Host Family to High School Exchange Student

Be a Host Family to a High School Exchange Student

Education Travel & Culture (ETC) offers inbound and outbound programs that allow high‑school students from around the world to study in an American high school and live with an American family. ETC partners with the U.S. Department of State to place students on J‑1 visas, providing a unique cultural exchange experience for both students and host families.

• Ensure a safe and nurturing home environment for the student
• Provide the student with a room and his/her own bed (room may be shared with a similarly aged host sibling)
• Serve 3 meals per day
• Transport the student to and from school and extracurricular activities
• Give love and support to the student
• Explore cultural differences and similarities
• Families with or without children are accepted

• Bring their own spending money and health insurance
• Have good English skills
• Are highly screened for the program
• Excited to meet their American family
• Learn a new culture by tasting new foods, listening to new music, and speaking a new language
• Share their culture with an exchange student
• Add another member to their family
• Help an exchange student receive an American education and a lifetime experience

Still not totally convinced? See what the Rogers Family (former host family) has to say about their experience: “Our exchange student has been such a blessing in our lives. We had no idea we were missing anything until she came into our lives. Having a host daughter has made us laugh harder than we ever have before. It’s been so special to see my kids love her, bond with her, and my daughter’s closest confidant in a time of her life.

She has become not just a daughter to me, but my friend.”

Watch our video to learn more