International Student News
Education Queensland International
At the end of Term 2, we farewell another group of our Education Queensland International students- Gaia and Lilly, who have studied with us for 1 year, and Maria, Mara and Emma who have studied with us for 1 Semester. We have enjoyed watching our students grow into “Aussies” and embrace all the highlights, challenges, and opportunities presented to them.
We especially want to thank their wonderful homestay families who have provided them with much support and guidance, shared their home, and taken care of them. These families are exceptional in the support they provide, and our program could not run without them. Thank you.
We also farewell Deny, our Rotary Student who has studied at RSC for 1 year. Deny has stayed with multiple Rotary families throughout her journey. If you are interested in your own student going on a rotary exchange program overseas, please contact the local Cairns Rotary Club.
In Term 3 we will welcome a new round of 14 students arriving for a 6-month EQI Study Abroad program. Students arriving are from Germany, Belgium and Brazil. Students will be studying in Year 10 & Year 11. Please do take the time to get to know these students and learn a little bit about their culture.
Thank you to the new families (and old) who have offered their homes to provide accommodation for these students in return for remuneration and experiencing a new culture at home. We again, truly value your kindness and generosity, and look forward to staying in contact throughout Semester 2.
In week 2, we will welcome our regular yearly EQI Study Tour with 22 students from Otakanomori High School ( 23 July – 04 August). Students will participate in a 12-night program and will integrate into classes with our local students as buddies. A huge thank you to our staff who frequently accommodate these study tour students into their lessons. These International groups bring valuable learning opportunities, friendships and financial support to our local students. Thank you to the many local families who have also kindly offered homestay availability. We hope you enjoy a little bit of Japanese culture in your home.
For any families interested in providing homestay in 2026, please contact us on : homestay@redlynchsc.eq.edu.au
Gaia Falotti
Hi, my name is Gaia Falotti, I'm 18 and I've just finished a year's exchange in Australia, 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days. In the 8760 hours I've spent here, I've changed, a lot. I believe that we are the sum of the people around us, and I can only be grateful for the great friends I've made. I've met people whose hearts are in their hands, people who make me laugh every day, people who encourage me, inspire me and love me for who I am.
When I was little, I thought I was Australian, I told this to all my classmate. Now I feel it was almost destiny. Part of me will always be Aussie. I was immersed in the culture; I think my host family had a lot to do with it! I changed 3 times, I loved my first family and shared my life with another exchange, it created inseparable bonds, and I think we'll be sisters forever. My last family is just being at home, I met the most fantastic foster mother, in fact she's my second family. I'm so grateful for their welcome, I've always felt integrated, appreciated and loved as a full member. I love them with all my heart! They've led me, participated and supported me in all my wildest adventures.
During this year I got out of my comfort zone, discovered new activities like climbing, hiking, diving and traveling. I was lucky enough to visit Sydney and Melbourne, cities that charmed me with their atmosphere and beauty. I was able to go to Brisbane with my host family to see a rugby match. I visited the outback, Uluru and Kings Canyon, it was breathtaking! I have so many good memories and laughter in my mind. I slept in the middle of the coral reef with 22 exchanges, we all have our diving license now! I learned to climb, not to be afraid of falling or of effort. I hiked to the top of rock glaciers with friends, I visited the Daintree with them, it was great. The friends I've met have more values than anything else in the world, I can't express enough how much I love them.
I fell in love. That was wonderful.
I also joined Race Drama and performed in front of an audience. I sewed my dream dress, I got 24/25 in English, it's amazing how much I've improved.
This year has been so lively and has taught me so much. It will surely go down as the best 8760 hours of my life. Thank you to those who have inspired me, carried me, accompanied me. Thank you to the girls I sat with during lunch break, thank you to my drama class, my teachers, the most fantastic host family. Thank you to all those who have made this adventure unique, funny, unpredictable and incredibly beautiful.
It wasn't Australia that stole my heart. It was you.
Thank you all.
