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Last fall, a small town in Iowa gained a new soccer fan named Vicente, and it gave an entire community a new perspective. Vicente, an exchange student from Chile, excelled at school, opened his classmates’ eyes to a world beyond the U.S., joined the town’s club soccer team, and spent weekends playing local shows with his host dad’s band.
Every year, hundreds of high school exchange students just like Vicente arrive in the United States from all over the world, each bringing a unique story, perspective, and skillset that leaves a lasting impact on their local communities. Behind every student’s success, though, there needs to be an exchange student host family willing to open their doors and hearts.
In this guide, we’ll explore the incredible impact that exchange students can have on their communities. We’ll also explain how you can get involved and what it means to become an AYUSA host family. Whether you're already considering hosting or just curious about the experience, you’ll see how one brave "yes" can make a world of difference.
At AYUSA, we connect the most enthusiastic, talented international students with dedicated, caring host families across the United States. For over 40 years, we’ve forged long-lasting, meaningful connections between exchange students and their host families, creating a ripple effect of positive change that impacts schools and local communities.
Read on to learn more about becoming an AYUSA exchange student host family, or make a difference today by starting your hosting application.
Why Hosting an Exchange Student Is a Community Investment
When you welcome an exchange student into your home, you're doing a lot more than setting an extra place at the dinner table. The decision to host a student sparks a chain reaction of positive change that touches your family, your neighborhood, your schools, and beyond. Here’s how opening your home can open doors for your community, too.
Building Bridges Across Cultures
In today’s world, being able to connect across cultures is more valuable than ever. When you host an exchange student, you're helping build those bridges right in your hometown. Suddenly, classmates, teachers, teammates, and neighbors have the chance to learn about a new country, hear a different language, and experience traditions they might never have encountered otherwise.
Simple things, like celebrating a holiday from another culture or swapping favorite family recipes, can open minds and spark curiosity. These everyday exchanges help people realize that while we may come from different corners of the globe, we share so much in common. Hosting helps tear down stereotypes and replace them with real human connections.
And those connections don't end when the academic year in America is over. Many host families and students stay in touch for years, creating lasting international friendships that make the world feel a little bit smaller, and a lot more welcoming!
Creating Inclusive, Welcoming Communities
When one family chooses to host a foreign exchange student, it often inspires others around them to be more open and inclusive, too. Schools become more global in their outlook. Sports teams, clubs, and community groups start to celebrate diversity in new ways. Local businesses and neighbors may even get curious about how they can support or get involved.
Over time, hosting helps create a culture where differences aren’t just tolerated, they're celebrated. It sends a message that everyone, no matter where they come from, belongs. Communities that embrace exchange students often find they’re better prepared to thrive in an increasingly connected world. Young people grow up with a broader worldview, adults are reminded of the power of hospitality, and the community becomes stronger, more resilient, and more vibrant.
How Do AYUSA Exchange Students Benefit Their Communities?
When an AYUSA exchange student arrives in a new town, they bring energy, perspective, and a whole lot of positive impact. These students don't just adapt to American life; they actively enrich it. Here’s a closer look at how AYUSA students leave a lasting mark on their host communities.
Educational Benefits for the Local Community
AYUSA exchange students help turn classrooms into global learning hubs. Whether it's through a school presentation about their home country or casual conversations with classmates, they offer real-world insights that you just can’t get from textbooks.
Teachers often find that having an international student in class sparks more curiosity, more questions, and more meaningful discussions about global issues. Local students gain a broader understanding of the world, and they develop important skills like empathy, open-mindedness, and cultural awareness—all traits that are essential for success in today’s interconnected world.
Job Creation in Local Communities
It might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but international student exchange actually supports local economies, including through job creation. Organizations like AYUSA employ local Community Representatives (CRs) to help place students with families, support students during their stay, and work with schools to ensure a successful experience.
This network of professionals creates opportunities for part-time and full-time jobs in towns and cities across the country. Plus, the need for services, from school supplies and transportation to extracurricular activities and events, can boost small businesses and local industries.
In fact, recent research from NAFSA indicates that international exchange students in the U.S. contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and 378,000 local jobs during the 2023-2024 academic year. This data includes college students, who make up the bulk of the students studying internationally in the U.S., but high school exchange students certainly contribute to these figures, too!
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Social and Cultural Growth for Everyone
High schoolers in exchange student programs bring fresh perspectives, new traditions, and a healthy dose of adventure into their communities. As a host family, you might find yourself trying new foods, attending cultural festivals, or learning a few words in a new language, all thanks to the influence of your new family member!
This social and cultural exchange helps strengthen the fabric of the community. People become more open to diversity, more curious about the world beyond their borders, and more willing to step outside their comfort zones. It’s easy to focus on our differences, but the simple act of sharing experiences and building friendships across cultures helps us realize we have more in common than we may realize.
Washington-based nonprofit Global Ties U.S. found that exchange programs increase global knowledge and cultural competence. In their survey, 82% of respondents reported that exchanges humanize global affairs and inspire curiosity about the world, and 72% said that they have gained skills or experiences that make them better able to contribute to their local communities.
Economic and Civic Contributions
Exchange students are also active contributors to their communities. Many choose to volunteer with local charities, participate in civic events, and get involved in school activities like sports, music, and clubs. Some even take part in community service projects as part of their program requirements.
These contributions may seem small individually (spending a few hours at a food bank, helping to clean up a beach, or participating in a local fundraiser), but collectively, they add up to a real impact. Being a host family for an international student with AYUSA means gaining a young, enthusiastic community member who’s ready to give back and get involved.
Lasting Relationships and Global Connections
One of the most beautiful impacts of hosting a high school exchange student is the relationships that form. Host families often stay in touch with their students long after the exchange year ends, visiting each other’s countries, celebrating milestones together, and maintaining close bonds across borders.
Beyond personal friendships, these connections weave a powerful global network. When American communities build ties with students who study abroad in the USA from around the world, they contribute to a more peaceful, connected, and understanding global society. And it all starts with a simple choice to open your door, just like the O’Brien family in Missouri did:
“Our involvement with Ayusa has changed our lives. So has Marie, so has her family. What an amazing experience it has been, one that will continue for a lifetime, forever tying our hearts and our worlds together. Marie is our daughter – rounding our family to a six pack with two boys and two girls (plus Mom and Dad, of course). We can’t wait to see what other journeys the rest of our time together will send our way.”
How to Host an AYUSA Exchange Student
If you're feeling inspired to host an international student, you might be wondering what it actually takes to get started. Good news: hosting with AYUSA is a simple, supportive process, and we embrace host families of all different shapes and sizes!
Whether you're an active family with kids at home, a retired couple, or a single person ready for an adventure, what matters most is your willingness to share your life, offer support, and be open to the journey. Here’s what you need to know if you're ready to take the next step.
What Makes a Good Host Family?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s the beauty of it. You certainly don't need a mansion or a passport full of exotic travel destinations. You just need to provide:
- A safe and welcoming home environment
- A willingness to treat the student like a member of your family
- Three meals a day
- A place to sleep and study
- An open mind and interest in learning about their culture
- Guidance, encouragement, and patience as they navigate a new culture
Most importantly, successful host families are flexible and ready to embrace the small everyday moments, from cheering at a soccer game to explaining how microwaves work (yes, really). It’s often these little things that build strong bonds and lasting memories.
AYUSA Eligibility Criteria
AYUSA works hard to make sure that every student is placed with a host family that’s safe, supportive, and ready for the experience. Here’s a quick overview of the basic eligibility requirements for becoming an AYUSA host family in the USA:
- You must be at least 25 years old
- You must pass a criminal background check
- You must be financially stable enough to support the student’s basic needs (students bring their own spending money for personal expenses)
- You must provide a caring home environment and a clean, comfortable place to stay
- You should be willing to involve the student in family activities and everyday life
If you meet these criteria and have an open heart and mind, you’re already well on your way to becoming a successful exchange student host family!
The AYUSA Application Process for Host Families
We make the process as smooth as possible, and provide in-person support to help you navigate the application and answer your questions about hosting international students. Here’s an overview of how to apply to host an AYUSA student:
- Complete an application: You’ll start by filling out a detailed application where you’ll share information about your household, lifestyle, interests, and family dynamic so we can help connect you with a student that’s right for you.
- Background checks and interviews: All adult members of your household will need to complete background checks. You’ll also have an in-home interview with a local AYUSA CR who will answer your questions and explain the program in detail.
- Student matching: Based on your application and preferences, AYUSA will present you with student profiles. You’ll get to learn about their interests, personalities, and hopes for their exchange year. When you find a student who feels like a great fit, it’s time to say yes!
From the first hello at the airport to the bittersweet goodbyes at the end of the year (and everything in between), you’ll be supported by AYUSA every step of the way.
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Being an Exchange Student Host Family Also Benefits You!
When people think about the benefits of studying abroad, they usually focus on how it helps the exchange student. What often surprises new host families is just how much they grow, learn, and benefit from the experience, too.
Hosting an exchange student gives you a new perspective, allows you to create unforgettable memories, and helps you build bonds that stretch across the globe. In many ways, your life can be transformed just as much as the student’s. Here’s how hosting can have a big, beautiful impact on you and your family.
Why Our Host Families Love Hosting
Ask any AYUSA host family, and they'll tell you that hosting adds a whole new layer of joy, excitement, and meaning to your everyday life. For example, the Struble family in Nevada loves every moment they spend with their AYUSA exchange student:
“Julia is a great example of a mature Ayusa exchange student who is adaptable, has bonded with her host family, and is making the most of her year in the USA. We are so thankful for the Ayusa experience and for the special moments we continue to share with her.”
The Benedict family agrees. For the Benedicts, what started as a short-term hosting opportunity has grown into a passion for student cultural exchange that has shaped their family forever. Over the years, they’ve welcomed students from Japan, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, creating lifelong bonds and unforgettable memories.
From sharing holiday traditions like Thanksgiving and Christmas light displays to embracing everyday life together, the Benedicts have built a global family that spans continents. Their advice? “You’re not hosting a guest—you’re gaining a family member. It’s the little moments that mean the most!”
Benefits for Host Siblings
If you have children at home, hosting a foreign exchange student can bring even more benefits. Host siblings often form some of the deepest, most meaningful bonds during the experience. Many stay in touch with their exchange siblings for years, visiting each other, celebrating milestones, and staying connected across the globe.
For host siblings, the experience often means learning cultural understanding early. They grow up seeing the world through a wider lens, appreciating different perspectives and traditions from a young age. Helping a new “brother” or “sister” settle in also teaches responsibility, empathy, and the ability to solve problems together.
How to Help Your Exchange Student Make a Difference in the Community
One of the best parts of hosting an exchange student is seeing how they light up your community in their own unique way. As part of a student exchange program, you have a special opportunity to help your student get involved, build connections, and leave a positive mark on your town or city. Here are a few simple ways you can support them as they become a meaningful part of your community.
Involve Your Exchange Student in Local Events
The quickest way for an exchange student to feel like they truly belong? Get them involved in the fun and heart of your community life! Think about events like:
- Local fairs and festivals
- School sports games and activities
- Holiday celebrations (think pumpkin carving, Fourth of July parades, or winter light festivals)
- Farmers markets, art shows, and town concerts
Even small-town traditions, like a Friday night football game or a neighborhood barbecue, can feel exciting and memorable to someone experiencing it for the first time. Plus, it gives your student the chance to meet new people, practice their English, and experience authentic American culture firsthand throughout their study abroad program.
Encourage Community Service and Volunteering Activities
Many AYUSA students are excited to give back during their exchange year in the USA, and volunteering is a great way for students to feel connected and useful. You can help your student find opportunities like:
- Volunteering at food banks, animal shelters, or local charities
- Helping out at school events, clean-up days, or library programs
- Assisting with community fundraisers or awareness campaigns
Volunteering helps them meet new people, practice important life skills, and understand the power of civic engagement. They'll return home knowing they truly made a difference during their time in the U.S.
Help Your Student Showcase Their Culture
While your exchange student is learning about American traditions, your community can also learn from them! Encourage your student to share their culture through:
- School presentations about their home country
- Cooking a traditional meal for friends, neighbors, or a classroom
- Participating in international nights, cultural fairs, or heritage festivals
- Teaching a simple lesson in their native language at a library or youth center
When study exchange students are given the chance to share their backgrounds, it builds their confidence and enriches everyone around them. It’s a fun, powerful way to break down stereotypes, build global understanding, and celebrate the beauty of different cultures.
Make an Impact: Become an AYUSA Exchange Student Host Family!
Opening your home to an exchange student is an incredible opportunity to spark real, lasting change in your community and family. When you become an AYUSA host family, you’re welcoming new perspectives, traditions, friendships, and adventures that will stay with you for a lifetime.
You’ll help build a more connected, compassionate world, starting right at your own kitchen table! You’ll watch your community grow stronger, more welcoming, and more vibrant. And along the way, you’ll create memories and relationships that stretch far beyond a single school year.
See how one student can change your world—start your AYUSA hosting application today!
