
Study Geelong’s International Friends Program
Study Geelong’s International Friends Program provides a supportive platform for international students in Geelong, and local community members, to build connections, share interests and enjoy cross-cultural exchange.
An international student is matched with a local person/family for 12 weeks to get to know each other and share culture. International Friends is not a live-in hosting program.
Study Geelong runs a couple of events for all participants, but it is up to the international student and local person/family to arrange when and how they will catch-up during the program.
Participation is open to international students aged 18 and over in Geelong, attending Deakin University, Deakin College, DUELI, Marcus Oldham College and The Gordon TAFE, and to local residents in the Geelong region.
Register as a student
The March intake is now full. If you would like to register, we will place you on the waiting list.
Register as a host
Applications are open to the local community ongoing. The next matching with an international student will be March 2021. Applications for this intake need to be made by 12 March.
Other Activities for International Students
Study Geelong runs different activities for international students studying in Geelong throughout the year, including an annual Welcome Event in March. These activities are a great way to meet other students, including those from other education institutions.
Student FAQs
A local person/family will assist you in learning about Australian culture and life in Geelong. Additionally, partnering with a local person/family is a chance for you to share your culture and customs too. Through friendship and sharing, we hope that your time in Geelong will be more enjoyable and memorable!
FAQs Local Community Members
Local community members play an important role in extending friendship and Geelong hospitality to a student, making his/her time here a happy and memorable experience. In return, you get to develop a friendship, learn about another culture and develop intercultural skills.