Hundreds of Chinese pupils have driven a 20 per cent boost in fee-paying foreign students enrolled at Canberra schools in the past year.
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However, the Education Directorate believed those numbers could be higher if there was enough student accommodation in the ACT to meet demand.
At present, 527 international fee-paying students are enrolled in ACT public schools. Parents fork out $14,800 for their children to complete years 11 and 12.
About 30 new enrolments have lifted the number of students in the ACT government's homestay program to 202.
Those students can board with a family for about $280 per week.
An Education Directorate spokesman said more host families were needed to meet the rising demand.
The 16-year-old homestay student said the incentive for the move was a less stressful school environment.
"I got so much schoolwork [in China]; it was too much pressure.
"In Canberra, I can study the things I want, there's less homework and it's more interesting. It's like a new life."
Paris said a supportive school community, and her love of adventure, had fostered a smooth transition into Canberra school life.
Principal George Palavestra said there were generally between 50 and 60 international students studying at the Woden campus.
"Our college is such a diverse and inclusive place and I think that's one of the reasons," he said.
Mr Palavestra said the level of support for international students at the school had drawn the interest of adolescents and their families overseas.
Canberra's overseas students are from:
China 299
South Korea 38
Vietnam 37
Thailand 4
Hong Kong 7
India 8
Indonesia 8
Japan 6
Malaysia 5
Others 115
Annual fee for year 11 and 12: $14,800
