Welcome an exchange student into your home

Consider becoming a host family to an exchange student and you can bring the world right into your home, and your community. American host families are a special group of people who not only want to share the best of our country, but who also want to expand their own global understanding by getting to know young people from other countries.

EF Foundation for Foreign Study is the leader in foreign exchange. We have been bringing exceptional 15-18-year-olds to the U.S. for over 30 years, and offer families unparalled 24x7 support as well as a team of placement experts who will match your family with just the right student. We bring students to the U.S. from over 30 countries, and have helped more than 100,000 young people have the most memorable year of their lives!

Per the U.S. State Department which regulates foreign exchange, host families cannot be paid. All that is required of a family to host is a safe and caring environment where the student has his or her own bed, a quiet place to study and a seat at the table at mealtime. One host parent must be at least 25 years old, and all applicants are screened carefully. Host parents can be single, same-sex, retired, and with or without kids in the home.

The hosting experience is life-changing for both the student and the host family, and we strongly encourage you to apply. To learn more, click the yellow 'I want to help!' button above and your regional representative will be in touch with you soon. Thank you for your interest!

Skills

• Big Heartedness: The willingness to open your home and your heart to a young person who has left everything familiar far behind.

Requirements

It's hard enough being a teenager, and equally hard to be away from home and everything that's familiar -- but put those two things together and you start to imagine what a high school year abroad is like for a 15-18 year old exchange student. Host families need to be patient, flexible and loving and both you and your student will grow immeasurably during your host year. You will make the dream of living in America come true for a young person who will become your new "son" or "daughter" and likely be part of your extended family forever.