How to Host a High School Foreign Exchange Student
Hosting a foreign exchange student enables you and your family learn about a different culture while showing off your own. Many organizations are available to help facilitate the exchange. This experience can help form a lifetime relationship between the student and your family. High school exchange students are typically between the ages of 15 and 17 and come to the United States from countries all over the world. The hosting period can last from a few weeks to a year depending on the program and how long you wish to host a student.
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Instructions
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Talk to people you know who have hosted exchange students. Ask about experiences with the student, both good and bad.
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Consider the responsibilities that comes along with hosting a student. Foreign exchange students have money for expenses while in the United States, but you are responsible for providing shelter, food and supervision. The student will also need a quiet place to study and will join the normal routines of your family.
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Contact an organization that specializes in matching high school exchange students to host families. The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel lists organizations that are sponsored by the United States government such as Yes, Flex and CBYX (See resource). Choose a program based upon the country you are interested in hosting a student from and the length of the program.
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Fill out an application and complete the necessary background check. Most organizations require a background check for the family hosting a student as well as personal references and in-home interviews with the family. You can host a student no matter where you live in the United States.
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