Valuable and long lasting friendships are formed through our exchange program. Hosting an exchange student provides all participants the opportunity to broaden their understanding of current issues and everyday life in both Australia and Germany. Furthermore, communication between a German student and the Australian host family is not only beneficial and rewarding but promotes cultural understanding for all involved.
Students who have previously hosted a German student through the SAGSE program and are wishing to apply for the SAGSE scholarship will see their
application 'fast-tracked': Applications by students who have previously hosted will automatically be short listed in consideration for the
program, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and complete an application form.
Scholarships are awarded to students at the completion of Year 11 (as well as Year 12 in Victoria).
Each year approximately 20-25 students are short listed in each state to be interviewed for the scholarship. Students who have previously
hosted automatically receive an entry into the final interview stage of the scholarship selection. This entitlement applies only for each time
the student has hosted a German student so that if the student hosts once he or she is entitled to be short-listed only once. Please
note that host students who are younger than year 11 may carry over their interview advantages until they reach the eligible age.
Past host students have found the interview advantages to be beneficial in assisting their prospects of winning a scholarship.
German students are required to attend school with their host brother or sister for the duration of their time in Australia. This provides students
with the opportunity to meet Australian students of similar age and to gain a greater understanding of Australian schools and our education
system. Each school is encouraged to provide the German student with a personal timetable and assign her or him to specific classes to ensure
she or he receives the full benefits of the school experience with minimal disruption to classes. This, however, is at the discretion of the
school. The German students’ experiences can be greatly enhanced if they are allowed to attend different classes at different levels to facilitate
language development and a wider appreciation of Australian culture.
It is usual for the German students to undertake at their own cost one short trip in small groups without their host families. The length of such trip is limited to 5 days. Students must obtain written permission from their families in Germany, as well as the written consent of their host families and SAGSE. Students will be provided with itinerary forms which they are required to complete, listing their intended location(s) and accommodation(s) on each of the 5 days and contact address(es) and telephone number(s). A copy of this form will be retained by the host family and a copy will be given to the Host Family Coordinators.
Host families will be responsible for the student during their stay. Board or fees of any description will not be paid by SAGSE or by the student. Students will carry a sum of spending money enabling them to meet extra costs, such as independent travel. All students will be fully insured upon their arrival in Australia. Health insurance is covered by Medibank Private and is coordinated by SAGSE.
There will be a camp (organised by GASS) for the German students and their host siblings, during the July school holidays. The German students
will all have paid for this camp in advance.
Representatives of both SAGSE and GASS will be in contact with host families before and during the German student's stay. The SAGSE and GASS Host Family Coordinators will organise interviews with the families who have applied and be available to answer queries regarding the program. Host families will also receive the GASS newsletter, informing them of social and other events organised by GASS. The SAGSE Host Family Local Coordinators will be in touch with host families and host schools periodically by phone throughout the German student's stay to make sure everything is running smoothly and to provide further support or help which may be required.
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Listen to a radio interview by SBS German Radio with a host family who recently hosted a German Exchange Student in Melbourne about their experience (in German):
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If you are interested in hosting a German student, follow the link below to download the application form or head to our Forms & Documents page.
2020 Hosting a German Exchange Student (148 KB)
2020 Host Family Application Form - VIC (112 KB)
2020 School Consent Form Host Family - VIC (110 KB)