Hosting Lakewood City students
These young American students come to experience living with a Shire family, to understand more about living in Sutherland Shire and to make new friends between the two communities.
Overview
The Sutherland Shire-Lakewood City Sister City Student Program brings Lakewood City students to experience life in Australia and participate in various community activities. It offers participants the opportunity to not just visit like a tourist but to be part of the life and culture of the Sutherland Shire.
Each year 24 students arrive in Sutherland Shire from Sutherland Shire's Sister City of Lakewood, Colorado, USA.
This Sister City Student Program is an education-based program, so American students will be attending school and staying with their host families for 6 months.
What to do with visiting students
Host families are advised to basically continue with regular family activities and to include the Lakewood City students as part of the family.
Activities such as sports, beach activities, bush walking have all proved popular.
Other popular activities include:
- visiting Darling Harbour
- touring the Opera House
- taking a ferry ride
Many families have get-togethers with their friends and neighbours to run a combined BBQ, dinner or activities day.
Who can apply?
It is expected that students who are going to USA will also be host students. This is because host families will be covering the costs of visiting students for 6 months in a reciprocal arrangement.
Families of students who are in Year 10 in Sutherland Shire schools are eligible to apply.
The application process
Ready to apply? Here's what happens.
Downloading the form and brochure
Download the application form here if you're ready now. If for some reason you can't access the forms online we can send you an application package. The application also should be accompanied by a recent family photo.
Security and background checks
It is also necessary for one Reference to be supplied. The Referee form is part of the Host Family Application form.
The Sister City Association also requires every adult member of the host family residing at the host home to complete a Working With Children Check. More information about the WWCC can be found here. The WWCC for volunteers is free.
A visit to your home by organising Committee members will need to be scheduled at a time convenient to you and your family.
Need more information?
If you need more information, contact us through the form below. The Host Family Co-ordinator will then be in contact with you by telephone and/or email to supply more information, have a chat about the program.
Other aspects of the program
Have questions? Contact us!
If you have questions about any of our exchanges, click on the program below of your choice.
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Our sponsors and partners
We are generously supported by many organisations that have helped made our exchange programs possible
Sutherland Shire Council: Our major sponsor and local council
National Parks & Wildlife Service NSW: Description of what they do
Sutherland Shire Bushcare
Surf Life Saving Club Elouera: Giving visitors a taste of the beach
Chuo City Council, Japan: Our sister city in Japan, located in Tokyo
Lakewood City Council: Our sister city in America
Taiko Centre Kyoto: The taiko centre that provides visiting Australian students an experience in taiko
Shunkoin Temple: A Zen temple experience
Taiken Kiyomizu: A taste of pottery for visiting Australian youth