I'd like to host one or two foreign exchange students. How do I do this?

Question

I'd love to host a foreign exchange student with my family. My parents want boys or a boy at least 17. Does anyone know where I can look into this? Any help at all would be great. Thank you!

Answer 1

sounds a bit weird

Answer 2

if you live in the USA there are number of organizations that would be more than happy to have you as a host family.

e.g.    http://ayusa.org/    ; http://www.cci-exchange.com/; and a lot more, they're easy to search for :)

Answer 3

Hi!

Glad to hear you want to host. It's a great experience!

Here's what you need to do.

First, find a program. Make sure it is CSIET listed (www.csiet.org). Chances are, your school won't deal with a non-listed program anyway. You should check with your counselor to see what programs are already operating in your school. Chances are at least one or two. Get a recommendation from the counselor -- an organization is only as good as its local representative. Generally, AFS, Aspect, Rotary and YFU are reliable everywhere.

Once you have gotten a couple of choices, contact them. They will come an interview your family. BUT, remember YOU are in the driver's seat! They need you more than you  need them!

A couple of things to look for. If they guarantee you a student BEFORE the interview and background check .. that's a no-no. The exception would be a program representative that already knows your family and has a student in mind for you. Even then, no guarantee until the background check. Make sure the representative lives near you. The law says the representative MUST be within 120 miles, but closer is better!

Once you pick a program, you then get to pick your student. If you've not done this before, I would suggest hosting just one. If you like it, you might try two later on. When looking for a student, look for things that will help him fit into your home and school. If you are a small school, look for an athletic student. Chances are good he'll be able to play a sport AND he'll have something to do and it's a great way of making friends.

for lots of info on exchange students, including a host family point of view, check out www.exchangestudentworld.com.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 4

Foriegn excahnge students often come as part of a school program so see if your local high school has a foriegn exchange program and ask how to be a host family.