Want to Host an Exchange Student? Become a Host Family Today!
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Want to Be a Host Family But Not Sure How?
Welcoming an exchange student into your home can feel meaningful, but it also raises real concerns. Families often wonder what will be expected of them, how much time and cost is involved, and what happens if something does not go as planned. Many worry about safety, communication, cultural differences, or whether they are the right fit at all. Even families who love the idea of cultural exchange hesitate because they do not want to feel unprepared or unsupported.
With United Studies, there’s a better way.
United Studies Gives You Support the Whole Way
United Studies removes the uncertainty by preparing, matching, and supporting host families every step of the way. We clearly explain expectations, carefully screen students, and stay involved throughout the experience. Our local coordinators and support team are always available, so families are never left to figure things out alone. Hosting becomes a rewarding experience built on trust, care, and real connection.
For over 40 years we’ve helped families host exchange students. Our thousands of successful placements are proof you can trust United Studies to help build your immersive and rewarding experience.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Explore Our International Exchange Programs
Ready to help bring cultural exchange to the United States? Explore our hosting options, from short term visits to full school year placements, and find the program that fits you best.
U.S. High School Immersion
Want to help a foreign student experience American high school? This immersive program allows students to attend a U.S. high school while living with a caring host family. Daily school life, family routines, and community activities come together to create real cultural exchange. Students build confidence, improve language skills, and experience what it truly feels like to be a U.S. high school student.
U.S. Homestay Program
Our homestay programs are designed to help visitors live like locals and experience everyday American life. By sharing meals, routines, and conversations with your family, participants build strong language immersion and cultural understanding naturally. Program lengths vary from short term stays to longer exchanges, making it easy to choose a timeline that fits your goals and comfort level.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Ready for Your Cultural Exchange?
Here’s How to Get Started
United Studies makes it simple, safe, and easy to experience real language immersion and cultural exchange programs. Whether you want to host an exchange student, visit the U.S., or hire international talent on a work visa, we guide you through the same steps:
01
Apply
Every program starts with our quick application. We’ll review and see if you’re a good fit for our international student exchange programs.
02
Approve Your Placement
Our programs place students with the right families and employers. We only move forward when we find a great match that fits everyone’s goals.
03
Enjoy Cultural Exchange
Everyone receives a rewarding foreign immersion experience that’s backed by full support from our extensive local coordination team.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Foreign Exchange Host Family Frequently Asked Questions
It all starts with submitting your application! Once your cultural exchange application with us is approved, we will help you pick your student and begin the preparation for their arrival!
Being a host family with United Studies is simply about creating a loving and supportive home away from home for an exchange student. While we don’t place many demands on host families and every exchange experience is different, we do require that host families provide the following for their exchange student:
– Provide an open and welcoming home for a student from another country
– Treat the exchange student as a valued member of the family
– Provide an exchange student with meals at home
– Help provide transportation as needed for their exchange student
– Provide support and encouragement to their exchange student as they adapt to their new surroundings
All host families of J-1 exchange students are volunteers in the United Studies program. In keeping with the diplomacy goals of cultural exchange programs, the U.S. Department of State prohibits the compensation of host families for J-1 exchange students. However, there is a tax deduction for the host family for each full month that your student is with you.
Host families of F-1 exchange students will receive a monthly stipend.
United Studies exchange students arrive with their own personal spending money to pay for school related activities and personal needs like clothing and going out with friends. Host families are expected to pay for essential costs such as providing meals, travel to school and events, increased utility costs, etc.
United Studies requires that students have a good grasp on the English language both verbal and written. Our minimum ELTiS score is 220. This ensures your family and others can communicate with your exchange visitor.
Choosing between homestay experiences can feel overwhelming. United Studies helps you compare the available student exchange program paths based on your goals, timeline, and comfort level. You do not have to decide alone, guidance is part of the process.
Your Local Coordinator will work with you and your student to try to resolve any miscommunications, unrealistic expectations or cultural misunderstandings that may appear during their time with you. Most of the time, misunderstandings can be resolved with the help of an objective mediator. If the Local Coordinator determines that an issue cannot be resolved, they will place the student with another host family (within the same school district when possible).
Just as there is no “typical” American family, there is no “typical” host family. We welcome all types of families, including families with young children, high school children, grown children, or no children. Host families can be single parents, couples living together, married couples or single individuals. All of our host families have the same goal: to experience a new culture, develop a lasting relationship with a new son or daughter, and foster international understanding with hopes that they can contribute to world peace for a better tomorrow. We especially seek host families who:
– can provide a warm, welcoming home to an exchange student
– are excited to make memories that last a lifetime
– have a genuine interest in learning about a new culture are flexible and open-minded
– want to share the American culture with an exchange student
– want to make a young person from another country a part of their family
We carefully screen every applicant and only accept exceptional students that will flourish during an exchange program. Unlike other organizations, you get to pick the student who will stay with you. You also get a dedicated local coordinator who is available to provide 24/7 support through the whole program.
United Studies works with partner organizations in various countries who recruit and screen top high school students each year. The students are selected based on their academic abilities and are tested for English proficiency. All students attend an orientation in their home country before coming to the United States. The orientation provides them with a basic knowledge of the United States along with program policies.
No, all exchange students with United Studies come with their own health insurance plans and do not need to be covered under their host families insurance.
Absolutely! As long as the activities are deemed safe, exchange students are encouraged to join sports, clubs and local community organizations to enhance their experience while living in America.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Stories From Our Host Families
Students, host families, coordinators, and employers all rave about our language immersion and cultural exchange programs. Read about it from our friends, communities, and successful placements:
The Complete Free Guide to Host Family Costs in 2026
Many families want to host foreign exchange students but worry about costs. They aren’t sure what’s expected of them and what their financial responsibilities will be. Our free guide to host family costs explains:
- Exactly what host families are responsible for
- What categories of expense host families can expect
- How you could get paid to host an exchange student
Ready to make your dream of bringing immersive cultural exchange from the world to your home a reality? Download our free guide today!
