Thinking about hosting an exchange student? Or just curious about how it all works? We've rounded up our most commonly asked questions and put them all in one place just for you!
If you have questions that aren't on this list, don't hesistate to contact us and we'll gladly answer them for you. We love sharing the wonderful world of youth exchange!
Q: How does hosting an exchange student work?
A: ICES students come to share their home culture and learn about American culture in a hands-on way. Exchange students live as a member of the host family--not a guest or a boarder—and participate in family activities, respect household rules, and even help with chores. Students learn about real-life America by participating in it.
On the host family side, it means opening your heart and home to an international teen, and sharing your daily life with them. Most often, cultural sharing happens in the simple parts of daily life such as preparing meals, running errands, and doing all the things that makes your family unique.
Exchange students are enrolled in the local high school where they attend classes full-time and participate in extra-curricular activities for which the U.S. is so famous.
Q: How old are the students and where are they from?
A: Our students are 14-18 years old, and they come from over 30 countries around the world. They are screened for English skills, academics, and maturity, and all students receive pre-departure orientation in their home country and again after arriving to their host community.
Q: If I decide to host, how long is the commitment?
A: Our students come for an academic year (10 months) or semester (5 months). In addition to permanent host families, we also utilize Welcome Families (4-8 weeks) and emergency back-up families who fill in as needed. Whether you're ready to dive in for a full year, or you want to try hosting with a shorter committment, we'd love to talk with you and share available opportunities.
Q: How much does it cost to host? Will I get paid?
A: Host families are volunteers who provide room & board and loving parental guidance to an exchange student. ICES students come with medical insurance and spending money to cover all personal expenses, including school/sports fees, clothing, entertainment, phone, toiletries, etc.
Some host families want to cover some of these things for their student--and they are welcome to do so--but exchange students come with the expectation that they will cover the majority of their own expenses.
You don't have to be rich to host. Most of our host families are average, middle-class people who enjoy sharing their normal, non-exotic lives with exchange students who are eager to experience it. Many of the things you consider mundane are a thrilling adventure for an exchange student.
As a host family, you will be eligible to claim a tax deduction of $50 per month that the student lives in your home.
Q: What is the host family screening process like?
A: Once you’ve decided to host, you’ll complete a brief online application to provide us with some basic information about your family, home, and community. Each person over the age of 18 will need to submit a criminal background check, which we will run at no cost to you. You’ll also need to provide us with the names of several people we can contact to provide a reference for your family.
Your Local Coordinator will meet with your family in your home to get to know you better and answer any questions you have about the program. The LC will receive a tour of your home, and will take photos of the inside and outside of it, as well as a picture of your family.
The LC will contact your local high school and work with them to secure approval for your exchange student to attend.
The entire process typically takes less than a week, and once it’s completed, you’ll be able to contact your exchange student and start getting to know him/her as you anticipate arrival day!
Q: Does an exchange student need to have their own room?
A: No. A student may share a bedroom with a same-gender teenage host sibling who is at least 12 years old. The exchange student must have his/her own bed and a quiet place to study.
Q: Would I be a good candidate for hosting?
A: We’d need to get to know you better to answer that definitively, but we can tell you that ICES students enjoy living on farms, in small towns, suburbs and big cities. ICES host families may be married or single, with or without kids, younger or experienced. If you have some extra love and a desire to share your culture, there's probably a student who would love to live with your family, and we’d love to talk with you about the possibility!
Q: My kids are young. Should I wait until they’re teens to host?
A: Not necessarily. Many younger families enjoy welcoming a foreign teen as an older sibling and mentor to their kids, and it’s a wonderful way for young children to learn to appreciate other cultures. Please note that your exchange student may not be used as a babysitter on a regular basis.
Q: I don’t have kids at home anymore. Would an exchange student be bored living with me?
A: We’ve found that empty nesters make wonderful host families and most students love this type of placement and the undivided attention it provides them. Your exchange student will make friends at school and by getting involved in extra-curricular activities. Some empty nesters love hosting so much that they host two students at a time!
Q: I live alone. Can I host—and would an exchange student want to live with me?
A: Yes! We have many single host parents who enjoy investing in the life of a teen through hosting. Since this is a non-traditional placement, students are given the option of accepting this type of placement, so any student you host will be there only because he/she wants to and is happy with this type of placement.
Q: Do I have to host for a whole year?
A: Most families love the deep bonds that are created from hosting for a full school year—but there are other options! If a year doesn’t work for you, consider hosting a semester student (5 months) or being a welcome family (4-8 weeks).
In many areas, we also utilize emergency back-up families who provide occasional short-term, temporary housing to exchange students.
Q: Do I have to take my exchange student on trips to see different parts of the country?
A: If you want to travel the U.S. with your exchange student, you are welcome to do so and your student will likely love it. However, this is not a requirement of hosting. The main focus of a host family is to provide a safe and nurturing home life for the student through which they can learn about American culture.
Your exchange student will have the opportunity to visit some of the most popular destinations in the U.S. through ICES’s partnership with Belo Tours. Belo does a great job of providing group trips specifically for exchange students.
In some areas, local ICES staff also offer trips and excursions for our students.
Q: How is a student matched to my family?
A: The choice is yours! You may visit Meet Our Students to read student letters and other limited information about students who are awaiting placement.
Once your family is vetted, your Local Coordinator can send you student applications that include letters from the student and their parents, as well as photos and other helpful information.
A big part of having an enjoyable hosting experiencing is finding a student that is a good fit for your specific family. You might choose a student from a country that interests you, or one who shares your interests, hobbies, or religion. Your Local Coordinator will be happy to answer questions and make suggestions to help you in your quest to find the right student.
Q: Will my student speak and understand English?
A: Your student will be able to converse with you immediately. Some teens will be almost fluent, while others will have a stronger accent and use smaller words, depending on how many years they have been studying English. Immersed in school, your student's fluency will improve, often quickly and dramatically.
Q: I have a big trip planned this year. How would that work if I’m hosting?
A: This is a common concern among prospective host families, and there are several good options. If you like, you can invite your exchange student to join you on your trip. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask the student to cover major expenses like airfare.
Sometimes it’s not possible or practical for the student to accompany you. In these cases, your Local Coordinator can help make alternate arrangements for your student while you’re gone. Your student may stay with another exchange student, the LC, or a friend. The LC will take care of any screening needed to ensure the student is in a safe, appropriate place while you’re gone.
Q: What if there are problems or my exchange student doesn’t fit well with my family?
A: Your Local Coordinator is there to support you and your student with anything you need. Excellent orientation will prepare you and your student for the exchange experience, and ongoing communication will help you with any challenges you might face. If for any reason the placement simply does not work, your LC will rematch the student to a different family.
Q: How is ICES different?
A: In a word—SUPPORT. We pride ourselves on going the extra mile to support you and your student. This takes on many forms from phone calls to see how things are going, to helpful handouts on topics like cultural differences and effective communication, to fun activities to enrich the experience for everyone. Our staff are passionate about their work and do their jobs well. We’ll gladly provide references upon request.
Ready to take the next step? Or do you still have questions? Wherever you are in the process, we'd love to help you consider the wonderful adventure of hosting an exchange student!