MACKAY is seen only through the window of an aeroplane by most international exchange students.

But Whitsunday Anglican School director of admissions Jamie Novosel thinks international flights set to take off from Proserpine in coming years will change that.

"Having an international airport will make it much cheaper for exchange students to come here," Mr Novosel said.

"Improving that ease of access will mean they don't only go to capital cities.

"The education market will really benefit."

Mr Novosel said Mackay's proximity to the reef and outback would give it an edge over capital cities once direct flights came into play.

"One of the top 10 skills for students moving forward will be for them to be able to jump between cultures," he said.

"This will provide that multicultural experience.

The school is one of three in the Mackay region that accepts exchange students, and Alicia Ho Chau from Hong Kong had been with it since January.

"I learn more local English here. I didn't want to make friends with people who only spoke Chinese," she said.

"I hope I will come back next year too and maybe come back for uni."