---
title: What's the best part of hosting an exchange student?
description: Discover the heartwarming experiences and benefits of hosting an exchange student shared by host families. From creating connections to personal growth, hosting can be a rewarding and enriching experience.
image: https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/HF%20best%20part.png
---

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# What's the best part of hosting an exchange student?

By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens)

![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/HF%20best%20part.png)

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

![older couple with teen boy](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-07-04-30-4891-PM.png?width=1028&height=711&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-07-04-30-4891-PM.png)

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

![teen daughters with exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-07-03-45-1014-PM.png?width=1090&height=517&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-07-03-45-1014-PM.png)

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

![parents and two teen boys](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-07-00-27-6036-PM.png?width=1097&height=627&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-07-00-27-6036-PM.png)

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

![family photo in garden](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-59-32-6325-PM.png?width=955&height=626&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-59-32-6325-PM.png)

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

![host parents with two girls in city](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-07-01-11-6898-PM.png?width=932&height=665&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-07-01-11-6898-PM.png)

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!

![host parents and exchange student in nature](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-53-45-3861-PM.png?width=635&height=508&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-53-45-3861-PM.png)

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

![family with student at airport](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-57-27-7055-PM.png?width=471&height=392&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-57-27-7055-PM.png)

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

![parents and 2 teen boys in city](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-55-18-4397-PM.png?width=1048&height=737&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-55-18-4397-PM.png)

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

![family photo selfie](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-54-46-6823-PM.png?width=742&height=550&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-54-46-6823-PM.png)

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

![family with exchange students](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-51-29-2532-PM.png?width=1155&height=592&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-51-29-2532-PM.png)

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

![host mom and girl at senior night](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-45-30-0574-PM.png?width=557&height=470&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-45-30-0574-PM.png)

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

![host parents and boy in front of waterfall](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-47-20-4141-PM.png?width=910&height=653&name=image-png-Jul-17-2024-06-47-20-4141-PM.png)

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. 

[![Learn More About Hosting](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5594019/87713500-f2b6-4ce3-8d2d-e465468fdc9e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5594019/87713500-f2b6-4ce3-8d2d-e465468fdc9e)

 

 Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [Family Fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/family-fun)

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