How to Become an AYA Host Family

Step 1: Apply
Your family will be asked to fill out an application, which provides details about your family members, interests, lifestyle, home and family rules. You will be asked for non-family references who can attest to your suitability as a host family. This application becomes a "letter" to your future student, sent to the student you choose with pictures you provide to introduce him or her to your family and your way of life.

AYA Host Family Application Form

Step 2: Family Interview
All family members should be present when the AYA Local Coordinator visits your home. The Local Coordinator must be sure that your family understands the responsibilities of hosting, see the room where the student will sleep and study and determine that all family members agree to share the experience. The Local Coordinator must be able to answer a resounding "Yes!" to the question "Would I place my own son or daughter with this family?"

Step 3: Choose a Student
After you have been accepted as a host family, you will be able to choose the student you would like to welcome into your home. Your Local Coordinator will show you profiles of different students (male and female) and help you find one whose interests and background are compatible with your family's.

Step 4: Attend Orientation
In the weeks before your student arrives, you will be invited to a host family orientation conducted by your Local Coordinator. This will be a chance for you and your family to participate in a workshop dealing with expectations and cross-cultural differences.

Your student will arrive in August or in June to begin his or her experience in the U.S. Sooner than you can imagine, the day will come when your student must pack his or her bags and head for home. Students hold open return tickets and will schedule their return within two weeks after the last day of school and no later than June 30. Saying goodbye is often the hardest part of the hosting experience.

If your family wants to learn more about our program, call (800) 322-4678, ext. 5164, complete our infomation request form, or e-mail aya.info@aifs.org.

We will send you information and refer you to the AYA Local Coordinator in your community, who can answer your questions and make an appointment to meet with you and your family.

Begin the application process!