Imagine this: You’re sitting at the dinner table, sharing stories and laughter with a teenager from another country who has seamlessly become part of your family. Sound like fun? It is!
Hosting an exchange student can be one of the most rewarding experiences for a family, and choosing your student early sets the stage for a successful journey. Here's why now is the perfect time to take that step.
A Large Selection Means a Great Match for You
Choosing your student early gives you access to a wide pool of incredible candidates. Each student comes with a unique personality, set of interests, and dreams for their exchange year.
Are you an outdoorsy family? Perhaps a student who loves hiking would be a perfect fit. Enjoy cooking? A student eager to share recipes from their culture could add flavor to your family meals—literally and figuratively.
Completing a preliminary host family application will allow you to read student letters, and view photos and videos, allowing you to find a student that clicks with your family.
The Johnson family shared their experience: “We chose a student from Italy because our daughter loves art and wanted to learn about Italian culture. We couldn’t have picked a better match! The bond they formed over their shared interests made the year unforgettable.”
Time for Your Family to Prepare
Hosting a student is a big adventure, and having time to prepare makes all the difference. You might want to reorganize the spare room, plan family activities, or learn a few phrases in your student’s native language.
For the Petersons, this preparation time was invaluable. “We turned getting ready into a family project. Our kids decorated the guest room, and we all learned how to say ‘welcome’ in German. It made the experience feel even more special.”
Time for the Student to Prepare
Your student has their own checklist, too. They’ll need time to secure a visa, shop for climate-appropriate clothing, and learn about their new home state, community, and school.
Marta from Spain shared, “Knowing my host family early helped me feel more prepared. They sent me photos of their home and told me about the weather, so I knew exactly what to pack.”
Securing the School Spot
Many schools have limits on the number of exchange students they will accept, and some have strict deadlines. Choosing your student now can help ensure that they can attend your local high school. (Don’t worry—your coordinator will handle the school acceptance process for you.)
This step is crucial, especially for families in areas with high demand. “We almost missed out on hosting because we waited too long to decide,” shared one host mom. “This year, we chose early, and the process was so much smoother.”
More Time to Coordinate School and Extracurriculars
Choosing early allows you to discuss extracurricular opportunities with your student. This can include everything from sports to music programs, ensuring a more enriching experience.
Additionally, your student can bring necessary equipment from home and complete any required steps, such as getting a sports physical, well before their arrival.
“Our student wanted to play soccer,” shared the Martins. “Knowing that ahead of time meant he could pack his cleats and uniform, and we arranged for his physical early. It made starting the season stress-free for everyone.”
Time to Build a Relationship
When you select your student early, you have months to get to know each other. Instead of welcoming a stranger into your home, you’ll be embracing a family member. Emails, video calls, and social media make it easy to start building a connection.
“We exchanged photos and videos with our student before she arrived,” said the Ramirez family. “By the time we picked her up at the airport, we felt like we were reuniting with a loved one.”
Smoother Transition for Everyone
Having months to communicate allows you and your student to learn about each other’s routines, expectations, and quirks. This head start minimizes culture shock and sets everyone up for a smoother transition.
“Our student’s favorite meal is spaghetti carbonara,” said the Thompsons. “She taught us how to make it during a video call before she arrived. It was such a fun way to connect and made her first night here feel extra special.”
Time to Plan Your Year Together
When you start early, you can dream big about the year ahead. Plan trips, explore local attractions, or simply outline the little traditions you want to share—from family movie nights to Sunday brunch.
“We made a bucket list with our student,” said the Carters. “By the end of the year, we’d checked off everything from visiting the Grand Canyon to carving pumpkins. It made our time together so intentional and memorable.”
Don’t Wait—Start Your Journey Today
Choosing your exchange student now is about more than convenience; it’s about creating a foundation for an incredible experience. From building a bond before arrival to planning adventures together, the benefits are undeniable. Take the first step today and discover how hosting can transform your family.
As one host parent beautifully put it, “Hosting an exchange student didn’t just change their life; it changed ours. And it all started with choosing early.”
