How to Become a Host Family to a Foreign Exchange Student

Foreign Exchange Students

Hosting an exchange student is a great way for both students from foreign countries and United States host families to share of their culture and beliefs. If you're thinking of hosting an exchange student, here are some steps to ensure that your family is accepted for the program and to make the hosting experience successful for both the exchange student and the host family.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Website
• Foreign Exchange program in your area
• Existing Foreign Exchange Host Family to talk to
• Patience and open heart

1. Research the various foreign exchange programs available on-line.

2. Contact the local coordinator or manager of the exchange program to learn more about the program.

3. Talk to other host families in your community to learn more about their experiences hosting an exchange student.

4. Complete the application to become a Host Family for an exchange student. Most programs have on-line applications.

5. Complete the background search requirements, either through an on-line form or paper search by filling out the paperwork provided by the exchange agency.

6. Talk to your family, including your children, about hosting an exchange student. Make sure everyone is enthusiastic, or at least not opposed to the idea.

7. Decide which countries of origin are of interest to you. You might like to host an exchange student from a country your ancestors were from, for example, or a country that your family would like to learn more about or visit someday.

8. Decide if your home can accommodate an exchange student. Do you have a spare bedroom, or will the student be expected to share a room?

9. Make sure you are emotionally prepared for the addition of a new 'family' member. The exchange student will become part of your family for a few weeks or sometimes months. Are you emotionally prepared to take on the responsibility of having an exchange student in your home for an extended stay? If not, this might not be the time to host and exchange student.

10. Research the culture of your prospective exchange student's home country.

11. Relax and await the arrival of your exchange student.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not accepted as a host family the first time you apply, be patient, it may take some time if you live in an area where lots of students have applied for foreign exchange programs.

• Be honest on your application.

• Be prepared to follow ALL the rules outlined by the foreign exchange organization. Failure to do so will not only jeopardize your status as a host family, it may result in the exchange student being sent home.

Resources

• A Foreign Exchange Student Organization