What is it like welcoming a new son/daughter/sister/brother into your home? Hear from some of our host families and experience some of the inspirational stories they have to share.
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
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
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
Today we hear from host dad Marshall from Texas, who, along with his family, welcomed Suvd from Mongolia and Liza from Ukraine into their home during the 2025-26 school year with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State! Marshall adds, “This being my first year hosting exchange students, I didn’t … Continue reading