What a school exchange is

School exchanges are programmes where students can live and study in another country. Students get the chance to experience a new school, a different education system, a new culture, and sometimes a new language. Most exchange students live with host families.

The main purpose of a school exchange is educational. Programmes where travel is primarily for sporting, cultural or tourism activities are not exchanges.

Types of school exchanges

School exchanges may be run directly by schools or by private exchange programme organisations (EPOs).

Schools and EPOs are required to provide pastoral care for both all exchange students in line with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 (the Code).

Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice – NZQA

School-to-school exchanges

School-to-school exchanges are direct partnerships between a New Zealand school and a school overseas.

If you're a student or parent of student interested in a school-to-school exchange, talk to your school.

Exchange programme organisations

Exchange programme organisations (EPOs) are independent groups approved by us to run secondary school exchange programmes in New Zealand.

If you want to go on an international exchange and your school isn’t part of a school-to-school programme, contact an EPO directly.

Visa requirements

International students coming to New Zealand

International students on exchanges longer than 3 months require a visa to stay in New Zealand. Contact Immigration New Zealand for more information.

Assist students – Immigration NZ

New Zealand students on an exchange

The foreign country decides any visa or permit requirements.

Discuss what visa requirement is needed with your school or the EPO.