--- title: ICES Blog | Host an exchange student description: Host an exchange student | This blog is our means of sharing what we love most—seeing exchange students, host families, and the global community growing closer together through youth exchange. It’s also a way for us to do what we love to do—provide support to students and host families to help them have the best experience possible, and help those who are not (yet) an exchange student or host family understand why they should consider getting involved. --- [![ices@2x](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png?width=77&name=ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png)](https://www.icesusa.org/)   - [INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/international-student-exchange-programs/) - [HOST A STUDENT](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/) - [AMERICAN STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/american-student-exchange-programs/) - [WORK WITH US](https://www.icesusa.org/student-exchange-careers-and-partnerships/) - [ABOUT US](https://www.icesusa.org/about-us-overview/) - [CONTACT US](https://www.icesusa.org/contact-ices/) - [BLOG](https://blog.icesusa.org) [Let's Talk](https://blog.icesusa.org/contact)subscribe ### I’d like to learn more about Campaign Creators! # Welcome to Our Blog, It's Good to See You Subscribe to our blog today! ### Pick a topic, any topic. - [Recent Posts](https://blog.icesusa.org) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On January 9, 2026 ## [Why January Is the Best Time to Say Yes to Hosting](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-january-is-the-best-time-to-say-yes-to-hosting) January has a certain energy to it. *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On August 15, 2025 ## [It’s Not Too Late to Say Yes: Why Families Are Still Signing Up to Host](https://blog.icesusa.org/its-not-too-late-to-say-yes-why-families-are-still-signing-up-to-host) I’ve been a coordinator for exchange students for over 20 years, and let me tell you—if I had a nickel for every amazing host... *( read )* Tags: [Welcome Family](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/welcome-family), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On August 1, 2025 ## [If Your Family Isn’t Perfect, You Might Be Perfect for Hosting](https://blog.icesusa.org/if-your-family-isnt-perfect-you-might-be-perfect-for-hosting) If you’ve ever thought about hosting an exchange student but hesitated because your family doesn’t look like the picture-perfect... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On July 18, 2025 ## [You Don't Have to Solve the World's Problems—Just Open Your Door](https://blog.icesusa.org/you-dont-have-to-solve-the-worlds-problems-just-open-your-door) In a world that often feels overwhelmed by global challenges, it's easy to feel powerless. What can you do to really make a... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On July 11, 2025 ## [How Much Does It Cost to Host an Exchange Student?](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-much-does-it-cost-to-host-an-exchange-student) If you’ve ever considered [hosting a high school exchange student](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/), you’ve probably asked yourself: *Can we afford it?*It’s a valid... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On July 3, 2025 ## [Celebrate Freedom by Sharing It](https://blog.icesusa.org/celebrate-freedom-by-sharing-it) **What if the most patriotic thing you could do this Fourth of July wasn’t waving a flag—but opening your front door?** *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Gretchen%20headshot.png) By [Gretchen Mitchell](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/gretchen-mitchell) On May 17, 2025 ## [Think You're Too Busy to Host? Think Again.](https://blog.icesusa.org/think-youre-too-busy-to-host-think-again) Does your schedule ever leave you feeling like you're running around like a chicken with your head cut off? Like your house is ... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On May 9, 2025 ## [Exchange Students Celebrate Their Host Moms](https://blog.icesusa.org/exchange-students-celebrate-their-host-moms) Every year, ICES students arrive in the U.S. with a suitcase full of dreams—and leave with a second family in their hearts. In... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On April 25, 2025 ## [Will Recent Political Changes Affect High School Exchange Students?](https://blog.icesusa.org/will-recent-political-changes-affect-high-school-exchange-students) If you're wondering whether it's still safe to host a high school exchange student in today's political climate, you're not... *( read )* Tags: [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [U.S. Government](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/u-s-government) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On April 17, 2025 ## [American Easter is a Sweet Treat for Exchange Students](https://blog.icesusa.org/american-easter-is-a-sweet-treat-for-exchange-students) When high school exchange students picture their year in the U.S., they often dream of trick-or-treating, Thanksgiving feasts,... *( read )* Tags: [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [Student Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On February 21, 2025 ## [Choosing an Exchange Student: What Country Should I Host From?](https://blog.icesusa.org/choosing-an-exchange-student-what-country-should-i-host-from) So, you've decided to host a foreign exchange student—exciting! Now comes one of the most fun decisions: What country should your... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On February 7, 2025 ## [Cross-Cultural Photo Scavenger Hunt](https://blog.icesusa.org/cross-cultural-photo-scavenger-hunt) One of the most exciting parts of hosting a high school exchange student is the chance to see the world through a new lens—right... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding) [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student/page/2) ### Posts by Tag - [Cultural Exchange (141)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange) - [Exchange Student (106)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student) - [Host Families (97)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families) - [Host an exchange student (78)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student) - [Youth Exchange (68)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ## Subscribe to Our Blog Today! ![Boris_ICES_Ads](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Boris_ICES_Ads.png?width=749&height=698&name=Boris_ICES_Ads.png) - [INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/international-student-exchange-programs/) - [HOST A STUDENT](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/) - [AMERICAN STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/american-student-exchange-programs/) - [WORK WITH US](https://www.icesusa.org/student-exchange-careers-and-partnerships/) - [ABOUT US](https://www.icesusa.org/about-us-overview/) - [CONTACT US](https://www.icesusa.org/contact-ices/) - [BLOG](https://blog.icesusa.org/) © 2019 ICES - INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE SERVICES - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.