The new arrivals take them to a total of 10 overseas visitors.

The beginning of term one saw the first students arrive from three very different countries.

John Hartsock comes from Texas in the United States.

He applied for an American Field Service (AFS) scholarship for the exchange after hearing about his friend’s great experience on exchange in Australia five years ago.

“I really like it a lot but it’s very different to home,” John said.

“The city I come from has 59,000 people so Wellington is quite different.”

While he is having a little trouble adjusting to rural living, John’s host family has made settling into a new environment much easier.

Alex Fortacz is on exchange from Vienna and said her host family had made all the difference.

“When I arrived I felt culture shock - it’s hard to be alone. But it has been good and I like my host family,” Alex said.

“It’s nice here but Wellington is kind of small compared to my town.

“My host family spoil me and it’s been very good. Staying with a host family helps you learn a lot about yourself and your family.”

Makiko Tomita left her family for an Aussie adventure for completely different reasons.

“I play rugby and Australia has good rugby,” Makiko said.

Makiko also set herself the goal of learning better English so she can return to Japan and talk to her friends in a different language.

While she was quick to settle into farm life in Australia where the air is clear, it’s a far cry from her home city in Japan.

Since arriving in Australia her English has improved out of sight and she has made great friends.

The New Zealand students arrived in Australia on a Rotary short exchange and will in town until the end of term.

Having been in the country for only one day when they were interviewed, the group offered some fresh insight into arriving in a new country:

“There was a lot of confusion when I said I was going to stay in Wellington - most people thought I meant Wellington, New Zealand.”

“It’s flat.”

“My host family is spoiling me. I’ve been overfed.”

“Distances have been an issue - ‘only’ five hours drive away. I don’t know what they mean by ‘only’.”