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
It’s an exciting time of year! Our 2026-27 students are arriving, eager to meet their host families and see the place they’ll call home for the next year! Snapping a photo or taking a video of that initial ‘meet and greet’ at the airport is a great way to preserve your first memory together. Make … Continue reading
For Lisa and her family, opening their home to exchange students has always been about welcoming others and learning from the people they meet along the way. After years of fostering, Lisa and her husband, Carlos, knew they wanted to continue making room for new connections. During the 2025-26 school year, their family welcomed two … Continue reading
As our 2026-27 exchange students prepare to depart for the United States, who better to offer advice than students who have just completed the same experience? Our 2025-26 students are sharing the lessons they learned, memories they made, and tips they wish they had known before arriving. Whether you’re preparing to meet your host family … Continue reading
Sometimes the greatest gift of hosting is not what you give, but the person you gain. We hear from host dad Derek from Utah, who welcomed Ajia from Pakistan into his family during the 2025-26 school year with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State. As he reflects on their … Continue reading
When Kathleen and her family decided to host an exchange student, they weren’t sure if it was the “right” time, but they chose to take a chance. What started as welcoming a student from Italy into their Texas home became something much more. During the 2025-26 school year, Giulio formed a special bond with their … Continue reading