Host Family to High School Exchange Student

Be a Host Family to a High School Exchange Student

Education Travel & Culture (ETC) provides inbound program opportunities for high‑school students to study in an American high school and live with an American family. ETC’s outbound program offers students the chance to study and live abroad. Our organization’s first goal is to provide exceptional support for both students and host families through a network of local coordinators and dedicated office staff.

We work with the U.S. Department of State to secure homes for high‑school foreign exchange students arriving in the USA on a J‑1 visa. Students come from a variety of countries; 14‑18 years old; and are highly screened for the program.

• Ensure a safe and nurturing home environment for the student
• Provide a room (may be shared with a similarly aged host sibling) and their own bed
• Serve 3 meals per day
• Arrange transportation to and from school and for extracurricular activities
• Offer love, support, and cultural exchange
• Explore cultural differences and similarities together
• Families with or without children are accepted

• Bring their own spending money and health insurance
• Have good English language skills
• Are highly screened for the program
• Excited to meet their American family
• Will share their culture and learn about ours, adding another member to the family experience

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 have her as a close 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: