Hosting with ENCOUNTERS
Support meaningful cultural exchange in your school community.
ENCOUNTERS works with host schools to place international students into real school environments — where they participate, connect, and experience daily life alongside local students.
Our role is to ensure that every placement is structured, supported, and aligned with your school — making the experience positive, manageable, and valuable for everyone involved.
What hosting involves
Students are integrated into your school community and take part in everyday school life.
This typically includes:
• attending classes alongside local students
• participating in school activities and events
• engaging with peers in real social and academic settings
Programs may also include homestay arrangements coordinated alongside the school experience.
These are not short visits or observational programs.
Students are expected to participate, engage, and contribute to the school environment.
Support and structure
ENCOUNTERS manages the coordination and structure of each program to ensure clarity and consistency.
This includes:
• program planning and alignment
• communication before and during the program
• coordination with host families where applicable
• ongoing support for students and schools
Schools are not expected to manage the program independently.
ENCOUNTERS provide a clear framework, ongoing communication, and on-the-ground support throughout the experience.
Why schools participate
BRING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION INTO YOUR OWN SCHOOL
Hosting gives local students an opportunity to experience international exchange without travelling overseas.
Through everyday interaction with visiting students, local students can:
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Develop cross-cultural communication skills
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Use another language in authentic situations
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Build friendships across cultures
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Gain confidence interacting with people who think and communicate differently
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Develop curiosity about the wider world
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Grow in hospitality, leadership, and responsibility
Programs are designed to fit within your school context -- supporting, not disrupting, your existing structure.