Things You'll Need:
- a loving home
- a loving heart
- an open mind
- flexibility
- a sense of humor
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Step 1
Call your local public high school and find out which foreign exchange programs they deal with. This will streamline the process, as you won't have to get the agency approved if they have already placed students at that school.
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Step 2
Speak to the agencies and ask to see student profiles. Consider your current family dynamics and interests when choosing an exchange student. If you have young children, for example, try to choose a student who has younger siblings or who babysits. If you love sports, try to choose a sporty student.
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Step 3
When you have decided on which agency to use, schedule your home study. It must be at a time when all family members will be home. You will need to show the worker the bedroom that your student will be using. Be prepared to consent to a background check and possibly to be fingerprinted. This is for the student's protection.
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Step 4
As the time draws closer to your student's arrival, call or email your student. Find out what foods he or she likes, what his or her favorite colors are, etc. At this time, decorate your student's room and decide what you will serve for dinner the first night. Remember that your exchange student will be very tired and jet-lagged upon arrival, so don't make big plans.
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Step 5
Make final arrangements for picking up your student. Some agencies will want you to pick him or her up from the airport, and others will have the local contact person do it. Make a welcome sign to welcome your student.
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Step 6
Have a wonderful year and enjoy every minute of your experience! When you host an exchange student, the year flies by, and you will never have enough time to teach and learn all that you'd wanted to.
