Exchange students soak up Kiwi style

UNIQUE KIWI EXPERIENCE: Prime Minister John Key wandered over for a chat when AFS student Katrine-Elizabeth Pelletier from Canada visited Parliament.

The Kiwi way of life is quickly becoming second nature to 19 American Field Service students who at the moment call North Shore home.

They come from countries as diverse as Iceland, Latvia, France, Paraguay, Finland and Panama and are hosted by families for up to a year.

Many play rugby or netball and some have learnt to sail and windsurf. The students have taken part in Santa parades, the Round the Bays fun run and attended Anzac parades.

Most of the students list a recent 10-day trip around the South Island as the highlight of their year.

They’ve tried their hand at bungy jumping, jet boating and sky diving in Queenstown, swam with dolphins in Kaikoura and looked on in awe at the beauty of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound.

Katrine-Elizabeth Pelletier, a French Canadian, won’t tour the South Island until September but she’s already experienced something unique.

During a visit to Wellington she met Prime Minister John Key.

Katrine-Elizabeth and her host family were looking around Parliament when Mr Key wandered over for a chat and photo.

"Not many people get to have their photo taken with the prime minister," she says.

AFS North Shore is looking for more host families to accommodate students arriving in July.

If you would like an international experience without having to leave home call AFS on 0800-600-300 or the North Shore hosting co-ordinator, email hosting@afsns.org.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News