If you’ve ever considered hosting a high school exchange student, you’ve probably asked yourself: Can we afford it?
It’s a valid question—but maybe not the most important one.
Because here’s the truth: hosting a student isn’t about what’s coming out of your wallet. It’s about what’s going into your life.
Let’s take a closer look at what hosting really involves, what you’re expected to provide, and why you absolutely don’t need to be rich, live in a big house, or plan elaborate trips to make an incredible difference in a student’s life--and in yours too!
Hosting Isn’t About Wealth—It’s About Willingness
You don’t have to have a big house with a guest suite. You don’t need a second car or a passport full of stamps. You don’t need to be the family who’s always off on weekend adventures.
In fact, exchange students aren’t coming for luxury. They’re coming to experience real American life. And that means everyday routines, family dinners, school events, and the occasional run to Walmart.
What they want most is connection. Belonging. A place to call home.
If you have a spare bed, room at your table, and a heart ready to welcome someone new—you’re already most of the way there.
What Host Families Provide
Hosting is about sharing your normal, daily life. You’re not expected to fund an exciting vacation or cook five-star meals.
Here’s what you do provide:
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A bedroom (it can be shared with a same-gender sibling)
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Three meals a day—your normal groceries, family dinners, snacks
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Basic ingredients for a packed school lunch, if your student chooses to bring one
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A warm, supportive home environment where the student is treated like family
That’s it. You don’t need to make changes to your lifestyle. You’re simply inviting a student to join your world—just as it is.
If your student decides to buy lunch at school, that’s on them. If they want a specialty food or something your family doesn’t usually purchase, they’ll pay for it themselves. You’re not expected to cater to their cravings or upgrade your pantry.
What Students Cover Themselves
Students arrive prepared—with spending money and medical insurance to cover their personal expenses. They’re responsible for:
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School fees and extracurricular costs
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Clothing, toiletries, and personal items
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Cell phone and service
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Entertainment, meals out, and outings with friends
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Travel and optional trips
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Any uncovered medical costs
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Special food items or snacks beyond what your family normally buys
They’re not guests in your home—they’re temporary family members. And like any teen, they learn how to budget, contribute, and take responsibility.
And here’s something exciting: all ICES students have the opportunity to participate in optional tours designed just for exchange students through Belo Tours. These once-in-a-lifetime trips allow students to explore iconic U.S. destinations—like New York City, Los Angeles, Hawaii, and more—alongside fellow exchange students from around the world. If your student decides to take one of these trips, they’ll handle all the arrangements and costs.
What You’re Really Giving
Yes, you’ll spend a bit more on groceries. You’ll do a few more loads of laundry. But what you’re really offering is something far more valuable: a place to belong.
You’re giving a student the experience of American life from the inside. Not from a hotel or classroom, but from the couch during movie night. From the passenger seat on the way to school. From helping load the dishwasher after dinner.
You’re giving them a chance to build relationships, celebrate milestones, and be part of something real. And in return, you’ll gain something just as special—new traditions, global understanding, and a connection that lasts long after the exchange is over.
You Don’t Have to Be Rich to Change a Life
One of the biggest misconceptions about hosting is that it’s only for families with extra time, extra space, and extra money.
Not true.
Exchange programs are designed to work with average American families. You can live in a small town or a busy suburb. You might have a full house or an empty nest. What matters most is your heart—and your willingness to welcome someone new into your daily life.
No one is looking for perfect. Students are looking for real. And there’s beauty in that.
So… Can You Afford to Host?
Maybe the better question is: Can you afford not to?
Because while there may be some added groceries and an extra seat at the table, what you get in return is immeasurable—laughter, growth, connection, and a front-row seat to a young person’s life-changing journey.
Hosting isn’t about having more. It’s about giving more of what truly matters.
Ready to Say Yes?
If something about this speaks to you—if your heart is saying maybe we could do this—we invite you to learn more. Ask questions. Reach out. Explore the possibility.
Because sometimes the most meaningful decisions aren’t the ones that make perfect sense on paper. They’re the ones that make your world just a little bit bigger, warmer, and more connected.
