Host Family to High School Exchange Student

Be a Host Family to a High School Exchange Student

ETC offers inbound program opportunities for high‑school students worldwide to study in an American high school and live with a local family. The association with the U.S. Department of State provides homes for J‑1 visa students, ranging in age from 14 to 18, who are eager to experience American culture.

What does being a host family entail?

• Ensure a safe and nurturing home environment for the student
• Provide the student with a private room (shared with a sibling of similar age is acceptable) and a bed
• Offer three meals per day
• Transport the student to and from school and for extracurricular activities
• Give love, support, and encouragement throughout their stay
• Explore cultural differences and similarities, sharing your family’s traditions and learning theirs
• Accept families with or without children for a flexible hosting experience

What are the students like?

• Bring their own spending money and health insurance
• Have good English skills, having been selected through a rigorous screening process
• Are excited to meet their American family and share their culture

Why should we become a host family? Hosting an exchange student lets you learn a new culture through food, music, and language, share your own culture, add a new member to your household, and provide a student with an American education and a lifetime of memories.

See how host families thrive on the ETC Host Family Video.