5 Reasons Why Hosting an International Exchange Student Can Change Your Life

Maybe you’ve heard your child has an international exchange student in their class.  

Then you saw a host dad explaining American football to his student in the bleachers. 

And later, someone in your book club was talking about how simple the process was to host a teen, and they’ve planned a video chat with the student the next day. 

So you start to wonder: Why are people hosting these exchange students in their homes? How can it benefit my family? 

Luckily, there’s more than just one reason to invite an international teen to spend a school year with you. And we’ve got five of them here: 

Reason 1: Bring Culture to Your Community 

If you haven’t been able to travel as much as you’d like, why not experience a different culture in your own home? 

• Have a Brazilian student stay with you because you’ve always wanted to visit Rio de Janeiro and could hear about it firsthand.
• Invite a Chinese student who grew up on a farm to your home, so you can bond over your love of gardening.
• Host an Italian student if it’s where your great-grandparents emigrated from to bring some of the lost language into your home. 

Friends and community members are sure to want to learn from your student, as well. 

Reason 2: Gain Another Perspective 

If you’ve always been surrounded by people who go to the same church as you or your town's residents aren't the most diverse, it can be hard to understand where others outside of your area are coming from. 

But you can change that by inviting difference into your home. 

Learn the significance of Ramadan by hosting a Moroccan student. Find out why Scandinavia is so desirable from a Swedish student. Get firsthand insight to war through a Ukrainian teen. 

By developing more knowledge about one region of the world, it could open your eyes to others’ lives around the globe and leave you wanting more. 

Reason 3: Add Spice to Your Life – Literally 

As you plan out your family meals, consider what your student might like in their food to incorporate a taste of home.  

Maybe your Pakistani student would find it thoughtful that you picked up garam masala to make samosas. Or your South Korean guest wants to help whip up some kimchi and asks for gochugaru to add to it. 

You’ll get to discover a variety of flavors you’ve never been introduced to – by giving your American meals an extra kick or adding new dishes to your recipe box. 

Reason 4: ‘Adopt’ a Family Member 

If you’ve always wanted a bigger family, signing up to be a host for an international student is a great way to join one. You’ll get to show your student exactly what it’s like to be part of an American family. 

Introduce your teen to a traditional American Thanksgiving and how it's important to be thankful for your lives. Bring them to barbecues to introduce them to your friends. Take road trips over long weekends. 

Plus, since you’ll have the responsibility of caring for someone else’s child during this time, you’re sure to bond with your student’s family, too. 

Reason 5: Shake Things Up 

Life getting monotonous? From empty nesters to childless couples – and everyone in between – inviting a student from another country into your home could be just what you need to change your everyday life. 

• See how your Singaporean student reacts to snow, and if they’re a fan, take ski lessons together at the local mountain.
• Put on your favorite music streaming platform and introduce your student from Afghanistan to a wide variety of music. You might gain a concert buddy!
• Take your Jordanian student blueberry picking, since the fruit doesn’t grow as well in the Middle East. And then introduce them to the oh-so-American blueberry pie à la mode. 

Whether you find hobbies you both want to take up or see the joy in introducing your student to United States traditions, you’ll be sure to not have a dull moment with a new member of your household. 

Get Info on Hosting a Student 

If you’re considering hosting an international student, learn more about how to become a host family today.