We polled our host families to find out what they love most about hosting, and their responses were overflowing with enthusiasm! They eagerly shared the wonderful benefits and heartwarming experiences that come with welcoming an exchange student into their homes.
If you've ever considered hosting, this post is for you! Read on to discover the incredible stories and insights from our host families and see why hosting an exchange student could be one of the most rewarding decisions you'll ever make.
Gaining the son we never had
We are a retired couple married for 48 years. Our exchange student, Riu Yokoyama from Tokyo, Japan, attended Grandriver Prep in Michigan. He played on the volleyball team, joined us at church, and loved outings to Grand Haven beach and Saugatuck. Riu excelled in school and became like the son we never had, even helping my husband with Parkinson's. Hosting Riu was a wonderful experience, and we recommend hosting if you can.
Jack & Deborah Yonkers, Grand Haven, Michigan
Hosted Riu from Japan
Creating a connection with another culture
The best part about hosting is creating a connection with someone from another culture. We have learned so much about the Spanish culture through our two students. We also enjoy watching them grow throughout the year. From being quiet and shy to being another one of the family members. Hosting has truly been the best experience.
Aimie Adams from Amherst, Virginia
Hosted Isabel and Martina, both from Spain
Knowing you’re investing in the life of a teen
The best part of hosting is knowing you and your family are investing in the life of a teenager in a powerful, meaningful, life-changing, and significant way. The initial benefits cannot be put into words, while the long-term rewards will last forever.
Hosting adds an entirely new element to your family life in a new, exciting, memorable, and thoroughly fun way.
Susie & Jeff Stern from Annville, Pennsylvania
Hosted Jonas from Czech Republic
Growth as an individual and as a family
The growth you will experience as an individual and as a family! As parents, we learned to navigate adding another teen into our family and doing that while learning about who they were as a person, their culture and understanding their own emotional journey while balancing our own needs. In our children, we saw them learn to share household duties, even when it came down to sharing a bathroom and adapting to new schedules.
Sarah Hayes from Martin, Michigan
Hosted Nele from Germany
It's one of the most rewarding experiences
This has been my husband and my first time hosting, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences out there. Through hosting we were able to experience a whole new culture in a fascinating way, while also being able to share our own American culture. We loved being able to expand our family and broaden our horizons, and we genuinely grew a long lasting connection with these girls. This experience was everything.
Rhiamae Legaspi from Fresno, California
Hosted Ananya from Thailand and Emma from France
It keeps us young!
Ok, for me, she kept us young! We did more in 9 months than we have done in the last 5 years of being empty nesters! I enjoyed every bit of our time together!
Dave & Misty Amodt from St. George, Utah
Hosted Apisara from Thailand
It enriched our family
Participating in the exchange program has enriched our family, expanded our knowledge of other cultures and given us so much joy. Providing a space for our students to experience a school year in the United States and fulfill their goals that they work so hard to achieve and the bonds we have formed is the reason we have participated in the program as many times as we have. I cannot express how much we appreciate ICES and the students it has made into our family.
Bruce & Jennifer Craig from Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hosted Iben (Denmark, Yong (Thailand), Adele (France), and Eliska (Czech Republic)
Learning and sharing
The best part of hosting an exchange student is the experience of learning about a different culture and sharing insights about American life. Additionally, it offers the opportunity to explore and visit new places together, making the experience even more rewarding.
Jon Hook from Hastings, Michigan
Hosted Ivan from Spain
Creating a wonderful bond
This was our first time hosting an Exchange Student! Manuela was such a joy to have join our family for the school year. She was able to share her culture and passions from a completely different perspective. She fit in so well with our family, the school, and the community! We already miss her, but have created such a wonderful bond for the rest of our lives! We Love You Manuela!
Andy & Emily Wise from Ravenswood, West Virginia
Hosted Manuela from Spain
Connected us with extended families
We have hosted two students from Poland so far. Our first student, Grzegorz (Greg), participated in Cross Country and American Football at John Adams High School. We met his family in Poland during a 2023 summer trip. Grzegorz graduated high school in 2024. Our second student, Julka (Julia), participated in Winter Cheer and Tennis. We met her family in Krakow. Our third student, Marysia (Maria), will attend John Adams High School in 2024-2025. She loves to cook, and we’re excited to try her family's recipes. Hosting students has enriched our lives and connected us with wonderful extended families.
Jennifer & Jake Parcell from South Bend, Indiana
Hosted Grzegorz, Julka, and Marysia, all from Poland
Adding a new family member
Hosting an exchange student required time, dedication, and extra effort…but so REWARDING! How does
one begin to describe how wonderful it is to be a part of…
- Watching her English language progress
- Seeing her making new friends – spreading her wings
- Developing a strong level of independence
- Learning more about herself
- Sharing meals and discussing the differences in our customs and culture
- Traveling to other US cities – watching them discover more new places
- Evenings, talking about everything and nothing, chilling on the back porch.
What is the best thing about hosting an exchange student? If I must pick only one “best thing”, it would be permanently adding another person to my family!
Stacy Boston from Parkersburg, West Virginia
Hosted Caterina from Italy
Growth, learning, and community impact
When Ken and I decided to be a host parent, we were a bit nervous. Soon after our fear dissipated, we became like family talking, joking, and sharing with one another. It was a tremendously rich experience sharing our language and culture. We enjoyed traveling with him to different states and exploring the landscape of the West. Alex truly loves music, so we were able to share with him the music of America and the place of its recording in Nashville. We loved watching him grow as a young adult through his many experiences. We also learned that hosting was bigger than us because the community was able to participate in Alex's culture. Not only did Alex grow, but we also grew as people too. Because of our good experiences, we are contemplating taking on another student in the future.
Kenneth & Arlene Stulc from Gillette, Wyoming
Hosted Alex from Slovakia
Are you ready to bring this life-changing experience to your family? Hosting an exchange student is a journey filled with laughter, learning, and lasting memories. We're always looking for caring host families who are willing to open their hearts and homes to these incredible students. By becoming a host family, you not only make a significant difference in a young person's life but also gain an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impact on your own family. If you're interested in making a difference and embarking on this rewarding adventure, we'd love to hear from you. Join us in fostering global connections, one student at a time.
