Who are Exchange Students?

The student you host is between 15 and 18 years old and comes from one of 50 countries around the world. Most students arrive in August for the academic year; semester students arrive either in August or January.

Exchange students have English language proficiency and have received good grades from their schools back home. Many students are awarded scholarships sponsored by governments, foundations and private corporations.

Every student participates in a careful selection process and just as your family receives orientation and support, your exchange student will undergo a thorough preparation before traveling to the U.S. Students can count on the ongoing support of their local volunteer representative.

"It didn't take long before she was not only a part of our family, but also the community. That was really exciting."
- Ted Celeste
host dad
Columbus, OH

Exchange students are members of the family and share responsibility for the daily chores of typical American teenagers. Your student will bring his or her own spending money and will be covered by comprehensive health insurance arranged by the exchange organization.

First and foremost, an international exchange is an educational experience. The school life of your exchange son or daughter is nearly as important as family life. Students attend high school and, whenever possible, study American government, U.S. history, and social studies as part of their academic course work. Students come to share their lives with an American family - perhaps yours.

The Student's View

So why become an exchange student? Here are just a few reasons:

To learn about the USA, its people, and culture.
To master English.
To grow as a person and learn about themselves.
To learn their own culture "from the outside."
To have an educational opportunity of a lifetime.