This year, more than 30 of our Year 10 students are jetting off on exchanges to schools across the globe, exploring Germany, Canada, the USA, Denmark, France, the UK and 鈥� a first for the College 鈥� Peru!
As part of the reciprocal exchanges, our families also welcome international host buddies into their Sunshine Coast homes.
The program encourages participants to build skills in the Round Square IDEALS: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service.
Highlights: Semester One 2026
Here are some Semester One highlights, shared in our newly published Flinders Magazine (Volume 3) .听
Sienna Strong (Canada): 鈥淔rom the moment I arrived in Vancouver, I felt welcomed and included by a warm and supportive host family who made me feel at home straight away. I tried different activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and even rifle shooting. Each gave me the chance to try something completely new. Overall, I felt the exchange was the experience of a lifetime... It built up my confidence and let me get to know some incredible people. The experience helped me to become more independent, self-confident and adaptive by forcing me to step out of my comfort zone.鈥�
Kate Ortlipp (Peru): 鈥淭his trip opened my eyes. We spent a few days in Cusco and Machu Picchu where I was fully immersed in the culture. I learned all about its history, tried traditional dishes and joined in the dances.鈥�
Ed Stephenson (Peru): 鈥淢y sense of adventure has increased dramatically. Trying Peruvian food was very cool and we had a lot of fun ziplining through mountains and sandboarding down dunes. Staying with an exchange family for a month where I didn't speak the language helped build my resilience.鈥�
Lexi Nissen (Germany): 鈥淚 grew in internationalism being at an international boarding school. I was immersed in service learning and chose first aid. Adventure was also a big part as I went out of my comfort zone.鈥�
Evie McKenzie (USA): 鈥淚 loved taking Spanish and Legal Issues. It was interesting to learn about the American legal system and pick up some words in Spanish, which I would like to continue to learn.鈥�
Maya Hunne (France): 鈥淚 really felt more independent travelling by myself. I enjoyed going to famous monuments like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Chateau de Versailles and the Eiffel Tower. It was surreal.鈥�
Claire Hirons (Denmark): 鈥淚 loved learning the Danish language. All the teachers were very kind and helpful.鈥�
Josh Allen and Henry Crook (England): A Term 2 cricket exchange at Felsted School in Essex offered the students a wonderful taste of UK boarding life and competitive school cricket. Highlights included visiting the hallowed turf of Lord鈥檚 Cricket Ground and exploring the historic university campuses of Cambridge.
