Become a Host Family
Why Host an Exchange Student?
When you host an exchange student, you’ll embark on a journey of international understanding and friendship where cultural differences are explored, new traditions are shared, and lifelong bonds are formed.
As a host family, you can expect to:
- Build lifelong memories and friendships
- Bring new cultural traditions and global perspectives into your home
- Share your culture and family traditions with someone eager to learn about them
- Make an impact by opening lines of communication and breaking down barriers
- See yourself and your family grow and learn about a new culture
Eligibility: Who Can Host?
At AYA, we welcome all kinds of host families—because a “family” can mean many things. Host families include single adults, couples with or without children, parents, retirees, and everyone in between. What truly matters is your willingness to open your home, share your culture, and provide a caring, supportive environment for an exchange student.
You don’t have to fit a traditional definition of “family” to make a lasting impact. If you can offer kindness, stability, and curiosity about another culture, you can be a wonderful host.
To host an exchange student, you’ll need to meet these basic requirements:
*A private bedroom isn’t necessary; students may share a room with a host sibling of the same gender and similar age, as long as each has their own bed.
What’s the Role of a Host Family?
Host families are the bridge between the exciting new experiences exchange students discover in the U.S. and the familiar support that helps them thrive. That’s why AYA host families play such a meaningful role. By opening your heart and welcoming an exchange student into your family, you become their home away from home, offering comfort, guidance, and a place where they truly belong. Over time, many host parents find that their exchange student feels less like a guest and more like a new son or daughter.
In addition to the baseline requirements to host, host families are expected to do the following to ensure exchange students have an impactful experience:
- Provide a warm, caring home where students feel safe and valued.
- Create a supportive environment that encourages connection and participation in family life.
- Share your own traditions while embracing and learning about your student’s culture.
- Help students experience American life and guide them as they adjust to new customs and cultural differences.
Benefits of Hosting an Exchange Student
When you host an exchange student, you don’t just welcome a young person from another country; you open your home to new perspectives, deeper family connections, and lifelong friendships. Hosting through Academic Year in America (AYA) allows you to make a global impact right from your own community while enriching your family’s everyday life.
Families often tell us that hosting helps them see their world with fresh eyes. By experiencing daily routines, traditions, and milestones through the eyes of an exchange student, many hosts discover a new appreciation for their own families, communities, and one another.
Here are some of the meaningful benefits host families experience:
- Stronger Family Bonds
- Cultural Enrichment at Home
- Personal Growth and Global Awareness
- Lasting International Friendships
- Positive Community Impact
- A Sense of Purpose
Reliable Support, Anytime You Need It
When you host an exchange student with AYA, you’re never alone in your journey. Our dedicated Local Coordinators and national team are here to provide caring, personalized support every step of the way. And if you require urgent assistance outside regular hours, our 24-hour support line ensures help is there when you need it.
Meet an AYA Host Family
Hear from a family in Colorado about their experience hosting an exchange student for the first time.
Inspiring Student Growth & Success
At AYA, we ensure every high school exchange student is set up to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Our Local Coordinators work closely with host schools and their administrators to:
- Provide detailed information about the student before arrival
- Confirm student placements
- Complete enrollment forms
- Discuss school policies
- Maintain an open line of communication
Combined with our robust programmatic oversight and emphasis on meaningful cultural exchange, these steps help students excel in the classroom, participate fully in extracurricular activities and events, and create a rewarding intercultural experience for students, host families, and the community.