How to Apply

If you've decided that hosting is for your family, you've already taken the first and most important step toward welcoming an international student into your home. As you can imagine, host families are selected very carefully to ensure that each exchange student is welcomed by a safe, caring, and responsible family.

We encourage you to read more about hosting throughout this Host Families section, then follow one of the three methods below to apply to be a YFU host family:

  • Method 1: Submit your application online by going to the Host Family Online Application. Once your application has been submitted, you will be contacted by your local YFU volunteer or staff person.

  • Method 2: Download the Host Family Application and return it to YFU by mail or fax. Please call your YFU District Office at 1-866-4 YFU USA (866-493-8872) for mailing or fax instructions.

  • Method 3: Call your YFU District Office at 1-866-4 YFU USA (866-493-8872) to request a paper copy of the Host Family Application.

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Once YFU receives your application, your local YFU representative will call you and may then meet with you to share information, answer your questions about hosting, and show you some profiles of international students that might be right for your family.

If you decide you want to host, the volunteer will interview your family to learn more about your interests and hobbies and will contact your personal references. If you are accepted to host a student, your YFU representative will help you select your new family member and seek approval from your local high school to enroll your student.

Later you will receive orientation materials and an invitation to an orientation program for host families in your community.

That's all there is to it! We hope you want to welcome an exchange student into your family. It's an educational experience that will benefit your family long after your exchange son or daughter returns home!