Hosting Opportunities
long term and short term

There are many different companies and non-profit organizations that provide exchange programs to students and just as many that offer families the opportunity to host an exchange student. Exchange students are usually between 15-18 years old and attend high school during their exchange. However, some exchange students are between 18 and 21 years old an attend college, vocational education or participate in a volunteer program while abroad. Some exchange students don’t attend school at all during their exchange, because these short term (a couple of weeks) programs don’t aim for an academic focus, but aim for exchange students to explore and get an insight into the culture of their host country.

Long-term host family for an exchange student

Long term hosting generally means that you host an exchange student for one school year, which is approximately 10 months. The beauty of long term hosting is to see your exchange son or daughter truly develop and becoming part of your family, community,  school class and sports club. While the first months are focused around adjusting and settling in for the exchange student, the second semester focuses on enjoying the progress of learning the language, building a social network, and feeling truly at home with the host family.

Short-term host family for an exchange student

Short term hosting can have a duration of a couple of days to a semester. The opportunities for short term hosting vary. Some exchange
programs have a duration of just a couple of weeks. However, during a long term exchange a situation may occur in which short term or
temporary hosting is required. Sometimes an arrival family welcomes the student at the airport and hosts an exchange student until the final administrative processes with the permanent family is finalized. Sometimes a host family and their exchange son or daughter benefit from a few days apart and a sleepover is suggested.

Host an exchange student with YFU

One of the non-profit organizations that offers both long term and short term hosting opportunities is Youth For Understanding (YFU). YFU advances intercultural understanding, mutual respect and social responsibility through educational exchanges for youth, families and communities.

The global YFU network, consisting of more than 55 different countries is united by the belief that curiosity about the world expands cultural awareness and acceptance of other ways to live, which leads to broader perspective and greater understanding. YFU has remained a trusted leader of intercultural exchange programs since 1951 because of its commitment to safety, reputation for quality, and exceptional support services. YFU has exchanged more than 260,000 YFU students since 1951 with more than 4,000 students participating in an exchange each year.


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