Study Exchange Program [Resources for Host Families & Students]

Imagine the excitement of walking off an airplane, collecting your luggage from the belt, and eagerly waiting to meet your new host family—your home away from home for a semester or year! That’s the feeling thousands of high school exchange students experience every year as they enter the United States, and it could be yours, too! 

Whether you’re an international student looking to join a U.S. study exchange program, or a U.S. family interested in hosting a foreign student, you’re embarking on a life-changing opportunity! This guide will provide key resources, practical advice, and insights into study exchange programs. We’ll cover: 

1. Why high school study exchange programs are so valuable
2. What to expect from hosting an exchange student
3. How to become a host family
4. How international students can join study exchange programs

At AYUSA, we’re proud to be one of the best student exchange programs for host families and international students. We provide world-class support and have spent over 40 years connecting the brightest international students with caring, enthusiastic host families. 

If you’re interested in hosting an exchange student, start a hosting application here. If you’re a student keen to study in the United States, start a student application here. In the meantime, read on to learn more about study exchange programs!

What Can You Get Out of Study Exchange Programs?

For both host families and students, high school study exchange programs offer a unique opportunity for cultural exchange, personal growth, and international understanding. Here’s a look at what makes study exchange such a memorable, fun experience. 

Benefits for Host Families

Hosting a foreign exchange student isn’t just about giving back and making a student’s dreams come true—host families get plenty out of the journey as well! It offers:

• Cultural exchange at home: Hosting a student from another country lets you learn firsthand about different customs, traditions, and perspectives, without even leaving your living room!
• Lifelong friendships: Many host families develop deep connections with their exchange students, forming bonds that last long after the program ends. Maybe a trip overseas is in your future?
• Personal growth: If you have kids of your own at home, they’ll love having a host brother or sister! Host kids gain an appreciation for diversity, develop empathy, learn about a new culture, and become more open-minded.
• A fresh perspective: Seeing your daily routines and traditions through the eyes of a foreign exchange student offers a new appreciation for your own way of life. It also lets you reflect on American customs that you might not have thought about before.
• Opportunities to give back: This is your chance to shape a young student’s experience abroad. Providing a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment sets these students up for success and helps them succeed academically and socially.

If you’re wondering whether hosting a student can change your life, the answer is yes! Just see what the O’Brien family from Missouri has to say about their AYUSA hosting experience:

“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.”

What Are the Benefits for Exchange Students?

For international students, the chance to study abroad in the USA is an incredible opportunity to grow both personally and academically. A U.S. study exchange program offers:

• Cultural immersion: Living with a host family is much different than being in a hotel or apartment—it’s the authentic experience! You’ll learn so much more about local customs, traditions, and social norms compared to visiting as a tourist.
• Language development: One of the biggest advantages of studying abroad is language immersion. With daily conversations, schoolwork, and social interactions, you’ll be amazed how quickly your English skills improve!
• Academic growth: There’s nothing like attending a high school in a different country to give you a fresh perspective! You’ll experience new teaching styles, learn different subjects, and come home with a whole new set of skills.
• Independence and adaptability: Living in a foreign country takes you out of your comfort zone. It’s not always easy, but you’ll become more self-reliant and develop problem-solving skills that set you up for success later in life. 
• Friends across borders: Through your host family, schools, and new friends, you’ll build an international network of connections. These relationships can open doors for future travel adventures, jobs, and more.

If you still need convincing, here’s how Eman from Pakistan summed up their AYUSA experience and how it teaches us about our similarities: 

“I can very confidently say that going on an exchange was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made...It forces you to wipe the grime off your glasses and look at things from a clearer, better, and most importantly, a different, perspective. You learn that the world is not the desolate and awful place it is so often made out to be, because people all over the world have hopes, dreams, struggles and fears just like you. Everyone is inherently different, and yet, so very similar."

What to Expect When Hosting an Exchange Student

So, you’d like to become a host family for an international student but you’re not sure what to expect. You’re in the right place! While every host family does things a bit differently, here’s a taste of the hosting experience to help you paint a clearer picture. 

Daily Life and Responsibilities

Most hosts are surprised by how quickly exchange students become part of their family! Your days will start sharing breakfasts and talking about your plans for the day, then they’ll go off to school, and you’ll reconnect in the evening for dinner and time to relax together. On the weekends, you might spend time together exploring your city, going to sporting events, or introducing your student to American life and culture in other ways. 

As well as all the fun, hosting comes with some responsibilities. You’ll need to: 

1. Provide a safe and welcoming home
2. Give your student a comfortable space to sleep and study
3. Feed your student three meals a day
4. Include them in family activities like weekend outings and holiday celebrations
5. Organize transport for your student to school and activities
6. Support them with their schoolwork and offer guidance throughout their exchange period

Host families are not expected to act as guardians or provide financial support beyond basic living needs, but you will play a key role in making your student’s experience safe and memorable.

School and Academic Expectations

Education is a central part of international student exchange. Foreign students attend a local high school and are expected to take their studies seriously. As a host family, you can support their academic journey by:

• Encouraging good study habits and providing a place to do their homework
• Helping them stay on track with assignments and adjust to the U.S. school system
• Communicating with teachers and school staff if needed
• Supporting their involvement in extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, etc.

You might also need to help your student with the language barrier. All AYUSA exchange students have a strong grasp of English, but they may not understand slang or colloquialisms—you’ll all have fun as you try to explain the strange phrases they haven’t heard before!

Adjusting to Cultural Differences

While your exchange student will be learning about American culture, your family will also gain insight into their home country’s traditions and perspectives—it’s an exchange, after all! However, adjusting to cultural differences can take time. Here are a few things to expect:

• Culture shock: Your student may experience homesickness or struggle with different customs. This is totally normal, but isn’t an issue for every exchange student. Be patient and do what you can to help your student throughout their academic year in America.
• Different communication styles: Some cultures are more direct, while others are more reserved. It might take you and your student some time to figure out the best ways to communicate, but it will help you build a stronger relationship.
• New foods and habits: Your student may be unfamiliar with American meals or daily routines. Encourage them to try new things but also respect their preferences—all the change can feel overwhelming, especially in their early days.
• Holiday celebrations: Your exchange student may celebrate different holidays or have unique traditions. Encourage them to share these with you, so that you all get a taste of each other’s celebrations. 

The most important thing? Embrace these cultural differences with an open mind—it’s all part of hosting a high school exchange student! 

How to Become an AYUSA Host Family

AYUSA is a leader in student cultural exchange, dedicated to creating positive, life-changing experiences for both students and host families. If you’re interested in becoming an AYUSA host family, here’s how to get started. 

AYUSA Host Family Eligibility Requirements

AYUSA welcomes all types of families—whether you have children at home, are empty nesters, or are a single-parent household. As well as the responsibilities we mentioned above, our hosts must: 

1. Be at least 25 years old
2. Have a stable and supportive home environment
3. Pass a background check and home visit
4. Be excited to engage in cultural exchange and include the student in family activities

Hosting international students doesn’t mean you have to be bilingual or have a large home—what matters most is that you can give your student a warm, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere to help them thrive during their time abroad.

About Our Students

AYUSA students come from over 50 countries worldwide, including Germany, Brazil, Japan, Spain, and South Korea. Our students are between 15 and 18 years old, highly motivated, and eager to experience American culture. All AYUSA students:

• Speak English at a conversational level
• Are high academic achievers
• Have medical insurance and all required vaccinations
• Cover their own personal expenses
• Are required to maintain good academic standing and follow program rules
• Are carefully screened through a rigorous application process before placement
• Can’t wait to meet you and experience American culture first-hand!

Learn more about our students here (and what makes them so special).

Our Support Network

Don’t worry—as an AYUSA host family, you’re never left to figure things out on your own! As soon as you express interest in hosting an international student, we’ll connect you with a local Community Representative (CR) who supports you every step of the way. Your AYUSA CR will: 

• Visit your home and make sure you’re a good fit for hosting
• Help you match with an exchange student who shares your interests and values
• Answer all your questions about becoming a host family 
• Make sure you’re prepared for the arrival of your student
• Check in regularly with you, the student, and the school
• Send periodic progress reports to the student’s natural family 
• Support you however they can through your hosting journey!

If you’re ready to open your home to an exchange student, start your hosting application here!

For Students: How to Join AYUSA’s Study Exchange Program

If you’re an international student looking for the experience of a lifetime in the U.S., we can help! Here’s what you need to know about AYUSA’s eligibility requirements, support, and how to join our exchange student program. 

Eligibility Requirements

Before we set you up with a host family, a school, and an amazing new life for a year, we need to make sure you’re a good fit for the program. All AYUSA high school exchange students must be: 

• Aged between 15 and 18 years old at the start of the program
• Solid academic performers across all subjects
• Proficient in English as demonstrated by passing an English language test
• Mature, adaptable, and eager to embrace new experiences
• Medically cleared to travel to the United States and fully vaccinated 
• Able to fund their flights, health insurance, and other expenses

Depending on your nationality, there might be extra requirements about traveling to the United States, so it’s important to check with AYUSA representatives in your region for specific details.

How AYUSA Supports You

We know that leaving home for the first time is a big deal, but one of the benefits of studying abroad with AYUSA is that we offer in-person support throughout your time in the United States. Every AYUSA exchange student has a Community Representative (CR), who is there to help you whenever needed. They’ll regularly check in with you, your host family, and your school, and send periodic progress reports back to your family. 

We also provide support during the application process—we can help you navigate health insurance, coordinate your flights, and organize your J-1 visa, which is a legal requirement for all exchange students visiting the United States. 

And of course, you always have your host family for guidance and support! We fully vet and screen every host family to make sure they can provide you with a safe, comfortable place to live during your study exchange program. 

How Do You Become an AYUSA Exchange Student?

Experiencing American high school, making friends from around the world, sharing your culture with a host family, sightseeing around the United States on the weekend—you can do all these things when you join AYUSA! To get started, get in touch with us here or start your student application here. We can’t wait to hear from you! 

There’s a Whole World Waiting for You—Join AYUSA Today!

The word “life-changing” gets thrown around a lot, but that’s truly what a high school study exchange program is! Make new friends, expand your horizons, and learn what life’s like on the other side of the world as you share your culture and celebrate what makes each one of us unique (and similar). 

Whether you’re considering opening your doors to an exchange student or you’re a student yourself, AYUSA is here to guide you every step of the way. It’s our mission to forge connections between host families and exchange students—join us today and become part of a global community that embraces learning, cultural exchange, and lifelong bonds!

Start your hosting journey here, or apply here to study abroad with AYUSA!