: German, English & Spanish
Interests: hiking, skiing, technology
Vincent from Switzerland
Vincent is a curious and motivated student with a strong passion for mathematics and physics, which are his favourite subjects at school.
He enjoys exploring these areas beyond the classroom through tutorials, problem-solving, and participating in academic challenges such as a national physics tournament. Vincent has been an active member of his local Scout group since 2019 and enjoys adapting to new situations while spending time outdoors.
He values family time through shared meals, game nights, and outings. Vincent is excited to experience New Zealand’s culture and natural beauty, make new friends, and become part of a host family.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 9 months
Languages: German, English & Swiss German
Interests: problem-solving, game nights, outdoor activities
Mathias from Paraguay
Mathias is a friendly and resilient 15-year-old from Paraguay who loves sports, especially rugby.
He is sociable, organised, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, volunteering, and being involved in his community. Having stayed with host families abroad, he is comfortable adapting to new environments and is excited to experience New Zealand, meet new people, and share his Paraguayan culture.
Mathias is also interested in education, business, and entrepreneurship and looks forward to becoming part of a host family.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 1 month
Languages: Spanish & English
Interests: sports, business, cooking
Melinda from Austria
Melinda is a friendly, independent and adventurous 16-year-old from Austria. She enjoys horse riding, reading, music, travelling, diving and spending time with her friends and family.
She has been horse riding for eight years and is passionate about dressage and jumping. Melinda loves trying new foods and cooking, especially traditional Austrian dishes.
At school, she particularly enjoys history and politics. She is very excited to experience life in New Zealand, explore its nature and wildlife, learn about Māori culture, make new friends and improve her English.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 7 months
Languages: German, English & Russian
Interests: horse riding, cooking, nature
Year Programme Students
11 Months
Mid January – December 2027
Chiara from Switzerland
Chiara is a friendly, open-minded, and caring 16-year-old from a small village in the Swiss Alps. She enjoys reading, snowboarding, listening to music, cooking, and baking, and has a passion for animals, hoping to study Zoology in the future.
Although she no longer rides horses due to her school schedule, she still volunteers at her local stables teaching children. Chiara is excited to experience New Zealand’s culture, improve her English, meet new people, and share a little of Switzerland with her host family.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 9 months
Languages: German & English
Interests: cooking, horse riding, reading
Raku from Japan
Raku is a cheerful, friendly and independent 16-year-old from Japan who loves sports and outdoor activities.
He particularly enjoys surfing, swimming, snowboarding and camping, as well as listening to music, reading manga and watching movies. Raku is a confident and sociable young person who enjoys making friends and has previous international experience from a one-month study programme in Australia.
He is looking forward to experiencing New Zealand, improving his English, exploring the outdoors and sharing Japanese culture and food with his host family.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 9 months
Languages: Japanese & English
Interests: surfing, snowboarding, reading manga
Yiran from China
Yiran is a friendly, responsible and independent 16-year-old student.
He is a quiet and caring person who enjoys helping others and takes pride in being dependable. Yiran has a strong interest in science, particularly chemistry, and has been recognised at school for his involvement in science experiments and activities. Outside of school, he enjoys playing badminton, swimming, photography and spending time in nature. He also likes cooking simple Chinese dishes and dumplings.
Yiran is very excited about his AFS exchange and hopes to experience New Zealand culture, improve his English, share Chinese traditions and become an active and valued member of his host family.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 10 months
Languages: Mandarin & English
Interests: chemistry, cooking, badminton
Kaori from Japan
Kaori is a thoughtful, mature and open-minded 16-year-old. She enjoys connecting with different people, learning from others and building genuine relationships while respecting personal space.
She is interested in traditional Japanese tea, sustainability, social issues, business and cross-cultural understanding. At school, she enjoys spending time with a variety of friends and is proactive about learning from professionals in fields that interest her.
Through her exchange, Kaori hopes to improve her English, learn about New Zealand’s sustainable practices and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures. She hopes to study overseas in the future and work towards creating fairer and more sustainable business systems. She is looking forward to becoming part of a host family, sharing everyday life together and developing a warm, honest and natural connection.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 8 months
Languages: Spanish & English
Interests: Japanese tea, sustainability, meeting new people
Javier from Chile
Javier is a charismatic, curious, and active young man who enjoys meeting new people, trying new experiences, and bringing positive energy to those around him.
He is very close to his family and values respect, teamwork, responsibility, and supporting others. Javier enjoys sports and staying active, as well as hands-on hobbies such as building, construction, and welding. He particularly enjoys working with tools and materials, learning practical skills, and creating things from scratch.
He is organised and responsible, balancing school, sports, family time, and his hobbies well. Javier is excited about his AFS exchange as an opportunity to become more independent, experience a different culture, step outside his comfort zone, and build meaningful connections with his host family and community. In the future, he hopes to study agricultural engineering, combining his interests in technology, innovation, and practical skills.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 8 months
Languages: Spanish & English
Interests: building, sports, meeting new people
Yurina from Japan
Yurina is a friendly and creative 15-year-old student from Japan. She enjoys drawing, art, creative crafts, playing video games, and spending time with her family and friends.
Although she can be a little reserved at first, she becomes warm and talkative once she gets to know people. Yurina is excited to come to New Zealand to improve her English, experience a new culture, enjoy the beautiful nature, and try new school subjects.
She is looking forward to becoming part of a host family and making new memories during her exchange.
Age on Arrival: 16 years 3 months
Languages: Japanese & English
Interests: creative crafts, video games, nature
Start the application process
All types of families are encouraged to apply; there is no “typical” AFS host family. As a not-for-profit organisation, AFS doesn’t pay host families. Hosting an AFS exchange student is your family’s chance to experience a new culture in your own home. AFS friendships last a lifetime, expand your horizons and give you a new son or daughter. AFS offers support throughout the entire process.
Email us [email protected] or complete our Hosting Enquiry form
Talk with our Hosting Coordinator
Our dedicated Hosting Coordinator will help answer your questions about hosting and let you know how to get started once you’re ready.