Welcome!

International High School Exchange is a great way to learn about other cultures. This group provides you with the opportunity to hear from current exchange students and host families and to receive more information about hosting an exchange student.

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in hosting an exchange student.  Our students are between 16-18 years old, come from a variety of countries around the world and are interested in many different activities including: skiing, baseball, soccer, volleyball, hiking/camping, basketball,
scouts, youth groups, art, dance, music, reading, math/science, choir, band, drawing and painting.

Without host families this program would not be possible. Host families only need to provide a bed for the student and meals at home; all other expenses are the student's responsibility. In addition, students can share a room with a host sibling of the same sex and similar age. Host families can be two parent families with kids at home, single parents with kids at home, couples without kids at home (including “empty nesters”/retirees) and in unique circumstances, single parents without kids at home. In our experience, exchange students make great mentors to younger children so you don’t have to have teens at home to host!

Host Families are required to provide the following when hosting an exchange student:

- A bed for the student and a quiet place to study
- 3 meals at home
- A loving, caring environment for the student
- Transportation to and from after school activities on occasion

Other Host Family Requirements:

- All family members over 18 must pass a background check*
- Must be stable emotionally and financially (no needs-based government subsidies for food/housing)
- Be willing to provide love, guidance and an American experience

Students arrive with the following:

- Ability to speak English at a high school level
- Complete Health Insurance
- Spending money for personal items, e.g. school supplies, clothes, long distance phone calls, hygiene items, extra-curricular activities, extra snacks
- Open mind about their American experience
- Enthusiasm to share their culture
- Maturity and good character and have demonstrated good academic skills

Exchange students generate a positive influence on your family, school, and community. We need great families like yours who are willing to open their homes and their hearts to one of our amazing international teens. So, help us to help them achieve their American Dream!
Come join the Meetup- have fun, explore other languages & cultures, and do something worthwhile!

*An in-home interview and reference checks will also be conducted as part of the host family screening process