The 16- to 18-year-olds from the Brazilian state of Pernambucco are among 50 students in Tasmania who arrived last week and will attend college until the end of the second term.

Launceston College will also host eight students.

Newstead College assistant principal Peter Bird said the students were excited to be at the college.

Education Department international education unit student co-ordinator Tiffany Von Stieglitz said each student would stay with a family who would treat them as one of their own.

``They'll attend college and their `families' will take them on day trips to visit other parts of the state,'' Ms Von Stieglitz said.

Dayanne Santo, 16, who is staying with Ms Von Stieglitz, said she hoped to improve her English and make more friends while in Australia.

Ms Von Stieglitz said a total of 1000 Brazilian students had been selected by their government, based on oral, written and psychological testing as part of the Ganhe o Mundo (Win the World) program.

Another 50 students have gone to South Australia and the remaining 950 have been sent to other English speaking nations. 

All costs for the trip have been covered by the Pernambucco government.