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5 reasons to host an exchange student with YFU

An exchange student's host family is one of the most important parts of the study abroad experience. Whether you're hosting for a semester or a full year, a great host family provides guidance, love, acceptance, support and friendship to a student who may be away from home for the first time. It doesn't matter if you have children, whether you're single, an empty nester or a same-sex couple; anyone can be a host family. You can live anywhere — an apartment in the city, a house in the burbs or even a farm.

Here are five reasons why you should consider becoming a host family.

  • You'll discover a new culture while sharing your own and broaden your horizons as you bring another culture into your home. The world will seem smaller, while making your own world bigger.
  • You and your family will gain a new appreciation for your life, customs and ways while sharing them with a new family member. All of a sudden, movie night with the family or shopping at the mall becomes an event as you see it through the eyes of someone who has never experienced it.
  • You and your children will learn lessons about acceptance and global unity and develop the understanding that, despite the fact that you live on opposite sides of the world, speak different languages and have different ways, people are basically the same.
  • You'll make lifelong friendships. Very shortly, you'll come to view your exchange student as a member of your family. Most of our host families report staying in touch with their student for a lifetime.
  • You won't be alone in your efforts. YFU staff are available to support your family and student 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Opening your home to a student from another country will benefit you and your family, and the student, in ways you never thought possible.

Over the last 65+ years, YFU has exchanged more than 270,000 American and international students and is one of the oldest and largest non-profit international exchange organizations in the world.

YFU has remained a trusted leader of intercultural exchange programs since 1951 because of its commitment to safety, reputation for quality, and exceptional support services.