Host Family: How Can You Host an Exchange Student?

Maybe you’ve heard of student exchange programs, or somebody you know has hosted an international student. Perhaps your child has a classmate from another country, or you’re considering hosting an exchange student yourself. Whatever has sparked your interest in host families, we’re glad you’re here to learn more! 

As you’ll soon discover throughout this guide, hosting foreign exchange students is a rewarding experience that allows families to open their homes and hearts to someone from a different culture. By becoming a host family, you provide more than just a place to stay—you offer an opportunity for cultural exchange, personal growth, and lasting friendships. And there are just as many benefits for hosts as there are for exchange students!

In this article, we’ll explain the basics of becoming a host family, covering: 

1. The responsibilities and requirements of host families 
2. The benefits of becoming an AYUSA host family 
3. What a day in the life of a host family looks like 
4. How AYUSA supports host families 
5. How to become an AYUSA host family 

AYUSA operates one of the leading student exchange programs in the United States, promoting cultural exchange between international exchange students and American high schools, host families, and communities. Over the last 40 years, we’ve helped place thousands of the world’s brightest, boldest students with caring, loving host families, and we’ve seen first-hand just how life-changing the results can be, for students and hosts alike. 

Keep reading to learn all about becoming an AYUSA host family, or if you’re ready to discover the magic for yourself, start your hosting application here! 

What Is a Host Family? 

First of all, what is hosting, exactly? A host family is a household that welcomes an international exchange student into their home, providing them with a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment during their stay abroad. Acting as a temporary family, the host family plays a crucial role in helping the student adapt to life in a foreign country, from daily routines to understanding the local culture and customs. 

Each host family is different—whether they are parents with children, single parents, or couples without kids, what matters most is their willingness to share their lives and create meaningful connections. We’ll dive more into the specific AYUSA host family requirements soon, but the main thing to remember is that host families come in all shapes and sizes! 

Responsibilities of a Host Family

When you choose to host a student, you’re opening your home and heart to an international exchange student. Your main responsibility is to help them thrive in their new environment, by providing: 

• Accommodation: The most basic responsibility of a host family is to offer the student a comfortable, clean, safe, and secure living space. This doesn’t need to be a private bedroom, but they do need to have their own bed in a room. 
• Meals and basic support: Host families must provide regular meals for the student, which gives the student a chance to experience local cuisine while sharing in family mealtime traditions. 
• Emotional and cultural guidance: Adjusting to a new culture can be overwhelming, and host families are there to offer emotional support. This may include helping the student navigate school, dealing with homesickness, or explaining cultural differences.

Basically, the safety and well-being of the student are your top priorities as a host family. It’s essential to make sure the student feels secure and cared for in their new surroundings.

Benefits of Being a Host Family 

Sure, being a host family for an international student comes with some responsibilities, but there are also a lot of benefits to hosting. The experience can be incredibly enriching for the entire family, offering a chance to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. Here’s why so many AYUSA host families come back time and time again: 

• Cultural exchange and learning: Exchange students bring unique traditions, language, and perspectives, offering host families a window into another part of the world. You’ll get an in-depth look at a new culture without even leaving your home!
• Building long-lasting relationships: Many host families develop deep, long-lasting connections with the students they host. These relationships often extend beyond the duration of the exchange program, with families and students keeping in touch, and sometimes even visiting each other in their home countries.
• Personal and family growth: Hosting an international student can lead to personal growth for everyone in the household. It encourages open-mindedness, patience, and empathy as family members learn to navigate cultural differences and new perspectives. 
• Positive impact on children in the household: For families with kids, hosting an international student introduces children to different cultures and languages at a young age, bringing a sense of global citizenship. It also provides a unique chance for kids to learn from someone their own age who may have a completely different background.

Being a host family is a generous act that does require time and effort, but it’s also a fulfilling one. Hosting leaves a lasting impact on both the student and the host family, and helps everyone involved develop a deeper, more compassionate understanding of the world.

Do you want to discover the benefits of hosting an AYUSA exchange student first-hand? Start your hosting application here! 

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What Does It Mean to Host an International Exchange Student?

Each year, more than one million students come to the United States to study. As a host family for a high school exchange student, you can help the student navigate the challenges of cultural differences, language barriers, and homesickness, all while offering them a sense of belonging. 

Hosting also brings new perspectives into your household and often sparks lifelong friendships, but what is it actually like to host an international student? What does day-to-day life look like for host families? Let’s take a look.

A Day in the Life of a Host Family

There’s no “right way” to host an exchange student, but many host families do find themselves falling into a daily routine with their student. Mornings typically begin with breakfast before school, and give families and students a chance to share their plans and schedule for the day. 

When it comes to getting your exchange student to school, many appreciate a ride when it’s convenient for you. You’re not required to taxi your host student around, but we do ask our host families to help provide some form of transportation for their exchange students. Many students walk to school if it’s nearby, take a bus, or borrow a bike from a friend or family member to get around while they’re studying abroad. 

After school, foreign exchange students might hang out with their new friends, attend school events like football games, participate in any clubs or activities they’ve joined, or come home to relax and catch up on homework. Dinner is often a good time for host families and their exchange students to spend quality time together, and it’s often nice to spend some evenings together when your schedules allow, whether it’s for family games, a movie night, or just relaxing. 

On weekends, your student might have commitments with school sports or activities, but if you all have some free time, it can be a great chance to explore the local area together. You might like to take your exchange student to any nearby sights or attractions, find a fun outdoor activity, or do something quintessentially American like grilling in the backyard or watching one of your city’s sports teams. 

Hosting Durations and Expectations

The length of time you host an international exchange student can vary depending on the specific program and arrangement. At AYUSA, we offer both semester and year-long exchange programs, which means a hosting commitment of either five or 10 months, respectively. You can choose the duration that works best for you, your family, and your life situation. 

How Hosting Enriches Family Life

One of the biggest benefits of hosting is the cultural exchange that takes place. Families have the chance to learn about a different country, language, and way of life. This newfound cultural awareness brings a greater understanding and appreciation of global diversity. It also encourages curiosity, especially among children, as they learn about the student's traditions, food, and customs. 

Many host families also find their lives enriched with new traditions. For example, families might celebrate holidays from the student’s home country or participate in cultural activities that the student introduces. This blending of traditions can create fun new memories and deepen the cultural exchange experience.

Hear From AYUSA Host Families 

Many AYUSA host families love their first hosting experience so much, they choose to host another student! Below, you can take a look at testimonials from AYUSA host families who share what they love about the program and their hosting experience. 

“Julia is a great example of a mature Ayusa exchange student who is adaptable, has bonded with her host family, and is making the most of her year in the USA.  We are so thankful for the Ayusa experience and for the special moments we continue to share with her.”

• Struble Family, Nevada 

“Our involvement with Ayusa has changed our lives. So has Marie, so has her family. What an amazing experience it has been, one that will continue for a lifetime, forever tying our hearts and our worlds together. Marie is our daughter – rounding our family to a six pack with two boys and two girls (plus Mom and Dad, of course). We can’t wait to see what other journeys the rest of our time together will send our way.”

• O’Brien Family, Missouri

“This is our third year hosting a double placement with Ayusa. We have hosted six students with them from Egypt, Turkey, Japan, France, Spain and Italy. We already have our two students picked for next year from Germany and the Netherlands.

We have been very happy with AYUSA, the support they give and the quality and selection of students. Our family has enjoyed hosting! All of our students become like family. So much so that our daughter went to Egypt last summer and stayed with our exchange student's family for a month.

We have had a wonderful experience with Ayusa!”

• Stouffer Family 

You can also learn more here about hosting an exchange student from the perspective of AYUSA host families. And, if hosting sounds right for you, start your application here! 

How Does AYUSA Support Host Families?

For over 40 years, AYUSA has helped thousands of families experience the joys of hosting an exchange student while supporting them every step of the way. From assisting with the matching process to providing ongoing resources and guidance, we do everything we can to give both students and host families a positive and rewarding experience.

AYUSA’s High School Exchange Programs

AYUSA exchange students are highly motivated academic achievers. They’re very excited to learn all about American culture and integrate into their new family, school, and community as they study abroad in the USA. We carefully match each student with a host family based on shared interests, values, and lifestyle preferences. As a host family, you’ll receive detailed profiles of potential students, allowing you to choose a student that fits well with your household. 

Before the student arrives, we provide host families with resources and training to prepare them for the experience. This includes cultural awareness training, tips for managing expectations, and practical advice for integrating the student into family life. Usually, we can also connect prospective host families with other AYUSA hosts in their area. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re feeling ready and well-prepared for hosting an exchange student!

Throughout the exchange, AYUSA offers continuous support to host families. From check-ins to online resources, we’re always available to answer questions, resolve issues, or provide guidance. Families are never alone in the hosting process—we make sure that every family has the tools they need to create a positive environment for their exchange student.

If you’re ready to take the next step, start your hosting application here!

AYUSA’s Community Representatives

The real heroes at AYUSA are our Community Representatives (CRs). When you express interest in becoming a host family, we’ll connect you with a local CR who can answer all your questions and tell you more about the program. You’ll be able to meet in person, and once you have all the information you need to feel comfortable, they can help you move forward with the process. 

Your CR can help you choose an exchange student, set you up for success, and tell you everything you need to know about hosting. Once your student arrives, your CR doesn’t go anywhere! They’ll conduct regular check-ins with you, your student, and the school, and periodically compile progress reports for your student’s natural family. 

If you run into any issues or challenges along the way, you can always reach out to your AYUSA community representative for advice and support. Your CR will make sure you never feel alone while you’re hosting a high school exchange student, helping you to relax and enjoy the time you have with your student. 

Are you interested in joining AYUSA as a Community Representative? Start your application here!

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How to Become an AYUSA Host Family

Becoming a host family with AYUSA is an incredible chance to welcome a student from another country into your home and be part of a cultural exchange that creates lasting memories. Let’s take a look at how to become a host family for international students with AYUSA in just a few easy steps: 

1. Confirming your AYUSA eligibility 
2. Completing your AYUSA hosting application 
3. Meeting your Community Representative
4. Choosing your AYUSA exchange student 

If you’re ready to dive in, you can start your AYUSA hosting application here!

Confirming Your AYUSA Eligibility 

Who can host an AYUSA exchange student? We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, including single parents, married couples, empty nesters, and families with and without kids. Our requirements for hosting an AYUSA exchange student are: 

• All hosts must be 25 or older 
• All members of the family must pass a background check
• Hosts must be able to provide the student with three meals a day
• Hosts need to have a comfy, safe place for their student to live 

As long as you meet these criteria and you’re excited to learn, teach, and grow through hosting, we’re sure you’ll make an incredible host family for a lucky exchange student! 

Completing Your AYUSA Hosting Application 

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility and you feel you’ve got what it takes to host a student, it’s time to start your hosting application. We’re here to help you with any questions you have along the way—don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help! Once you create an account and complete your application, you’ll be able to view our exchange students who are currently available. 

Meeting Your Community Representatives 

After we receive your application, we’ll organize a meeting with a local AYUSA Community Representative who can answer any questions you still have about hosting international students. Your CR can put you in touch with other host families in your area, and can make sure that you have everything you need to make your hosting experience a success. 

Choosing Your AYUSA Exchange Student 

When your application is approved, you can work with your Community Representative to choose your exchange student. We’ll work to match you with a student that suits your family’s values, lifestyle, and interests. Once we’ve found the right student, you can start getting ready for the arrival of your newest family member! 

Become an AYUSA Host Family Today!

Becoming an AYUSA host family is the best way to open your home to new cultures, broaden your family’s worldview, and make a lasting impact on a young person’s life. When you host, you’re doing so much more than providing your student with a place to stay. You help an international student experience the American way of life, while also learning about their background, language and traditions. 

AYUSA gives you everything you need to make your student cultural exchange experience successful. Our local Community Representatives provide support along the way, preparing you for hosting a student and helping you choose an exchange student that’s the right fit for your family. With AYUSA, you’ll have an unforgettable hosting experience and join a global community that’s committed to growing a culturally inclusive future. 

Take the first step today—start your AYUSA hosting application and experience the world from your own home!

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