Few moments compare to the excited, anxious, joyful feeling of when our exchange students step off the plane and meet the people they’ll begin to call family! Being welcomed by warm, heartfelt and even silly signs eases the tension and allows the first words and hugs to be exchanged. Even after hours of travel, those … Continue reading
The first days of hosting are already full of new experiences for host families and exchange students. Host mom Falguni shares a glimpse into her family’s experience hosting Clara from Germany for the 2026-27 school year, from trying new snacks and exploring the community to getting ready for the first day of school. It’s just … Continue reading
Today, we hear from host mom Jessica from Washington State, who, along with her family, welcomed Augustina from Ghana into their home for the 2025-26 school year. Jessica shares how hosting an exchange student was a wonderful fit for their family, what her younger children gained from the experience, and how Augustina brought something new … Continue reading
Last chance to be a part of our Annual Photo and Video Contest! 📸 Submissions will close on Monday, September 28th at 11:59 pm. If you haven’t already, here is how you can submit a photo or video: woobox.com/5q6cmu Good luck, and share with family and friends to gather the most votes! 🗳️ Are you interested … Continue reading
What happens when you open your home to a teenager from another country? You get a front-row seat to a year filled with new experiences, fresh perspectives, and plenty of stories to share! Today, host mom Amanda from Oregon shares what it was like to welcome Christian from Italy into her home with her husband, … Continue reading
Many families with young children wonder if they can truly provide the right experience for a teenage exchange student, but host parents Chris and Silvia knew that their little ones could make hosting even more meaningful! During the 2025-26 school year, they welcomed Hana from Japan into their home in Arizona and quickly saw their … Continue reading
The first smiles, hugs, and “welcome home” moments are happening! As students arrive and settle in with their host families, these first memories are ones worth celebrating and sharing! Have you snapped a photo or video of your student’s arrival? Don’t forget to submit it to our contest for a chance to win prizes. The … Continue reading
The 2025-26 school year may be over, but the memories of an exchange year can last a lifetime. For host mom Dotti from Utah, welcoming Amanda from Brazil meant new family traditions, snowball fights, fun school events, and plenty of laughter. As she looks back on Amanda’s exchange year, Dotti reflects on the meaningful impact … Continue reading
Hana, an exchange student from Japan, was recently featured by her local news outlet, InMaricopa, in an article highlighting her exchange experience in Maricopa, Arizona. The story was originally published in the July issue of InMaricopa and written by Monica D. Spencer, Associate Editor. When Hana arrived in Maricopa last August, she thought she was … Continue reading
The advice continues! In Part Two, our 2025-26 students share even more tips to help the 2026-27 class make the most of every opportunity. From stepping outside your comfort zone to building new friendships and embracing everyday moments, their experiences offer valuable reminders that an exchange year is about personal growth, connection, and trying new … Continue reading