Life Lessons You’ll Learn From Hosting Exchange Students
By Guest Author Sophia Jones Now may be a great time to consider becoming a host family for an exchange student. An Institute of International Education report stated that the number of international students in U.S. high schools tripled from 2004 to 2016, and more are set to arrive. Many of these students hope to continue their […]
Host Family Tips: Before Your Student Arrives
June and July are strange times for those of us working with international students. Our students who have been here for a semester or school year are returning to their home countries — yet at the same time, we’re looking for host families for the coming school year and beginning to reach out to our […]
Dear Host Parents, This is Why I Call Every Month: A Note From Your Exchange Coordinator
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. – George Bernard Shaw Today’s post describes a not-uncommon situation many coordinators face with new host families. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear New Host Parents, As you know, I am the local representative for your exchange student program. I know you are excited to […]
Communicating is Even More Important Than You Think
One of the hardest things an exchange student or a host family may face is sharing information that might result in the student moving to a new family. We are talking about real life things. Things like a host parent or sibling being very ill. A host parent losing his or her job. Students discovering […]
Getting Ready for the New Exchange Year: What If We Don’t Like Each Other?
I read this statement recently in a blog post: On August 12, 2016, I arrived in California. I still remember when I got off the plane, seeing unfamiliar faces holding a sign that has my name on it. I was nervous and terrified that they wouldn’t like me; I thought it would feel awkward to live with a family that […]
We Had a Bad Hosting Experience . . . Why Should We Host Again?
From an email we received during the last school year: We are currently hosting an exchange student. We are not enjoying it. The student is not as she described herself in her application. Our student is lazy, grumpy, and moody. Our home has felt awkward for months and we are anxious for her to leave. […]
Hosting If You Don’t Have Children: Why Not?
An acquaintance asked me recently, “what is it like to host an exchange student if you don’t have any children in the home?” It’s a question we get sometimes. People worry that perhaps they are not qualified to be a host family if they don’t have children living at home. What’s the answer? Well, it’s […]
Host Family Tips: How Can I Help My New Exchange Student in The First Few Weeks?
Bringing a student into the home is not an automatic “we will live happily ever after” situation. It requires work and time to build a good relationship. 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 […]