Resources for BridgeUSA Host Families
Bookmark this page for easy access to helpful materials throughout your participation in the CIEE BridgeUSA High School program.
As part of CIEE’s Gold Standard Service, we’ll update this page with more resources that host families are seeking.
Blogs
Can You Host an Exchange Student Without Kids at Home?
Parenting experience isn’t what makes someone a great host. Being willing to welcome a student into your life is.
5 Questions with an LC | 'I Just Have a Heart for These Kids'
Meet Sophie Grimes, a CIEE BridgeUSA local coordinator based in Portland, Oregon.
5 Questions with an LC | Bringing Global Connections to Spokane
Meet Kristen Labrie, a CIEE BridgeUSA local coordinator based in Washington state. She’s also a fifth-grade teacher.
What is a BridgeUSA Host Family?
Our CIEE host families are just as diverse as our international students. If you have a full house, or you're a single parent, or you’re even empty nesters, there’s a student interested in living with a family arrangement like yours.
Pre-Arrival Information
- Host Family Expenses: See how you could get a tax deduction for hosting – or even get reimbursed if your student is part of a grant program.
- Host Family Orientation: Gain a better understanding of what’s expected of both your family and your student.
- Local Coordinators: Get to know CIEE’s facilitators in your area.
- Student Program Rules: Familiarize yourself with the dos and don’ts for students during their program.
Support for Student Arrival and Beyond
- Culture Shock Workbook: Take a look at the exercises you can do with your student during your adjustment period.
- Health Insurance: Discover more about what your student’s insurance covers during their stay.
- FAQs: Get answers to common questions host families have.
- Stay on top of your student’s required community service hours:
Your BridgeUSA CIEE Support Team
Host families that have questions, concerns, or issues during their student’s stay should contact CIEE.
- CIEE Support Team
- Between 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST Monday - Friday, call 1-800-448-9944. For after-hours emergencies, call the same number, but follow the prompts for the emergency line.
- For general support, email support@ciee.org.
- CIEE Insurance/Medical Attention
- For emergencies, call 1-888-268-6245.
- For general questions, email insurance@ciee.org.
Have other questions? Learn more on our Host Families FAQ page.