What's the best way to become a host for a foreign exchange student?

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

What's the best way to become a host for a foreign exchange student?

I'm a single male, no spouse or children, who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. I own a house and have an extra room. What's the best agency to use to become a foreign exchange student host? How long is this usually for? Do any agencies offer financial help for food, etc.? Have any other single people done this before?

I was a single Mom with a 13 year old hosting an Italian exchange student. What a lot of people don't realize is that they're all in your city together, so there was like 50 "kids" who all end up at one house or another(even though they have been placed in different homes,they almost always want to spend the night together) I personally welcomed them crashing here because my guy was only 15. But when you do this you have to realize they llive differently and you have to kind of respect that. Like in Italy they don't eat until like 10:00 pm then they go out, then they go out for coffee and get home around 4:00 But it was SO worth it, I love my Nicola, and Fabrizio, and AnnaNicola (the pretty one) And keep in touch with them, so yes do it It will be really rewarding but also be prepared for lots of driving and please be patient! Here's an ad for foriegn exchange in your area

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41 Responses to “What's the best way to become a host for a foreign exchange student?”

comic_geek05 Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 5:36 pm

Not that I know of. Since exchange programs are done through schools, you'd probably have to be a parent of a student or a teacher or a school employee.
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ecolpretty1022 Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 6:01 pm

last year i went on a europe trip with my school. we went through ef tours.
a couple weeks ago they called me asking my family if we would be willing to be a host family. they said that they are always looking for host families. http://www.cci-exchange.com/host.htm or try that. i googled it for ya., lol so check it out
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BECKBY Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 6:43 pm

I have had several(22) foreign exchange students. It is great and it is bad. I am single but I had already raised my kids and was living alone. I actually only had three to live the entire school year with me but I became a good spot for the troubled kids to come to! I would keep some for ovenight or up to 6-8 wks until another home could be found.Some didn't have homes yet when they came and others couldn't get along with the host parents or were having trouble in school, etc. You really have to be careful if you do it and are single, so much can be blamed on you and with you just trying to help. My first was German girl who didn't like to bathe often and I had a time to get her to because her room began to smell. She was from a great family, it is just the way they do things. We had a great year until I found out that she received coke leaves from a German friend in another country and had tried them in my house! I didn't allow her to go on a band trip and boy did she get mad! I could have had her sent home because drugs are a big rule to break in the program. Her parents got mad also! I told them she could finish the year out but that I could not trust to send her on a trip with our school band. I could have been in trouble for drugs in my mail-a felony or in my house! You do not get money for food or expenses on most programs because that would intice unwanted families to do it so they could get extra money. I know of some of the cases where it happened. You need to think long and hard about this. If you get one you will be taking them back and forth to events because they cannot(!) drive,feeding them,dealing with teachers, taking them to the dr.if needed, having to deny sexual attacks(yes it happens if the kid is mad at you or having trouble and wants to go home.)having other teens in your home and maybe when you are not there. I came home from work one day to find a housefull having a pancake party! Do you know how sticky a bunch of teenagers can get a house! I didn't mind though because it was clean, though sticky, fun! Ask lots of questions and be sure of your time and how much you can afford emotionally and financially. Best wishes because they can be a blessing. One of my yr long Japanese girls found salvation!
References :
contact me if you need more info. I was in the Youth for Understanding program,YFU The ph was like 1-800-teenage , I believe, it has been a few yrs, so I'm not sure.

pritty_pussykat Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

get an advertising or info book about hostels, there should be ads for foriegn exchange students in there or in a parenting magazine . you can check your cities website or go down to the civic area where they give out things to welcome new residents and find out if they have any info, like santa ana encourages tourism and people to come check it out and have kits put together for those that inquire about it.
References :
have a hostel book from my library

Lacie L Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

When I was in high school my family hosted 5 students from different countries. The program we went through was Open Door. They had somebody come into our home and do an interview with each family member to try in determine which student was right for us. The shortest length was only 30 days in the summer and the longest was about 10 months through the school year. The high school I went to also only had a certain number of spots for these students from abroad so that might be a factor also. The program did not offer any help for food and what not but the children had to come with their one spending money. I remember a single lady hosting also when we did. The experiences varied from each student but we keep in touch with 3 of the 5 still today. I wish you the best of luck with this and when my daughter gets older I will give her the option for our family to host!
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moonsister_98 Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 7:45 pm

You have to talk to the high school principal. However it is very unlikely that you will be able to host a foreign exchange student.
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9929 Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 7:52 pm

Just contact the school district, you do not have to be a parent or go to the school, you just have to be able to drive him places and do things with him..We hosted a guy from Germany one year and it was a learning expereince, and fun..
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nas8caror300 Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

check with your local rotary club..that's how its done in the town i live in and they do some finacial help
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sum_dum_bok Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 8:57 pm

I did this as a single female many years ago. Given the right student, it would be a wonderful experience. I happened to get one who just wanted to get to "The States" because her brother was a foreign exchange student here and she ultimately ran away to be closer to him. (Minnesota to Arkansas)

I went through Education First, and I know they didn't screen me at all. I emailed them asking if a single woman could do that, and they overnighted profiles of four young women within the week. I ruled two out right away because they didn't want cats, and my second choice arrived like the following Wednesday.

She was sick when she arrived. She didn't tell me. Her mom's boyfriend finally got me on the phone and explained it to me in broken English. I got her to the doctor…nerves, I think.

The next topic (about two weeks after she arrived) was that her cousin was coming to visit. I told her it was too soon. My dad went out to the airport to get her. (Ham Lake to the MSP Airport) and they ran away together in a cab that night.

The agency was very good about not blaming me and they tried to place a young man from Sweeden with me. I might have been interested had it been a girl.
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stealm Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

The foreign language department of a local university, or other educational institution, could be of proper assistance in answering your questions. Good Luck and thank you for supporting eduacating Americans and non Americans as this is everyone's earth and we must learn to live together peacefully.
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Sierra Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 10:26 pm

My dad was an area representative for many years. He has had over 30 exchange students living in his home (before he married my mom)and our home. He worked for AISE (American intercultural student exchange). The students arrive in August and leave in June. You have to provide food and shelter. The students have their own money for clothes, entertainment, trips and that kind of thing. If you qualify for food stamps you can get those, thats the only way I know to get help with the food.

You get a choice of your student, within reason. Many single people have done this. This is a most rewarding experience!
References :
http://www.aise.com

sophieb Says:
January 11th, 2009 at 11:14 pm

I've seen ads for becoming a host for a foreign exchange student in the newspaper. I would imagine you could ask the superintendent of schools if they have any more information on this program. Or, maybe you could just put your name in the hopper with the superintendent of schools (saying you'd like to offer this). I honestly don't know if thre is a stipend or not. I would imagine you'd have to submit an application and be approved though before you could do this. My thought is that It's probably for the school year, like maybe you apply in June for their arrival in August . I would guess they would arrive a couple of days before school starts (in time to get books and supplis). Iwould wonder who would provide transportation to get them to and from school and who would protect them in these days when security is needed.
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Susan S Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 12:02 am

I know the Rotary sponsers foreign exchange students. You could contact them.
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mole Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 12:16 am

everyone around our area does it through the skool
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bushbaby_rsa Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 1:03 am

Another way is to join a Rotary club.

They sponsor exchange students and will need members to have the students stay with them.

This might be a good place to start. There should be a club in you area.
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Sidoney Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 1:50 am

I was a single Mom with a 13 year old hosting an Italian exchange student. What a lot of people don't realize is that they're all in your city together, so there was like 50 "kids" who all end up at one house or another(even though they have been placed in different homes,they almost always want to spend the night together) I personally welcomed them crashing here because my guy was only 15. But when you do this you have to realize they llive differently and you have to kind of respect that. Like in Italy they don't eat until like 10:00 pm then they go out, then they go out for coffee and get home around 4:00 But it was SO worth it, I love my Nicola, and Fabrizio, and AnnaNicola (the pretty one) And keep in touch with them, so yes do it It will be really rewarding but also be prepared for lots of driving and please be patient! Here's an ad for foriegn exchange in your area
References :
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/vol/185811020.html

guitar.chick13 Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 2:29 am

I am thinking of doing the same thing I am going at it through my church and they have two different programs there is a flex program that the students are coming on a scholarship and their parents HELP pay these kids are between the ages of 15 and 18 they stay for 10 months

then there is the other program that the kids parents pay for everything they stay for 5 months they are also between the ages of 15 and 18

hope that this helps
Dani
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cowgirl Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 3:01 am

Contact your school district. They will get you the names of people who you would provide references to.
I believe it's for the school year. Sept thru May.
I'm sure single people have done this before.
Good luck, Matt:)
http://www.volunteermatch.org/results/org_detail.jsp?orgid=38925
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flowerspirit2000 Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 3:50 am

GO TO LOCAL COLLEGES AND HIGH SCHOOL OFFICES….AND APPLY THERE
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sunflare63 Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 4:14 am

LOOK IT UP ON THE NET……http://www.foreignexchangestudent.gov.org.
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Roseknows Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 4:42 am

Get in touch with the American Field Service and ask to be considered as a host family.

There are a lot of families who are hosts who have never had children participating in this program. It would be the best place to start.
References :
http://usa.afs.org/

kc2nkl Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 5:10 am

Contact AFS International….they have a fantastic student exchange hosting program and are always looking for host parent(s)

http://www.afs.org
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chynna Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 5:16 am

Instead of hosting a foreign exchange student you might contact your local college or university and host a foreign student. They are generally more independent but would still require some assistance due to language and culture. Some of the other things people have said might still apply but they should be slightly more mature. Most of the students try to get their driver's license and own car after they have been here for a few months unless of course, they can't afford one.
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Cyndi D Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 5:38 am

We had a young man from South America stay with us for a year and it was a wonderful experience and the young man became part of our family.
We went through AFS http://usa.afs.org/ and this program did not pay for the student, although I know some agencies do. As far as screening they came and interviewed everyone in our family (which included my parents, myself — even though I was away at college, my brothers — who although they did not live at my parents house were there all the time, and my foster brothers and sisters who lived with my parents.) One of the best things about our foreign exchange student was how much he opened the eyes of my foster siblings who had spent their who lives in our small town. It made one of them want to learn a foreign language and travel to Europe which she did when she finished high school, she even lived there for about a year.
Click here to find a listing of different exchange programs. http://search.yahoo.com/search/dir?p=student+exchange+programs&fr=FP-tab-dir-t-t400&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8
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byrd Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 6:01 am

learn some of there lanuage and have fun doing some of their customs, never forgetting to show him some of yours. most places now have their own housing but if you talk to some schools and agencies your should luck up. GOOD LUCK
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HuggyBear Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 6:32 am

Below is the summary of a "Touched by an Angel" episode about Irish Children. It was very good. It involved a group called "Project Children" http://www.projectchildren.org/ who are trying to form better ideas in the children between the Protestants and Catholics in Ireland.

132. Life Before Death First aired: 2/13/2000
Monica is ecstatic to be assigned to help her beloved Ireland, where she first set foot on earth. Her assignment is a group of teens from Northern Ireland, whom she hopes to persuade to come to the United States through a program called Project Children. However, the group of teens is made up of both Catholics and Protestants, religious groups that have been fighting a bloody religious war for centuries. Recently, a peace treaty was signed, but peace is dependent on the youth of Ireland. Monica interviews teenagers of the program, and finds bitterness and prejudices on both sides. She hopes that two particular teenagers, Tommy, a Catholic, and Rose, a Protestant, will be able to lead the others into peace. Tommy's brother Gavin, whom Tommy greatly admires, also encourages Tommy to work towards peace by accepting the trip to America. In America, the teens find that their prejudices are strong, and they are reluctant to overcome them. The first night, Tommy and Rose both wake from bad dreams of their violent childhood and meet in the kitchen. They share a cup of tea and begin to fall in love. Under the guidance of Andrew, Monica and Tess, the teens slowly begin to cooperate on renovating a house. Late one night, Tommy and Rose meet in secret to share a loving moment, but it turns sour when they discover that Tommy's father was in the IRA and Rose's father was in the British Police. The damages done to both parents during a riot are still scars for the young lovers, and the prejudice that set their fathers against each other is suddenly rekindled in these two young leaders. Monica is extremely discouraged, but Tess reassures her that peace can be reached. The next day a fight almost erupts between the groups. The battle is averted by the arrival of an Irish band, and the teens dance, their common culture uniting them. It seems as if peace has been achieved until Tess arrives with some bad news, Gavin is dead. Although his death was declared an accident, the explosion that caused it makes all the teens suspicious of each other again and widens the gap between Tommy and Rose. As Tommy prepares to go home for the funeral, he and Rose reluctantly approach each other. As they start to fight again, Monica revels herself as an angel and tells that the Father wants them to help lead their generation into peace. Tommy and Rose accept the words of wisdom and finally accept each others love. All the children return to Ireland for Gavin's funeral, and Tommy delivers a message of peace and a promise of goodwill in his eulogy. Led by Tess, the teens unite at the altar and sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth," a symbol of the lesson of peace they learned in America.
References :
I get a catalog from this company http://www.shopirish.com called Creative Irish Gifts. There is always an article in the catalog about a program they are involved with in helping Irish children. Click on the link at the bottom of the homepage to read more about the Northern Ireland Children's Project.

azera_007 Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:03 am

Figure it out-and soon.

Good Luck-you'll need it!
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Mark M Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:37 am

You would have to apply directly through your community's high schools by making an application to that school's foreign exchange program. It used to be called the American Field Service Exchange Student Program. Simply call the administrative offices of your high school and tell them that you would like to apply to this program as a foreign exchange student host.
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zee_prime Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:43 am

The agency I've had the most dealings with is the American Field Service. Both our kids have spent a year overseas with them; Sweden and Russia. We've also hosted students from overseas. We know of one boy from here (NZ) who spent a year with a solo mother and her kids in France. It's best if there are kids of about the student's age in the host family. I don't know about other agencies, but AFS expect the host family to pay for board and normal living expenses for the student. The student has to provide his own spending money. You include the student in your usual family activities like outings at your expense. For instance, our son's host family in Sweden took him on holiday in Spain with them. AFS charge the student about US$ 5000, and out of this they pay for school fees, medical insurance and return airfare to their host family's home. AFS have very good back-up. If the student goes to a country with poor health services, they'll evacuate him in a medical emergency, and in the unlikely event of a civil emergency or a war, they pull him out.
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1Edge3 Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:27 am

If you have an extra room, maybe just rent it real cheap to an American college student or maybe an independant high school student? There may even be programs where you can be like a mentor to them. I'm just saying… because there's folks in America who could use that room instead of someone from somewhere else who will hate us anyway in 5 years.
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mooselover000 Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:47 am

i became one through a school, my teacher told me of an opening and that is how i entered but i think they have agencies look around the internet there is another organization tht i know of called GAPP look for that
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Boaz Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 9:30 am

Get a list of universities/colleges in your area and tell hem of your intent.
They will do a background check and after the necessary clearance they will set up a meeting and assuming that there is mutual interest, they will advertise it through their admissions office.
Boaz.
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Sky Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 9:43 am

Hey,
I can definitly help you out, i just had a german exchange student stay with me for the past year.

First off, we used YFU(youth for understanding). You can chose your student, they will send you a few different profiles and you choose who you want. Some students wish to stay for 2 semesters, other kids only want to stay for 1. As for financial aid with food, no. It is your responsibility. You are going to be volunteering to take in a student, so you shouldnt take on something you cant handle. Here are some tips if you do have the student come:

First off, when they arrive, maybe have some pictures of your community on the walls in their room. Have a map of the united states and make an "X" wherever your town is. Have a bowl of interesting candy on their desk as well, try to look for exotic/plain out weird candy, that way the exchange student gets a taste of the different candies in the US. Our exchange student loved it, he had never seen a few of the things we had.

Next, make sure to treat them as family all the time. If you give chores to your other children or would give chores to children if you had some, give the exchange student chores. They want to feel at home and if you give special treatment they will enjoy it yes, but they will begin to get antsy in their free time as did our student. If you would ground one of your kids for one reason, ground the exchange student for that reason if they do something wrong, dont feel bad because they arent really your kid, they are living with you for a year, so they are for the time.

Next make sure to get them involved with school. Work it out so you know what sports/clubs your student participates in at home, so that when they arrive you can take them to school and sign them up for those same activities and maybe some others that sound interesting.

Take your student to large cities in the US. If you can, go to New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and places like that. Take them to the tourist spots, show the white house and stuff…taht stuff seems boring to us, but it is incredibly amazing to them.

email me if you have more questions
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Pink H Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 10:19 am

contact the nearest school.

I have had friends that hosted exchange students but theschool always made sure there was another child near the same age as the exchange student.
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Kittie Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 10:59 am

my sister in law used to place students. i have had one and my bro in law too. his was 10 months and our was an immediate reassignment. we had her for 5 months.
AYA was the company. contact any local school, they will know the info and might know of a child in your area that needs placement for the upcoming school year.
my sis in law had one twice and was single at the time. as long as you are financially able of sustaining yourself and helping them that is all that matters. background check may be necessary. the students are required to pay for most of their expenses. you are required to only provide 1 meal or 2 for them. but just let them join in the swing of things and you will find a routine that fits you both. Good luck. email me if you have more questions. I just through away a referral slip too!
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coorissee Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 11:27 am

Ask your school to put you in touch with last year's host family. See what pointers they can give you. Ask them for resources. Also, ask what country the student will be from and do *your* homework! Good luck!
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stradfan90 Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 11:32 am

I think you should call and ask some good schools around your area. They are ALWAYS in need for new hosts. Of course, they will inspect your place and I think you will have to sign some paper and then answer some questions.
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bigone#111 Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 12:18 pm

Learn Manners!! thats all.
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Genetic Chaos Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

You're still not going to get laid.
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Chuck Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

Yes they have but they inspect you home to make sure every thing is on the up. Most likely they will not let you sponsor an exchange student.
References :
http://sea-usa.org/hosting/hostFamily.aspx?OVRAW=foreign%20exchange%20student%3F&OVKEY=foreign%20exchange%20student&OVMTC=standard

Melissa L Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 1:51 pm

speak with the guidance councelor at your local high school.
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What's the best way to become a host for a foreign exchange student?

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