This year, Matthew Flinders Anglican College is facilitating exciting international cultural exchanges for 29 students in Year 10 at leading schools in cities across the world, including Tokyo, California, New York, Boston, North Carolina, Canada, Denmark, Isle of Wight (UK), England, Germany, Switzerland and Paris.
Read the exchange student reflections below.
The opportunities all stem from Flinders’ certification as a Round Square school, which provides Flinders students with access to more than 250+ like-minded schools across 50 countries in the Round Square network, all offering world-class exchange, service learning and leadership programs.
International exchanges enable students to be adventurous and independent while experiencing other cultures for up to 10 weeks at host schools.
Domestic exchanges are also offered to Year 8 students at Flinders, with approximately 20 students given the opportunity to spend two weeks in Term 4 at schools located in Perth, Launceston, Ballarat, Orange, Canberra and Alice Springs.
On exchange, Flinders’ students experience a different school life and either stay at their exchange partner's family home or board on campus. In return, the Flinders students host their exchange buddies in their own family home while introducing them to life on campus at Flinders and playing tour guides across the Sunshine Coast.
Principal Michelle Carroll said Flinders was dedicated to providing exchanges for students as an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone, be independent, make new friendships and learn about different cultures.
“By embracing these cultural exchanges at a young age, our students become aware of diverse perspectives and grow as more empowered, aware and compassionate global citizens,” Ms Carroll said.
Read some of our Flinders student reflections below, including from:
- Cody in Year 10 who visited Lakefield College School in Peterborough, Canada for six weeks in Term 1, 2025.
- Neve in Year 10 who experienced a five-week exchange in Term 1 as part of The Inter-Community School Zurich (ICS) in Switzerland, a fully accredited and renowned international school, and the only school in Zurich offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program.
- Kaythi who was in Year 8 at Flinders last year, and experienced a two-week domestic exchange to Ballarat Grammar, country Victoria.
- Toby and Lachlan, both in Year 10 who are on a 10-week boarding exchange at Felsted School in England. As keen cricketers, the boys are thrilled to be part of the school’s leading cricket program, giving them an opportunity to train, travel and play in high-level matches and competitions with their peers. Lachlan and Toby are fortunate to experience student life at Felsted, a quality co-educational independent school with a 460-year history, located on a charming 90-acre countryside campus in North Essex, only one hour from London and Cambridge.
Images: L_R: Lachlan and Toby on exchange at Felsted School, England; The boys at a Flinders Cricket match before departing for the UK.
Student Reflections
Neve, in Year 10, went on exchange to The Inter-Community School Zurich in Switzerland over five weeks in Term 1, 2025.
Neve said, “I was motivated to go on exchange by the opportunities for discovery, independence, and building connections.
“My major concern with the exchange was that I wouldn’t fit in with my host family or other students at school. I was glad that when I got there I was not only supported by my host family but so accepted by them and my classmates. This quickly eased my anxiety and I moved on from it.
“The exchange has inspired me to pursue a career after school that allows me to either travel or meet many new people as I realised through the experience that I deeply value human connection across different cultures.”
Her advice to others considering an exchange is to “just go for it”.
“The idea of doing something so new in such foreign conditions can be intimidating, but just go for it. My advice would be to approach the experience with as much confidence and willingness to participate as you can.
“I do not regret a single moment where I gave something a go; however, all the times I held back out of fear of embarrassment continue to bother me. You are going to a new school where you leave after a short period of time so don’t be self-conscious and give it your best shot.”
STUDENT REFLECTION - INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
Cody, in Year 10, visited Lakefield College School in Peterborough, Canada for six weeks in Term 1, 2025.
Cody said he was motivated to go on exchange because he wanted to experience life in a different country.
“I wanted to go somewhere cold so I could experience what a real winter was like, and LCS was the ideal place to go. It was truly magical seeing what the Canadians consider winter.
“My only concern during the exchange was about the 20 or so hours of travel I would have to do before leaving to come home. Thankfully, I was under the nurture and care of my exchange family who helped me through both the Vancouver and Toronto airports.
“The exchange challenged me to move to a new school without knowing anyone. I’ve spent my entire schooling life at Flinders, so this was a new experience that I am grateful for.
“While on exchange, I learnt how to ice skate, even though by the end I was still barely staying upright. It was an improvement from where I started.
“I really enjoyed the outdoor education classes in Canada, where I learnt to cross-country ski through the kilometres of beautiful trails that the school has on campus.
“And I loved trying to learn ice hockey in Canada, even though I was still not even close to their level at the end.
“Staying at my host family’s lakeside cottage was amazing.The snow banks next to the road were upwards of 10 feet tall in the area where we stayed on the weekend.
“My favourite travel experience was visiting Toronto. I found it extremely inspiring to be in a city that large, especially looking down at it from the CN Tower.
“The exchange experience has opened my eyes to international study, and if it wasn’t for this exchange, I wouldn’t have realised the amazing opportunities that are out there.
“I would either like to study engineering or medicine, and I am considering studying abroad.
“My advice to others considering an exchange is that it’s a great way to help you grow and develop as a person. Just go, and you’ll understand after why it’s such a positive opportunity.
“I’m still keeping in contact with my host family and checking how they’ve been doing.”
STUDENT REFLECTION - DOMESTIC EXCHANGE
Last year, in 2024, Kaythi was in Year 8 at Flinders, and experienced a two-week exchange to Ballarat Grammar, country Victoria.
Kaythi said she was inspired to go on domestic exchange to experience life in a small town that was still close to a major city.
“My favourite part was becoming friends with my exchange buddy’s friends and when my buddy and I went ice skating and shopping in Melbourne.
“I really enjoyed visiting an open-air museum in Ballarat, called Sovereign Hill, that recreates an 1850s town.
“Being in a new place such as Ballarat and meeting different people has made me more curious about the world and interested in exploring other cultures. It’s also shown me the value of adaptability and helped me feel more confident about stepping into new situations in the future.
“My advice to other students considering exchange is to take the leap. I’m so glad I decided to go. I made friends I’m still in contact with and my trip is an experience I’ll never forget.
“I’ve become more independent and learnt to adapt to new situations and step out of my comfort zone.”
