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.
Ever wondered what hosting looks like through a dad’s eyes? Today, host dad Derek shares what the experience has meant to his family and how life has changed since Ajia from Pakistan joined them for the 2025-26 school year in Utah, with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State. Keep … Continue reading
Hosting an exchange student can turn a house into a home, and Nicole from Arizona knows this firsthand! Community Manager Nicole and her family welcomed Elsa from Sweden, and from day one, Elsa became part of the family. Even after returning to Sweden, Elsa comes back to visit for holidays and special occasions, keeping the … Continue reading
Sometimes, hosting an exchange student becomes something far bigger than a single school year. Today, we hear from Sharon, a host mom and International Coordinator in Texas, as she reflects on welcoming her very first exchange student, Diego from Spain. What began as a nervous first step into hosting quickly turned into a lifelong bond, … Continue reading
Every host family’s experience is unique, but one thing remains the same: hosting an exchange student brings unexpected joy and growth. From learning about new cultures to gaining an extra son or daughter, here’s what five Aspect families say they’ve gained. It was the best experience ever! We will have a fifth member of our … Continue reading
Every rescued life tells a story of hope and new beginnings. Today we hear from John, the founder of Emery Cat Rescue, about Ferb, a cat who found a second chance at life. Stacey and her family were fostering Ferb and hosting Liséa from France during the 2024–25 school year, and Liséa quickly bonded with … Continue reading
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