THE MEEKER NEW ZEALAND STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS: 

Be a HOST family for an exchange student or one of the adults from New Zealand in the Fall. 
and/or 
Be an AMBASSADOR traveling to New Zealand!
Selection happens in the Spring, with preparation and fundraising from then until the trip in February! 

OUR HOSTING PROGRAM

Connecting & Welcoming New Zealand friends!

BUILD COMMUNITY
Connect with fellow families in a community focused on providing a memorable experience for our friends from New Zealand and continue this legacy in NE Tacoma.
SHARE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Designed to give families with middle school students the rare opportunity to meet face to face with peers from the other side of the world and discover similarities and differences in their culture and daily lives. 
IMPACTING A STUDENT
No experience necessary except warm hospitality & sharing of your time. 
Host families needed for James Hargest Citizens of the World students (ages 11-12) and adults. 

OUR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

The Epic Adventure
Each February, we send a select group of Meeker Middle School 6th & 7th graders to travel more than 23,000 miles over the course of 24 days in New Zealand! Their adventure begins in Wellington, and then moves to the Southland region primarily in and near Invercargill. Through numerous presentations, field trips and everyday life in private host homes, the American Ambassadors learn first hand about Kiwi life. Two Tacoma Public School Teachers lead the group with assistance from 1-2 carefully selected Parent Chaperones. 

MADE POSSIBLE BY...

Foundation of Success 

Executive Board Leadership
100% Volunteer Leadership
Our Board members tend to have direct ties to the program as former participants. Most board roles are a 1 year commitment starting each April.
Recognized Not-for-Profit
Directly support students, including a scholarship program for inclusion of all students to pursue this opportunity.
Less than 1% of our overall operations go to  administrative costs. 
Structured & Organized Program
Families invest in this program. As they are directly involved in planning, preparation and fundraising, they find 30+ years of organizational structure  to achieve success for their team.
Meeker New Zealand Student Exchange Program operates as the federally recognized nonprofit: 
Meeker Citizens of the World Student Exchange Booster Club, or often referred to as MCOW.