Giving back through volunteering and community service is an important part of American culture. Over a quarter of Americans volunteer and take part in community service activities annually, giving back to their neighbors, fellow Americans, and people around the world.

When Sofia left Italy to spend a year in the United States, she knew she was about to begin an adventure. She felt the excitement so many exchange students describe—the anticipation of a new school, a new culture, and a new family she had only read about on paper.

Each year, thousands of exchange students from around the world patiently wait to hear that they have a host family in the USA ready to open their hearts and homes to them. When you host an exchange student, you have the opportunity to teach an excited young person what life is really like here in the USA. Our students have an eagerness to learn and soak in all they can while on their ten month program. For Noa from Spain, she shares why she always wanted to come to the USA, and all the things she’s learned from her host family so far.

When we travel, we not only open ourselves up to new cultures and ways of life, we also open ourselves up to new connections! This was the case for Local Coordinator Lee Lorenzen in Texas, who came to student exchange through a friend she made on a train in Italy. Little did she know then that the conversations on that train would lead to her not only becoming a host mom, but a part of a team whose mission is is to foster greater mutual understanding and to empower young people to grow through cultural exchange.

When faced with a decision, are you the type of person to analyze every option, weighing out pros and cons, or are you someone who jumps right into whatever feels right? Regardless of how you make the choice to host an exchange student, the outcome is often the same: a heartfelt connection is made between you and your exchange student that lasts long after they return home. For host mom Rica in Oklahoma, hosting was a quick decision that has led to giving her two young boys the older sister they never had!

Each year, thousands of exchange students around the world arrive to the USA to experience what life is really like here in America. Their American host families play an integral role in making their lifelong dreams come true, and helping them adjust to life in a new country and culture. For Anusha from Suriname, this could not be more true. Her host family has not only embraced her with open arms, but has been there every step of the way as she learns each day what it’s like to live like an American teenager.

At STS Foundation, our Regional Directors are the main drivers of our success. Their leadership and passion for cultural exchange is what empowers Local Coordinators, and connects host families and students around the world. Each has their own reason for stepping into the world of exchange, but a love for the program is what’s at the heart of it. Regional Director Karley in Kansas shares how she went from Local Coordinator to Regional Director, and everything she has learned along the way.

At STS Foundation, our host families come in all shapes and sizes. From empty nesters to families with a full house, there are so many wonderful connections made when you welcome an exchange student into your home. For the Ford family in Michigan, hosting was always in the back of their mind, but it wasn’t until this year that it felt like the right fit. With their teenage son now the only child in the home, they decided there was no better time to give him the gift of an international brother.

We always say that host parents make some of our best Local Coordinators, because they’ve experienced what it’s like to have an exchange student in their home and can guide first-time host families with compassion and support. Their excitement and enthusiasm for the program encourages those families who on the fence to say, “Let’s go for it!” This is exactly how host mom and Local Coordinator Stephanie Brown in Tennessee went from never having hosted before to now hosting and working with STS Foundation.

At STS Foundation, we are lucky to have an incredible team of Regional Directors who are dedicated to our mission of fostering greater mutual understanding and to empower young people to grow through cultural exchange. Together with their Local Coordinators, they create connections between American families and exchange students that last a lifetime. Like everyone who works in exchange, each Regional Director has their own story of how they came to be involved in this community. For Jamie Baldwin, and for many, it started first with a friend, then with an exchange daughter of her own. She shares her story to becoming a Regional Director, and how being part of the STS Foundation team has helped her grow.

Hosting is beneficial in a myriad of ways – not just for the exchange student- for you and your family too! Maybe you pass the same charming coffee shop every day and have never had an opportunity to stop in- until you take your exchange student there. Or maybe you have never thought to attend a concert featuring local bands, or art exhibits showcasing local talented neighbors- until you’re introducing your exchange student to your city!

You might think that hosting an exchange student is more than you can take on. Maybe you think you’re not adventurous enough, wealthy enough, or worldly enough. But you couldn’t be more mistaken! STS exchange students aren’t looking for a full-time tour guide, they are looking for a family. One to share daily life and holiday memories with. Check out our list below for things to do, see, and share with your exchange student that are not just fun but impactful for you and your family too!

If you’re a first-time host family, you may be nervous about welcoming an exchange student into your home. Sure, there are likely to be some awkward moments as you’re getting to know each other, but you’ll be surprised by how quickly you can bond with someone from a whole other country! New host mom Heather shares how in the short time her exchange student has been in her home, she already feels like family.

If you have ever hosted an exchange student, you may think to yourself, “I love my exchange student so much, I couldn’t possibly replace them and host again.” In reality, each time you host, you are giving yourself the gift of a new adventure! Sure, exchange students have a lot in common: their love for American culture, their curiosity and willingness to try new things, but each student is special in their own way, and each one will have their own beautiful journey with your family. Host mom Jana talks to us about how her first hosting experience helped bring her family out of their shell, and how those experiences will shape their time with their next exchange student!

Hosting an exchange student doesn’t just change the life of the student—it can transform your own kids, too. As they guide their new sibling through school routines, share family traditions, and navigate cultural differences together, your kids gain a deeper empathy and a broader view of what “family” can mean.

Each year, thousands of everyday American families open their hearts and homes to students from around the world, giving these teens the chance to see what life is really like here in the USA. From Friday night football games to family dinners, host families have so much to offer exchange students. In return, students share their own culture through food, conversation, holidays, and more! For the Balliett family in Indiana, they found that every day was an adventure hosting Abe from Palestine.

There’s just something about the Midwest, right? The people seem nicer somehow. More open, polite, willing to wave at neighbors driving by, and check for packages on your porch when you’re out of town.

But, really… Midwesterners are a special group. They naturally make great host families and here are our top ten reasons we love them!

Some opportunities present themselves and we think “I’m not sure this is the perfect time to take this on”. So, we don’t. But that pull to say yes doesn’t leave us. Reminders pop up over and over until we realize- there is no such thing as the perfect time- we can always manufacture reasons to not make the jump. But there is something incredibly powerful about saying yes right now!

If you’ve never hosted an exchange student before, hosting can seem like a daunting task. In reality, hosting is easier than you think! Hosting is about opening your heart and home up to someone from a different culture, and welcoming them into your family and day-to-day life. When you join the fun and welcome an exchange student into your home, you may even turn out like Host Mom Christina, who had such a great time hosting that she decided to host again!

Referring Families who Would Love the Transformative Experience of Cultural Exchange. You know exactly who I’m talking about, right? The neighbor who travels every summer and loves to tell you about their adventures, or your sister who is already great with your teenagers? There are so many great host families out there that would never know they are perfect for this, if someone didn’t tell them.

Each school year, thousands of American families take the leap and welcome an exchange student into their hearts and homes. While hosting can seem daunting, STS Foundation provides first-time host families with plenty of support through our Local Coordinators and materials to help you prepare for the journey. Some of our First-time host families share why they decided to host, how they’ve connected to their students even while they’re still across the ocean, and how they’re preparing for their arrival.

You don’t need a big house, a perfect routine, or a magazine-worthy guest room to be a great host. What really matters? A welcoming space, a willingness to share your everyday life, and an open heart to learning about other cultures.
Today, we’re busting some of the most common myths about hosting an exchange student—the ones that may be holding you back from saying yes to this life-changing experience. Let’s clear them up!

Imagine strengthening your community, enriching local schools, broadening your family’s horizons, and fostering international relations – all within just 10 months! You may not realize it, but your home and local community are a dream come true for an exchange student. Becoming a host family is a unique way of rediscovering your local community through the eyes of an exchange student for whom everything is new and exciting. Foreign exchange students are excited to share their food, language, and traditions with their host families, schoolmates, and everyone else they will meet along the way. Local Coordinator and Host Mom Jaime Moore shares stories from her hosting experiences, and how much she loves giving others the gift of exchange.

We know life can feel chaotic—between work, school, sports, and family dinners, it might seem impossible to add one more thing to your schedule. But if that “one more thing” is the chance to host an exchange student, it might be one of the most meaningful decisions your family ever makes.

When you join the thousands of American families who welcome exchange students into their hearts and homes each year, there’s a good chance you may end up also becoming a Local Coordinator! Once you see all the amazing things cultural exchange has to offer, it’s hard not to join in the fun and help make other students’ dreams come true. This is true for Carleta Currie, a Local Coordinator in northwest Arkansas who started her journey as a host mom and teacher. Through hosting and coordinating, Carleta has seen how amazing cultural exchange is for everyone involved.

Often when Americans think of exchange students, they picture a student from another country spending a semester or year at an American high school. This isn’t surprising, as the United States of America welcomes over 30,000 exchange students each year. What may surprise some is that American high school students also have the opportunity to be exchange students! In an increasingly interconnected world, the presence of American exchange students in international classrooms has become an invaluable asset for both students and high schools across the world.

High school exchange students bring fresh perspectives, cultural diversity, and new energy to their host communities. But beyond just learning about a new country, many students also take the opportunity to give back. One such student is Milena from Armenia, who completed an impressive 72 hours of community service during her first semester in the U.S. through the Helping Hands Community Service Project. In this interview, Milena shares her experiences, memorable moments, and the personal growth she has gained through volunteering.

When life doesn’t unfold as planned, it can sometimes lead us to the most unexpected and rewarding experiences. For one host father and his wife, the journey to hosting exchange students began with a longing for something they thought they couldn’t have. What started as a chance encounter with a student in need blossomed into a transformative experience that has shaped their lives and hearts in ways they never imagined. This is their heartfelt story of resilience, faith, and the profound connections formed through hosting exchange students.

When Trish first heard about the opportunity to host an international exchange student, it was her sister who sparked the idea. “My sister sent me information about hosting, and we talked about it and decided to do this journey together,” Trish shares. What followed was a whirlwind process that would become one of the best decisions of her life.

At STS Foundation, we know inviting a family to host an exchange student is an honor. To take on the task of welcoming a new person into your heart and home can be daunting, but it is also worth it. Host mom Elizabeth Walker in Washington State shares how, even though she was nervous about hosting, she’s had an incredible experience so far with her student from Turkiye.

When Flemming arrived in Rockport, Texas, from Germany as a high school exchange student, he knew he wanted to dive into the heart of American culture. He found his gateway through the game that many Texans consider a way of life: high school football. Now, as a student at Rockport-Fulton High School, Flemming has not only embraced the sport but excelled, recently earning the prestigious title of Kicker of the Year.

Local Coordinators come from all walks of life, and many of them have experience or connections to education outside of student exchange. This love for learning often leads them to join our mission in building cultural understanding, as was the case for Local Coordinator Lacey Bueche in Louisiana. She shares her personal story of going from school principal to host mom and Local Coordinator.

Incredible host families come in all shapes and sizes, including single parents! The bond that student and host family create through their time together shows all of us that there’s never one “perfect family,” but rather, there’s a family that is perfect to their student. For Karla from Spain, her perfect host family was host mom Debbie from Missouri. She shares how Debbie was the person she didn’t know her life was missing.

In an increasingly globalized world, the importance of cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship cannot be overstated. One of the most effective ways to cultivate these values is through high school student exchange programs. These programs, which allow students from around the world to live and study in the United States for one academic year, have far-reaching benefits for American families, communities, schools, and the nation as a whole. By fostering cultural exchange, these programs not only enrich the lives of the participants but also contribute to the broader educational landscape and social fabric of America.

When international students sign up to be part of the exchange experience, they sign up to experience life in a whole new way. Nearly everything will be different, the language, the geography, the food and the celebrations. And while that can be overwhelming and even scary, it is also thrilling! Belen from Spain shares her first reactions to finding out she’d be going from a big city to a rural village, and how now she wouldn’t change it for the world.

When you open your heart and home to an exchange student, you’re not only inviting them to share their culture with you. You are also allowing yourself to share your community and love with them! For all of us everyday Americans, it can be easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lives, to the point where we forget to stop and smell the roses. By welcoming an international teenager into your home, you get to see your neighborhood and area through their eyes. Suddenly things we take for granted are new and exciting, and we learn how much each one of us has to share with each other. This is what host mom Katie in Utah has learned as her family hosts Iñigo from Spain.

There are so many ways host families and schools welcome and lift up the thousands of exchange students each year. Simply by welcoming into their homes and hallways, they give students the gift of learning about a new culture and a new way of life. For Nayara from Spain, one of the ways she was made to feel welcome and loved was through soccer! She shares her experiences from joining the team, making new friends, and celebrating the people she met.

Like every one of the thousands of exchange students that arrive to the USA each year, Sri from India had expectations for her exchange experience. She thought about how she would grow as a person, what it would be like to be part of what life is really like here in America, and she hoped to meet people with whom she’d find lifelong connections. Since arriving to Maine, she has made the most of her time here. She shares what the experience has been like so far, and how it has shaped her as a person.

When you join STS Foundation’s dedicated team, you quickly see how being part of student exchange has an impact on all of us. From students to host families, schools to team members, we all have something to learn from each other. For National Director Joan Formoso, her dedication to exchange has spanned decades, but she finds herself learning new things and finding more reasons to love exchange with each year. Here’s her story.

When you host an exchange student, you sign up for a year of first times and new traditions. Those are the moments that end up taking up the most space in your heart! While each “first” is fun and exciting, some really stand out, like when you have a student who’s experiencing snow for the first time! For the Ward family in Tennessee, it was just as much of a surprise for them as it was for their exchange students, Ismail from Nigeria and Youssef from Morocco. Both boys share their wonder and amazement at experiencing winter weather for the first time ever.

STS Foundation President, Gwen McNallan, and other representatives from various cultural exchange programs met with the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) this past week to discover ways the DOE can provide their support and encouragement to engage more American schools to welcome cultural exchange students. The meeting with Bernadine Futrell, Ph.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Discretionary Grants & Support Services, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) was a positive first step in this collaborative endeavor.

When you join the thousands of American families that host high school exchange students, you open yourself up to seeing your life and community in new ways. One of the many gifts hosting an exchange student gives families is the opportunity to mix things up! These students bring their own perspective, interests, and customs, and they’re just as eager to share them with you as they are to learn about your own. Host Dad Jason from Texas shares how his exchange student has helped change his family’s routine, and how it’s seeing the joy in his student’s face that means the most.

In the heart of American communities, there lies a profound impact that exchange students bring through their dedication to volunteering and community service. One such exemplary student is Dana from Kazakhstan whose commitment to making a positive change in her host community serves as an inspiration.

At STS Foundation, we are proud to welcome the next generation of global citizens. To be an exchange student, it takes a special kind of young person to leave their home country and live in a foreign culture. Luckily, they have an amazing support system of host families, schools, and STS Foundation Local Coordinators waiting to welcome them. But living in a new country can be an adjustment, one that helps students to grow and mature throughout their time in the USA. Alba from Spain shares how her journey has been so far, and how she’s learned to embrace the experience.

Each year, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education encourage exchange students to participate in International Education Week (IEW). This is a week-long celebration that helps promote exchange in communities around the country and prepare Americans for a global environment. Ismail from Nigeria, a YES Scholarship student placed in Tennessee, embraced the challenge and did five presentations around his school and community! Here’s his IEW story.

International Education Week (IEW), a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to foster global understanding and engagement. Each year, STS Foundation students proudly participate in IEW, showcasing the diversity and richness of cultures through their exchange experience. Let’s delve into the stories of Ismail from Nigeria, Adam from Egypt, and Irana from Turkmenistan, who made significant contributions to the success of International Education Week.

Our Local Coordinators come from all walks of life, but each one provides support, understanding, and passion for the program. Whether they have hosted before, or in Nicoletta’s case, been exchange students, they have a love for exchange that they love to share with those around them. Years after spending time abroad learning English, Nicoletta has returned to the world of exchange and shares her love for our American families and international students.

Cultural exchange is a term that often conjures images of sending your child off to another country while you welcome an exchange student from another country into your home. While this perception is indeed a valid form of cultural exchange, it is essential to understand that cultural exchange does not require sending your child abroad. In this blog post, we’ll explore the true meaning of cultural exchange and how it can be experienced right within the comfort of your home.

Each school year, thousands of everyday American families welcome exchange students into their hearts and homes. While our host families come in all different shapes and sizes, and they each have their own reasons for participating, one thing remains the same: the impact hosting has not only on their students, but their families and communities as well. Jodi and her husband have hosted students for a number of years, and today she shares their hosting story.

Each year, our dedicated Local Coordinators share their love for student exchange with the families and schools in their communities, and together they make our students’ dreams come true. Our team is there to provide support and guidance, but they quickly realize there is so much to learn too! Jennie, one of our passionate Local Coordinators, shares the things she’s learned through her years of working in exchange.

Each year, exchange students arrive to the USA, ready to jump right into life at American high schools. Whether they’re trying something new or continuing a passion, they can’t wait to make new friends and be part of their school community. For Inigo from Spain, he found a new way to enjoy his love of music. As a musician back in Spain, he had plenty of experience playing the saxophone. But upon arriving to the USA, he found a new way to play with his high school marching band. He shares how he prepared for his exchange year, and how his first few weeks in the USA have been.

Each year, over 20,000 American families open their doors to exchange students, and each family has their own “why.” When you open your heart and home to a young person, you may be thinking about all the things you have to give them – a second family, a chance to live life as a typical American teenager, new experiences. But you’ll soon learn that you also have so much to gain. Host mom Bobbi shares how hosting over the years has given her family the gift of a new culture and an international family.

When you become one of the thousands of families that host an exchange student each year, you may wonder, “Why isn’t everybody doing this?” For host dad Mike Carroll, it was that feeling that led him to join STS Foundation as a Local Coordinator, where he has gone on to give other families in his community the gift of a new culture and perspective. He shares his experiences both as a host and a Local Coordinator, and how it’s much more than culture that is exchanged when you welcome a young person into your community.

In a world filled with technological advancements and instant connectivity, it’s easy to forget the power of simple, genuine human connections. The heartwarming stories of Melinda Krause and Claudia Werner Grassy remind us that true friendship can transcend time, distance, and cultural barriers. Their tale of a summer exchange program in the mid-1980s has not only shaped their lives but has also extended its legacy to the next generation.

Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone, explore new horizons, and make unforgettable memories? Embarking on a high school exchange year is a thrilling adventure that promises personal growth, cultural immersion, and lifelong friendships. As you gear up for this transformative experience, let’s delve into the key aspects of preparation, including a unique suggestion that can significantly enhance your journey – having your family host an exchange student.

Did you know that 66% of US households own a pet? For many exchange students, this is one of many cultural differences they encounter during their time spent in America. In some cultures, pets are very uncommon, and some students may even have fears of sharing their home with a furry friend. But with time and treats, exchange students and pets usually become fast friends, and students end up trying to find a way to sneak their host pet into their luggage when they return home.

When you decide to welcome an exchange student into your heart and home, you may not know what to expect. Each journey and relationship is different, but each one is filled with learning, love, and memories that will last a lifetime. And sometimes students and host families don’t realize just how much of an impact their experiences together have had on them until years have passed. STS Foundation has been bringing American families and international students together since 1986, and we love seeing the long-term, global impact exchange has on us all.

Every year, families across the USA welcome over 20,000 high school exchange students from all corners of the globe. The appeal of the USA as a destination for young learners is undeniable. From its world-class education system and diverse cultural landscape to its vibrant communities and vast extracurricular opportunities, there are numerous reasons why the USA remains the number one choice of destination for high school exchange students.

Becoming a host family is a remarkable opportunity to open your doors, hearts, and minds to a new culture. Welcoming an exchange student into your home can be an enriching experience for both your family and the student. However, as a first-time host family, it’s natural to have questions about what to expect. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the journey and highlight key aspects you can anticipate when hosting a high school exchange student.

When young people say “Yes!” to the exchange experience, they’re saying “Yes!” to learning a new way of life, and that can be both exciting and scary. Vuk, a Future Leaders Exchange scholarship student from Serbia, took the leap and found he had a lot to learn about the world around him. He talks about how his year in the USA changed his perspective on the world.

In this blog post, we share with you the transformative impact of international exchange students and the importance for American high schools to partner with organizations like STS Foundation to welcome these students into their classrooms.

No matter your hosting story, it can be said that you learn a lot while also teaching you exchange student many things as well. Host mom Jill shares how hosting again years after her first time was a new experience, and all the things her family learned from having an international young person in her home.

STS Foundation host families come in all different shapes and sizes, each one offering loving homes and unique experiences to exchange students from around the world. Whether you have a house full of kids or are empty nesters, everyone becomes a special kind of parent – a host parent – when they say yes to welcoming a young person into their hearts and homes. Host dad Jeff Jones shares how hosting has allowed him to have experiences as a dad he might not otherwise have had.

Each year, over 30,000 American families make the decision to welcome exchange students into their hearts and homes for 5 to 10 months. While each family has their own story of how they joined the exchange community, they all have had unforgettable moments with their exchange students that have changed their lives forever. Host mom Heather shares her hosting story!

When you become a host family for an exchange student, you invite the world into your home and community. You also provide a life-changing experience not only for your student, but for you and your family as well. By helping a young cultural ambassador experience life in the USA, you get a front-row seat to watch them grow, and to learn about another country and culture. The Winkles family in Texas has made a tradition of hosting exchange students for years now, and each student they’ve hosted has become part of their family. Host mom Laura shares how they first got started, and things she’s taken from hosting year after year.

Each year, high school exchange students around the world prepare for their exchange year in America by attending orientations before leaving their home countries. At these events, students prepare for immersing themselves in a new culture and review the rules of the program. This year, members of the STS Foundation team were invited to join these events to share their perspectives on life in the USA and what to expect as an exchange student.

Each year, American Councils for International Education hosts the Workshop for Youth Leaders in English Teaching (WYLET) for select exchange students taking part in the FLEX and YES scholarship programs. WYLET builds on the U.S. experience through an intensive, week-long training program for aspiring English language teachers in Washington, DC. Participating students also develop and practice important leadership skills such as public speaking, team-building, and goal-setting. Participants are expected to organize or participate in teaching English upon returning to their home communities.

Each year, STS Foundation Local Coordinators all around the USA help foster and grow cultural exchange in their communities. They build lifelong friendships around the world while working with students, high schools, and families who open their hearts and homes to new cultures. Karley Ailin joined the STS Foundation team in Missouri and treasures the connections she’s made with her students and host families! Karley shares her story and how much she’s learned in her role as Local Coordinator with STS Foundation.

After being accepted onto the program and preparing for her exchange experience, Elena crossed the Atlantic to join her host family in Indiana. Over the last 8 months, she has had the opportunity to pursue her interests and try new hobbies, all while exploring life in America. Elena shares with us what her experience of life as an American teenager has been like so far.

In the United States, February is Black History Month. All around the country, schools and communities take this month to remember and celebrate important people and events in Black American history. Sali, an exchange student from Palestine, joined her school’s Black Student Union to learn more about Black American History and to take part in her school’s Black History Month events! Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

For the past five months, Vlada has been a remarkable member of the Troutdale community in Oregon where she is spending her high school exchange year. Vlada is an exchange student from Estonia who discovered the American spirit of volunteerism and gave back to the community that welcomes her by participating in the Helping Hands Community Service Project with STS Foundation.

Carlos is a high school student from Spain who came to the USA as an exchange student with STS Foundation. After going through a rigorous application process and months of preparation, Carlos finally hopped on a plane in August 2022 to fly across the Atlantic and meet his host family in Louisiana. Over the last 7 months, Carlos’ host family and friends have been showing him the American way of life and shares with us his experience.

During his exchange year, Denys has been an active member of the community where he is spending his high school exchange year. Denys is an exchange student from Turkey who offered up his passions and talents to give back to the community that welcomes him by participating in the Helping Hands Community Service Project with STS Foundation. The bulk of Denys’s volunteering took place at his local library, as well as the town’s history museum. Here is what he shares about his volunteering experience.

Each year, exchange students set goals for their exchange year. Whether it’s wanting to try new things, grow as a person, or learn new skills, we love seeing them work hard and reach their goals. For Paula from Spain, the goal was to break records. With a passion for swimming, Paula was excited when she found out her high school had a swim team and that she would have the chance to participate. She shares her achievements both in and out of the pool during her exchange year.

Giving back through volunteering and community service is an important part of American culture. Over a quarter of Americans volunteer and take part in community service activities annually, giving back to their neighbors, fellow Americans, and people around the world.

When Sofia left Italy to spend a year in the United States, she knew she was about to begin an adventure. She felt the excitement so many exchange students describe—the anticipation of a new school, a new culture, and a new family she had only read about on paper.

Each year, thousands of exchange students from around the world patiently wait to hear that they have a host family in the USA ready to open their hearts and homes to them. When you host an exchange student, you have the opportunity to teach an excited young person what life is really like here in the USA. Our students have an eagerness to learn and soak in all they can while on their ten month program. For Noa from Spain, she shares why she always wanted to come to the USA, and all the things she’s learned from her host family so far.

When we travel, we not only open ourselves up to new cultures and ways of life, we also open ourselves up to new connections! This was the case for Local Coordinator Lee Lorenzen in Texas, who came to student exchange through a friend she made on a train in Italy. Little did she know then that the conversations on that train would lead to her not only becoming a host mom, but a part of a team whose mission is is to foster greater mutual understanding and to empower young people to grow through cultural exchange.

When faced with a decision, are you the type of person to analyze every option, weighing out pros and cons, or are you someone who jumps right into whatever feels right? Regardless of how you make the choice to host an exchange student, the outcome is often the same: a heartfelt connection is made between you and your exchange student that lasts long after they return home. For host mom Rica in Oklahoma, hosting was a quick decision that has led to giving her two young boys the older sister they never had!

Each year, thousands of exchange students around the world arrive to the USA to experience what life is really like here in America. Their American host families play an integral role in making their lifelong dreams come true, and helping them adjust to life in a new country and culture. For Anusha from Suriname, this could not be more true. Her host family has not only embraced her with open arms, but has been there every step of the way as she learns each day what it’s like to live like an American teenager.

At STS Foundation, our Regional Directors are the main drivers of our success. Their leadership and passion for cultural exchange is what empowers Local Coordinators, and connects host families and students around the world. Each has their own reason for stepping into the world of exchange, but a love for the program is what’s at the heart of it. Regional Director Karley in Kansas shares how she went from Local Coordinator to Regional Director, and everything she has learned along the way.

At STS Foundation, our host families come in all shapes and sizes. From empty nesters to families with a full house, there are so many wonderful connections made when you welcome an exchange student into your home. For the Ford family in Michigan, hosting was always in the back of their mind, but it wasn’t until this year that it felt like the right fit. With their teenage son now the only child in the home, they decided there was no better time to give him the gift of an international brother.

We always say that host parents make some of our best Local Coordinators, because they’ve experienced what it’s like to have an exchange student in their home and can guide first-time host families with compassion and support. Their excitement and enthusiasm for the program encourages those families who on the fence to say, “Let’s go for it!” This is exactly how host mom and Local Coordinator Stephanie Brown in Tennessee went from never having hosted before to now hosting and working with STS Foundation.

At STS Foundation, we are lucky to have an incredible team of Regional Directors who are dedicated to our mission of fostering greater mutual understanding and to empower young people to grow through cultural exchange. Together with their Local Coordinators, they create connections between American families and exchange students that last a lifetime. Like everyone who works in exchange, each Regional Director has their own story of how they came to be involved in this community. For Jamie Baldwin, and for many, it started first with a friend, then with an exchange daughter of her own. She shares her story to becoming a Regional Director, and how being part of the STS Foundation team has helped her grow.

Hosting is beneficial in a myriad of ways – not just for the exchange student- for you and your family too! Maybe you pass the same charming coffee shop every day and have never had an opportunity to stop in- until you take your exchange student there. Or maybe you have never thought to attend a concert featuring local bands, or art exhibits showcasing local talented neighbors- until you’re introducing your exchange student to your city!

You might think that hosting an exchange student is more than you can take on. Maybe you think you’re not adventurous enough, wealthy enough, or worldly enough. But you couldn’t be more mistaken! STS exchange students aren’t looking for a full-time tour guide, they are looking for a family. One to share daily life and holiday memories with. Check out our list below for things to do, see, and share with your exchange student that are not just fun but impactful for you and your family too!

If you’re a first-time host family, you may be nervous about welcoming an exchange student into your home. Sure, there are likely to be some awkward moments as you’re getting to know each other, but you’ll be surprised by how quickly you can bond with someone from a whole other country! New host mom Heather shares how in the short time her exchange student has been in her home, she already feels like family.

If you have ever hosted an exchange student, you may think to yourself, “I love my exchange student so much, I couldn’t possibly replace them and host again.” In reality, each time you host, you are giving yourself the gift of a new adventure! Sure, exchange students have a lot in common: their love for American culture, their curiosity and willingness to try new things, but each student is special in their own way, and each one will have their own beautiful journey with your family. Host mom Jana talks to us about how her first hosting experience helped bring her family out of their shell, and how those experiences will shape their time with their next exchange student!

Hosting an exchange student doesn’t just change the life of the student—it can transform your own kids, too. As they guide their new sibling through school routines, share family traditions, and navigate cultural differences together, your kids gain a deeper empathy and a broader view of what “family” can mean.

Each year, thousands of everyday American families open their hearts and homes to students from around the world, giving these teens the chance to see what life is really like here in the USA. From Friday night football games to family dinners, host families have so much to offer exchange students. In return, students share their own culture through food, conversation, holidays, and more! For the Balliett family in Indiana, they found that every day was an adventure hosting Abe from Palestine.

There’s just something about the Midwest, right? The people seem nicer somehow. More open, polite, willing to wave at neighbors driving by, and check for packages on your porch when you’re out of town.

But, really… Midwesterners are a special group. They naturally make great host families and here are our top ten reasons we love them!

Some opportunities present themselves and we think “I’m not sure this is the perfect time to take this on”. So, we don’t. But that pull to say yes doesn’t leave us. Reminders pop up over and over until we realize- there is no such thing as the perfect time- we can always manufacture reasons to not make the jump. But there is something incredibly powerful about saying yes right now!

If you’ve never hosted an exchange student before, hosting can seem like a daunting task. In reality, hosting is easier than you think! Hosting is about opening your heart and home up to someone from a different culture, and welcoming them into your family and day-to-day life. When you join the fun and welcome an exchange student into your home, you may even turn out like Host Mom Christina, who had such a great time hosting that she decided to host again!

Referring Families who Would Love the Transformative Experience of Cultural Exchange. You know exactly who I’m talking about, right? The neighbor who travels every summer and loves to tell you about their adventures, or your sister who is already great with your teenagers? There are so many great host families out there that would never know they are perfect for this, if someone didn’t tell them.

Each school year, thousands of American families take the leap and welcome an exchange student into their hearts and homes. While hosting can seem daunting, STS Foundation provides first-time host families with plenty of support through our Local Coordinators and materials to help you prepare for the journey. Some of our First-time host families share why they decided to host, how they’ve connected to their students even while they’re still across the ocean, and how they’re preparing for their arrival.

You don’t need a big house, a perfect routine, or a magazine-worthy guest room to be a great host. What really matters? A welcoming space, a willingness to share your everyday life, and an open heart to learning about other cultures.
Today, we’re busting some of the most common myths about hosting an exchange student—the ones that may be holding you back from saying yes to this life-changing experience. Let’s clear them up!

Imagine strengthening your community, enriching local schools, broadening your family’s horizons, and fostering international relations – all within just 10 months! You may not realize it, but your home and local community are a dream come true for an exchange student. Becoming a host family is a unique way of rediscovering your local community through the eyes of an exchange student for whom everything is new and exciting. Foreign exchange students are excited to share their food, language, and traditions with their host families, schoolmates, and everyone else they will meet along the way. Local Coordinator and Host Mom Jaime Moore shares stories from her hosting experiences, and how much she loves giving others the gift of exchange.

We know life can feel chaotic—between work, school, sports, and family dinners, it might seem impossible to add one more thing to your schedule. But if that “one more thing” is the chance to host an exchange student, it might be one of the most meaningful decisions your family ever makes.

When you join the thousands of American families who welcome exchange students into their hearts and homes each year, there’s a good chance you may end up also becoming a Local Coordinator! Once you see all the amazing things cultural exchange has to offer, it’s hard not to join in the fun and help make other students’ dreams come true. This is true for Carleta Currie, a Local Coordinator in northwest Arkansas who started her journey as a host mom and teacher. Through hosting and coordinating, Carleta has seen how amazing cultural exchange is for everyone involved.

Often when Americans think of exchange students, they picture a student from another country spending a semester or year at an American high school. This isn’t surprising, as the United States of America welcomes over 30,000 exchange students each year. What may surprise some is that American high school students also have the opportunity to be exchange students! In an increasingly interconnected world, the presence of American exchange students in international classrooms has become an invaluable asset for both students and high schools across the world.

High school exchange students bring fresh perspectives, cultural diversity, and new energy to their host communities. But beyond just learning about a new country, many students also take the opportunity to give back. One such student is Milena from Armenia, who completed an impressive 72 hours of community service during her first semester in the U.S. through the Helping Hands Community Service Project. In this interview, Milena shares her experiences, memorable moments, and the personal growth she has gained through volunteering.

When life doesn’t unfold as planned, it can sometimes lead us to the most unexpected and rewarding experiences. For one host father and his wife, the journey to hosting exchange students began with a longing for something they thought they couldn’t have. What started as a chance encounter with a student in need blossomed into a transformative experience that has shaped their lives and hearts in ways they never imagined. This is their heartfelt story of resilience, faith, and the profound connections formed through hosting exchange students.

When Trish first heard about the opportunity to host an international exchange student, it was her sister who sparked the idea. “My sister sent me information about hosting, and we talked about it and decided to do this journey together,” Trish shares. What followed was a whirlwind process that would become one of the best decisions of her life.

At STS Foundation, we know inviting a family to host an exchange student is an honor. To take on the task of welcoming a new person into your heart and home can be daunting, but it is also worth it. Host mom Elizabeth Walker in Washington State shares how, even though she was nervous about hosting, she’s had an incredible experience so far with her student from Turkiye.

When Flemming arrived in Rockport, Texas, from Germany as a high school exchange student, he knew he wanted to dive into the heart of American culture. He found his gateway through the game that many Texans consider a way of life: high school football. Now, as a student at Rockport-Fulton High School, Flemming has not only embraced the sport but excelled, recently earning the prestigious title of Kicker of the Year.

Local Coordinators come from all walks of life, and many of them have experience or connections to education outside of student exchange. This love for learning often leads them to join our mission in building cultural understanding, as was the case for Local Coordinator Lacey Bueche in Louisiana. She shares her personal story of going from school principal to host mom and Local Coordinator.

Incredible host families come in all shapes and sizes, including single parents! The bond that student and host family create through their time together shows all of us that there’s never one “perfect family,” but rather, there’s a family that is perfect to their student. For Karla from Spain, her perfect host family was host mom Debbie from Missouri. She shares how Debbie was the person she didn’t know her life was missing.

In an increasingly globalized world, the importance of cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship cannot be overstated. One of the most effective ways to cultivate these values is through high school student exchange programs. These programs, which allow students from around the world to live and study in the United States for one academic year, have far-reaching benefits for American families, communities, schools, and the nation as a whole. By fostering cultural exchange, these programs not only enrich the lives of the participants but also contribute to the broader educational landscape and social fabric of America.

When international students sign up to be part of the exchange experience, they sign up to experience life in a whole new way. Nearly everything will be different, the language, the geography, the food and the celebrations. And while that can be overwhelming and even scary, it is also thrilling! Belen from Spain shares her first reactions to finding out she’d be going from a big city to a rural village, and how now she wouldn’t change it for the world.

When you open your heart and home to an exchange student, you’re not only inviting them to share their culture with you. You are also allowing yourself to share your community and love with them! For all of us everyday Americans, it can be easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lives, to the point where we forget to stop and smell the roses. By welcoming an international teenager into your home, you get to see your neighborhood and area through their eyes. Suddenly things we take for granted are new and exciting, and we learn how much each one of us has to share with each other. This is what host mom Katie in Utah has learned as her family hosts Iñigo from Spain.

There are so many ways host families and schools welcome and lift up the thousands of exchange students each year. Simply by welcoming into their homes and hallways, they give students the gift of learning about a new culture and a new way of life. For Nayara from Spain, one of the ways she was made to feel welcome and loved was through soccer! She shares her experiences from joining the team, making new friends, and celebrating the people she met.

Like every one of the thousands of exchange students that arrive to the USA each year, Sri from India had expectations for her exchange experience. She thought about how she would grow as a person, what it would be like to be part of what life is really like here in America, and she hoped to meet people with whom she’d find lifelong connections. Since arriving to Maine, she has made the most of her time here. She shares what the experience has been like so far, and how it has shaped her as a person.

When you join STS Foundation’s dedicated team, you quickly see how being part of student exchange has an impact on all of us. From students to host families, schools to team members, we all have something to learn from each other. For National Director Joan Formoso, her dedication to exchange has spanned decades, but she finds herself learning new things and finding more reasons to love exchange with each year. Here’s her story.

When you host an exchange student, you sign up for a year of first times and new traditions. Those are the moments that end up taking up the most space in your heart! While each “first” is fun and exciting, some really stand out, like when you have a student who’s experiencing snow for the first time! For the Ward family in Tennessee, it was just as much of a surprise for them as it was for their exchange students, Ismail from Nigeria and Youssef from Morocco. Both boys share their wonder and amazement at experiencing winter weather for the first time ever.

STS Foundation President, Gwen McNallan, and other representatives from various cultural exchange programs met with the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) this past week to discover ways the DOE can provide their support and encouragement to engage more American schools to welcome cultural exchange students. The meeting with Bernadine Futrell, Ph.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Discretionary Grants & Support Services, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) was a positive first step in this collaborative endeavor.

When you join the thousands of American families that host high school exchange students, you open yourself up to seeing your life and community in new ways. One of the many gifts hosting an exchange student gives families is the opportunity to mix things up! These students bring their own perspective, interests, and customs, and they’re just as eager to share them with you as they are to learn about your own. Host Dad Jason from Texas shares how his exchange student has helped change his family’s routine, and how it’s seeing the joy in his student’s face that means the most.

In the heart of American communities, there lies a profound impact that exchange students bring through their dedication to volunteering and community service. One such exemplary student is Dana from Kazakhstan whose commitment to making a positive change in her host community serves as an inspiration.

At STS Foundation, we are proud to welcome the next generation of global citizens. To be an exchange student, it takes a special kind of young person to leave their home country and live in a foreign culture. Luckily, they have an amazing support system of host families, schools, and STS Foundation Local Coordinators waiting to welcome them. But living in a new country can be an adjustment, one that helps students to grow and mature throughout their time in the USA. Alba from Spain shares how her journey has been so far, and how she’s learned to embrace the experience.

Each year, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education encourage exchange students to participate in International Education Week (IEW). This is a week-long celebration that helps promote exchange in communities around the country and prepare Americans for a global environment. Ismail from Nigeria, a YES Scholarship student placed in Tennessee, embraced the challenge and did five presentations around his school and community! Here’s his IEW story.

International Education Week (IEW), a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to foster global understanding and engagement. Each year, STS Foundation students proudly participate in IEW, showcasing the diversity and richness of cultures through their exchange experience. Let’s delve into the stories of Ismail from Nigeria, Adam from Egypt, and Irana from Turkmenistan, who made significant contributions to the success of International Education Week.

Our Local Coordinators come from all walks of life, but each one provides support, understanding, and passion for the program. Whether they have hosted before, or in Nicoletta’s case, been exchange students, they have a love for exchange that they love to share with those around them. Years after spending time abroad learning English, Nicoletta has returned to the world of exchange and shares her love for our American families and international students.

Cultural exchange is a term that often conjures images of sending your child off to another country while you welcome an exchange student from another country into your home. While this perception is indeed a valid form of cultural exchange, it is essential to understand that cultural exchange does not require sending your child abroad. In this blog post, we’ll explore the true meaning of cultural exchange and how it can be experienced right within the comfort of your home.

Each school year, thousands of everyday American families welcome exchange students into their hearts and homes. While our host families come in all different shapes and sizes, and they each have their own reasons for participating, one thing remains the same: the impact hosting has not only on their students, but their families and communities as well. Jodi and her husband have hosted students for a number of years, and today she shares their hosting story.

Each year, our dedicated Local Coordinators share their love for student exchange with the families and schools in their communities, and together they make our students’ dreams come true. Our team is there to provide support and guidance, but they quickly realize there is so much to learn too! Jennie, one of our passionate Local Coordinators, shares the things she’s learned through her years of working in exchange.

Each year, exchange students arrive to the USA, ready to jump right into life at American high schools. Whether they’re trying something new or continuing a passion, they can’t wait to make new friends and be part of their school community. For Inigo from Spain, he found a new way to enjoy his love of music. As a musician back in Spain, he had plenty of experience playing the saxophone. But upon arriving to the USA, he found a new way to play with his high school marching band. He shares how he prepared for his exchange year, and how his first few weeks in the USA have been.

Each year, over 20,000 American families open their doors to exchange students, and each family has their own “why.” When you open your heart and home to a young person, you may be thinking about all the things you have to give them – a second family, a chance to live life as a typical American teenager, new experiences. But you’ll soon learn that you also have so much to gain. Host mom Bobbi shares how hosting over the years has given her family the gift of a new culture and an international family.

When you become one of the thousands of families that host an exchange student each year, you may wonder, “Why isn’t everybody doing this?” For host dad Mike Carroll, it was that feeling that led him to join STS Foundation as a Local Coordinator, where he has gone on to give other families in his community the gift of a new culture and perspective. He shares his experiences both as a host and a Local Coordinator, and how it’s much more than culture that is exchanged when you welcome a young person into your community.

In a world filled with technological advancements and instant connectivity, it’s easy to forget the power of simple, genuine human connections. The heartwarming stories of Melinda Krause and Claudia Werner Grassy remind us that true friendship can transcend time, distance, and cultural barriers. Their tale of a summer exchange program in the mid-1980s has not only shaped their lives but has also extended its legacy to the next generation.

Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone, explore new horizons, and make unforgettable memories? Embarking on a high school exchange year is a thrilling adventure that promises personal growth, cultural immersion, and lifelong friendships. As you gear up for this transformative experience, let’s delve into the key aspects of preparation, including a unique suggestion that can significantly enhance your journey – having your family host an exchange student.

Did you know that 66% of US households own a pet? For many exchange students, this is one of many cultural differences they encounter during their time spent in America. In some cultures, pets are very uncommon, and some students may even have fears of sharing their home with a furry friend. But with time and treats, exchange students and pets usually become fast friends, and students end up trying to find a way to sneak their host pet into their luggage when they return home.

When you decide to welcome an exchange student into your heart and home, you may not know what to expect. Each journey and relationship is different, but each one is filled with learning, love, and memories that will last a lifetime. And sometimes students and host families don’t realize just how much of an impact their experiences together have had on them until years have passed. STS Foundation has been bringing American families and international students together since 1986, and we love seeing the long-term, global impact exchange has on us all.

Every year, families across the USA welcome over 20,000 high school exchange students from all corners of the globe. The appeal of the USA as a destination for young learners is undeniable. From its world-class education system and diverse cultural landscape to its vibrant communities and vast extracurricular opportunities, there are numerous reasons why the USA remains the number one choice of destination for high school exchange students.

Becoming a host family is a remarkable opportunity to open your doors, hearts, and minds to a new culture. Welcoming an exchange student into your home can be an enriching experience for both your family and the student. However, as a first-time host family, it’s natural to have questions about what to expect. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the journey and highlight key aspects you can anticipate when hosting a high school exchange student.

When young people say “Yes!” to the exchange experience, they’re saying “Yes!” to learning a new way of life, and that can be both exciting and scary. Vuk, a Future Leaders Exchange scholarship student from Serbia, took the leap and found he had a lot to learn about the world around him. He talks about how his year in the USA changed his perspective on the world.

In this blog post, we share with you the transformative impact of international exchange students and the importance for American high schools to partner with organizations like STS Foundation to welcome these students into their classrooms.

No matter your hosting story, it can be said that you learn a lot while also teaching you exchange student many things as well. Host mom Jill shares how hosting again years after her first time was a new experience, and all the things her family learned from having an international young person in her home.

STS Foundation host families come in all different shapes and sizes, each one offering loving homes and unique experiences to exchange students from around the world. Whether you have a house full of kids or are empty nesters, everyone becomes a special kind of parent – a host parent – when they say yes to welcoming a young person into their hearts and homes. Host dad Jeff Jones shares how hosting has allowed him to have experiences as a dad he might not otherwise have had.

Each year, over 30,000 American families make the decision to welcome exchange students into their hearts and homes for 5 to 10 months. While each family has their own story of how they joined the exchange community, they all have had unforgettable moments with their exchange students that have changed their lives forever. Host mom Heather shares her hosting story!

When you become a host family for an exchange student, you invite the world into your home and community. You also provide a life-changing experience not only for your student, but for you and your family as well. By helping a young cultural ambassador experience life in the USA, you get a front-row seat to watch them grow, and to learn about another country and culture. The Winkles family in Texas has made a tradition of hosting exchange students for years now, and each student they’ve hosted has become part of their family. Host mom Laura shares how they first got started, and things she’s taken from hosting year after year.

Each year, high school exchange students around the world prepare for their exchange year in America by attending orientations before leaving their home countries. At these events, students prepare for immersing themselves in a new culture and review the rules of the program. This year, members of the STS Foundation team were invited to join these events to share their perspectives on life in the USA and what to expect as an exchange student.

Each year, American Councils for International Education hosts the Workshop for Youth Leaders in English Teaching (WYLET) for select exchange students taking part in the FLEX and YES scholarship programs. WYLET builds on the U.S. experience through an intensive, week-long training program for aspiring English language teachers in Washington, DC. Participating students also develop and practice important leadership skills such as public speaking, team-building, and goal-setting. Participants are expected to organize or participate in teaching English upon returning to their home communities.

Each year, STS Foundation Local Coordinators all around the USA help foster and grow cultural exchange in their communities. They build lifelong friendships around the world while working with students, high schools, and families who open their hearts and homes to new cultures. Karley Ailin joined the STS Foundation team in Missouri and treasures the connections she’s made with her students and host families! Karley shares her story and how much she’s learned in her role as Local Coordinator with STS Foundation.

After being accepted onto the program and preparing for her exchange experience, Elena crossed the Atlantic to join her host family in Indiana. Over the last 8 months, she has had the opportunity to pursue her interests and try new hobbies, all while exploring life in America. Elena shares with us what her experience of life as an American teenager has been like so far.

In the United States, February is Black History Month. All around the country, schools and communities take this month to remember and celebrate important people and events in Black American history. Sali, an exchange student from Palestine, joined her school’s Black Student Union to learn more about Black American History and to take part in her school’s Black History Month events! Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

For the past five months, Vlada has been a remarkable member of the Troutdale community in Oregon where she is spending her high school exchange year. Vlada is an exchange student from Estonia who discovered the American spirit of volunteerism and gave back to the community that welcomes her by participating in the Helping Hands Community Service Project with STS Foundation.

Carlos is a high school student from Spain who came to the USA as an exchange student with STS Foundation. After going through a rigorous application process and months of preparation, Carlos finally hopped on a plane in August 2022 to fly across the Atlantic and meet his host family in Louisiana. Over the last 7 months, Carlos’ host family and friends have been showing him the American way of life and shares with us his experience.

During his exchange year, Denys has been an active member of the community where he is spending his high school exchange year. Denys is an exchange student from Turkey who offered up his passions and talents to give back to the community that welcomes him by participating in the Helping Hands Community Service Project with STS Foundation. The bulk of Denys’s volunteering took place at his local library, as well as the town’s history museum. Here is what he shares about his volunteering experience.

Each year, exchange students set goals for their exchange year. Whether it’s wanting to try new things, grow as a person, or learn new skills, we love seeing them work hard and reach their goals. For Paula from Spain, the goal was to break records. With a passion for swimming, Paula was excited when she found out her high school had a swim team and that she would have the chance to participate. She shares her achievements both in and out of the pool during her exchange year.