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.
Rachel and her family were hosting Pietro from Italy for the 2024–25 school year when, just three months in, she learned she would need open brain surgery before Christmas. She and her husband gave Pietro the choice to stay or move to another host family, and he chose to stay. His optimism and kindness reminded … Continue reading
Today we hear from Sarah from France, who spent the 2018-2019 school year as an exchange student in Texas. Now, seven years later, she’s back visiting her American host family and friends. Sarah shares how her exchange experience helped shape her future, opened new opportunities, and led her to where she is today, all thanks … Continue reading
It’s an exciting time of year! Many of our exchange 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 … Continue reading
Ashley from Texas welcomed two students, Seio from Japan and Irakli (Ika) from Georgia, with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State, into her family for the 2024-25 school year. Read Ashley’s letter below, along with Irakli’s sweet response to see what she means to them and discover the love hosting can … Continue reading
Ever wonder what it’s like to host exchange students while homeschooling your own children? For Tiffney and her family, it’s been a rewarding mix of shared learning, cultural exchange, and spontaneous adventures. This school year, they’re hosting Dilnora from Uzbekistan, who is in Washington State with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the … Continue reading
Now that Ramadan has come to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how host families support their students during this spiritual time. Host mom Deborah shares how supporting Maddie from Mali, who is spending the 2024-25 school year with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State in Utah, during Ramadan has … Continue reading
Farm life is full of early mornings, hard work, and rewarding moments. For one host family, it became even more special with the addition of an exchange student. Today, we hear from Heather and Robert from Texas. When Alejandro from Spain joined their family, he jumped right into the adventure, from helping with chores to … Continue reading
You’ve heard, “the early bird catches the worm,” and it’s true for hosting! Christine, a host mom from Utah, shares how picking early gave her family more time to connect with their student, creating a better experience. This extra time can make all the difference! With Jette from Germany, they’re making unforgettable memories like cheering … Continue reading
Welcoming an exchange student into your home can be an exciting experience, but what if there are concerns about a host sibling and an exchange student sharing a room? For many families, this can feel like a big adjustment. Nuria from Spain (16), who is being hosted for the 2024-25 school year in California, and … Continue reading
Hosting an exchange student can be a life-changing experience, and for Katherine and her family, it’s one they’ve said “yes” to three times! What began as a simple reference check led to welcoming Rocio from Spain, whose easygoing nature made her an instant part of the family. This year, they opened their home to two … Continue reading