Have you ever wondered if YOU would make a great host family? Here's a little guide to help you find out... Do you have a spare bed, even if it's just the top bunk? Can you pull up an extra chair at the dinner table? Do you genuinely like meeting new people? Are you...

The Lee family may live in a small Midwestern town, but their family extends far beyond the borders of Dexter, MN. After adopting their daughter Karina from Colombia, Eric and Sara had always considered hosting an exchange student.  That dream became a reality 6 years...

Imagine: your family has decided to host an exchange student! (Exciting, right?!) As the idea becomes more concrete, you begin daydreaming about the possibilities!  You eagerly jump on the student finder  and start to scroll through applicants. Your eyes quickly...

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This week as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let's take a moment to reflect on one of his most enduring principles: serving...

It's a new year! This is the time for new beginnings! For big plans, fresh starts, and maybe even a do-over or two. It means re-evaluating what was, and making plans for what SHOULD be - and, with a little intention - what WILL be! I LOVE the "life cycle," if you...

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or administrator, you can play a roll in developing international awareness in your school! (And Exchange Students can help!) [perfectpullquote align="full" cite="" link="" color="" class="" size=""] Youth Exchange provides schools...

We hear it time and again: "Hosting has given our family so much!" This Christmas season we're celebrating the lifelong journey enjoyed by BOTH exchange students and host families alike! Enjoy these heart-warming stories as they once again show that we are far more...

The holidays should be "merry and bright," but for many exchange students this time of year can be a real struggle. This year, try getting a little goofy to stay ahead of holiday homesickness! Don't worry, it's normal! The truth is, exchange students tend to follow a...

We talked to Roy Rolin, a 52 year old U.S. Air Force veteran. Roy and his wife Emily have hosted 10 exchange students in the last 9 years! “They’ve all been very different in their own way,” says Rolin, “and it’s given us a unique experience every time.” (Pictured...

Dear Host Family, Please be patient.  I’m from another culture, so I don’t always know how to behave here.  I’m still learning English, so I don’t always know what you’re saying.   I’m a teenager, so I don’t always make the best choices – even if I really think I’m...

An exchange student has been invited to have some fun on Halloween: but is it a cultural norm or a dangerous pitfall? Exchange students might find themselves struggling to navigate peer expectations, but you can help! Discuss some common teen activities and talk about...

Autumn in America can be a magical time for an exchange student, bringing ample opportunities to experience American-born traditions! Halloween, corn mazes, football games, pumpkin pie, hayrides, you name it! Whether you're new to the U.S. or simply looking through...

Many families assume the best time to host a student is when they have at least one teenage child in the home. "We'll think about hosting when our kids are older." But, truth be told, many families enjoy the "older sibling" dynamic that comes with hosting a student...

It's been several years since exchange student Mareike ventured from Germany to the U.S., but the memories she made with her one-of-a-kind host grandmother still tug at her heart every day. Is hosting just boarding a student for a year? Far from it. The family ties...

Hosting an exchange student is a true EXPERIENCE that is second-to-none! With that experience comes a rich, dynamic relationship, not a boring status-quo. So what can a host family do to truly engage and enjoy this adventure to the fullest? We love some of the wisdom...

Culture shock is a real, physical and psychological phenomenon - but what IS it? By understanding its patterns, exchange students and host families are so much better equipped to cope! Cultural adjustment typically follows these patterns: [perfectpullquote...

Each summer, IE sends a select group of American teens and host siblings to Germany for three weeks. As a short-term cultural experience (with no language requirement!), the German Immersion Program is a fantastic way to further the goal of cultural connection and...

They're HERE!!! (Now what?!) Your student has been planning this exchange for months (if not years!) and NOW, at long last, it has finally arrived! And while some students will "take off running" with friends and activities, most will need a little help finding their...

In addition to the simple FUN of hosting, student exchange serves a far bigger purpose. These passionate students, who are so eager to experience our heritage and to share their own, can be good medicine for a world torn by terror. In recent weeks, all eyes have...

What does hosting an exchange student REALLY look like? You might be surprised to find that IE students don't need a lot of possessions, excursions, or special treatment. What DO they need? They need YOU! A warm, supportive "home away from home." A place where they...