The University of Newcastle, Australia

Milton and Maria Ward will never struggle to find accommodation when they visit Asia.

After 10 years hosting international students in their home, Mr and Mrs Ward have more than 30 'extra children' in Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, China and Japan.

The couple are active members of the University of Newcastle's Homestay program, which provides international students at the University with accommodation in Australian families' homes.

"Being involved with Homestay is incredibly rewarding," Mrs Ward said. "We are part of a younger generation spread across many countries and we really enjoy that our former guests feel part of our family.

"We keep in touch with many of our students and recently returned from a trip to Japan with other Homestay families to catch up with the students and meet their families and friends."

Homestay currently has 200 hosts and last year placed more than 600 students from 26 countries in homes around the Newcastle region. Most students are from Asia, with others from the Middle East, Europe, the USA, Africa and South America.

New hosts are always welcome.

To celebrate 10 years of the Homestay program, more than 50 families will attend a 'thank you' lunch today at the Glades Conference Centre in Warners Bay.

Media are welcome to attend. Mrs and Mrs Ward will be available for vision and interviews.

What: Homestay 'thank you' lunch

Where: The Glades Conference Centre, Warners Bay

When: 12.15pm