The “matching” of an exchange student with his or her host family is a key factor in the likely success of student’s exchange year in the U.S., and program coordinators around the country take the process seriously. This isn’t a 2-3 week vacation visitor, after all. It’s a person who will live in your home for […]
Families have different reasons for why they choose to host. Reasons include a desire to expose one’s children to other cultures, building long-term relationships, changing the dynamics of children’s relationships in the family, and learning how to prepare for when your own kids become teenagers. Welcoming an international student into your home can spark your […]
We just wanted to share this great video about one of the amazing exchange students we worked with last year. Malina’s enthusiasm and sense of adventure are why it’s so much fun to work with exchange students. Want one of your own for next year? We can’t give you Malina — she’s been here already, […]
As the year begins, there are many things exchange students need to know in order to adapt to and fit in with their host family. Most students will have been to an orientation in their home country before leaving for their exchange, but it’s impossible to remember or cover everything. In the U.S., exchange students have […]
Students will be arriving soon for their exchange year around the world. Many have already arrived and in some places, they have started their school year. Perhaps you as a host family are taking a vacation before your student arrives and need something to read on the road. Perhaps your student has arrived and you […]
This is part 3 in our series on host family tips; part 1 is about contacting your student before arrival and part 2 talks about a few thoughts about pre-arrival preparation. Today we’ll share a few thoughts on setting expectations when your student arrives. “Expectations” includes both the do’s and don’ts as well as fun […]
This is part 2 in our series on host family tips; here is last week’s tip. Today, let’s think about some preparation ideas for before your exchange student arrives. Here are a few suggestions that have worked for our host families.Set Up The BedroomYou do not need to remodel or get new furniture, but you […]
It amazes us every year to see the lengths that families go to welcome their students: taking them on excursions around the community, showing them the local high school, and just spending time with them. We’re always in awe with how much people are willing to do! Bringing a student into the host family home, however, […]