Forth Valley families will be paid to host exchange students
Families across the Forth Valley will be offered extra income to host exchange students who are due to arrive this autumn.
Forth Valley College (FVC) and the World Education Programme (WEP) are urgently appealing to households with extra rooms ahead of the arrival of 75 Brazilian exchange students.
Of those students, 40 are expected to study at FVC’s Falkirk and Stirling campuses, so eligible families must live within one hour travelling distance of the two campuses.
WEP is providing host families with a stipend of £500 per month per student, and WEP and FVC will provide ongoing guidance and support throughout the placement. The students also receive an allowance to help cover costs.
The scholarship students are coming from Pernambuco, Brazil, as part of a new international exchange program.
The programme runs from Monday, October 19, 2026 to Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Since the beginning of the academic term this August, four Brazilian students have already been studying at the College in creative industries.
Joyce Alamino Cardoso de Alcantara, 16, studying at the Falkirk campus, said: “The people here really make you feel at home and I love the family I am staying with so much. The landscapes in Scotland are amazing and I have loved being here. I would totally recommend it to anyone.”
Renan Carvalho Brito, 16, also based at the Falkirk campus, said: “It has been great and the ambience here in Scotland is great too. The classes I have been taking are amazing.
“I thought it would be difficult to adapt at first, but the first month has been amazing. Scotland is such a great place to explore and this has been a life changing experience to be here and studying.
“The family I have been staying with are lovely people and I would absolutely recommend this for anyone.”
Host families will also have a chance to embrace and learn about Brazilian culture during the exchange while sharing their own traditions with students.
This programme adds to a longer-term partnership between WEP and FVC, and other groups of international students are expected in the future.
Jamie Allan, Global Partnerships Manager at Forth Valley College, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for people across the Forth Valley area to bring another culture into their home, make new connections and play an important part in a young person’s international education.
“We know from previous exchanges that hosting can be an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved. Hosts often form lasting relationships with their students, while gaining a new perspective on another country and culture.
“With around 40 students expected to study at our Falkirk and Stirling campuses, the support of local families will be vital to making the programme possible. I would encourage anyone who may be interested, even if they have never hosted before, to contact WEP, find out more and consider becoming part of this exciting initiative.”
Those that are interested in becoming a host family should contact WEP via their website, their email at [email protected], or their telephone on 02380 970 924.