After two years of Covid-19 border restrictions, international students are finally able to return to Timaru schools.
Timaru Boys’ High School and Timaru Girls’ High School director of international students Andrew Gill said the process of rebuilding international student numbers had been quicker than he thought, but he believed it would be a two›to three›year process to completely rebuild.
‘‘Having them back here is exciting.’’
Mr Gill said eight international students — five boys and three girls — had remained in Timaru over the past two years.
‘‘They only just got to go home and see their families for the holidays in July, but next year is already really busy.’’
International students helped provide funding for domestic schools and were a massive benefit to the community, Mr Gill said.
Most of the international students he saw stayed for three to four years, then went on to become residents and study at university in New Zealand.
Timaru Boys’ High School homestay co-ordinator Gillian Martin said the international students also benefited from learning English as a second language and experiencing a different culture.
‘‘It’s pretty cool. It’s been two long years of not knowing when they could come back.’’
She said the local boys loved having them there and were super inclusive.
They both expected to have 50 to 60 international students next year but were struggling to find homestays for the first term in 2023.
‘‘The homestays we have contacted have said their circumstances have changed, so we need new families.’’
People could host an international student for periods ranging from two weeks to a school term or a year.
The aim was for families to provide the student with experiences, and make sure they were safe and well looked after.
‘‘It’s just about their willingness to bring a different culture into their own home and welcome them.’’
A homestay information evening will be held on August 18 from 6pm-9pm at Hogben Hall at Timaru Boys’ High School.
