What is required of a host family?

Host families provide the student with room and board, and are expected to treat their student as a member of a family, not as a guest. Students cover their own travel costs, health insurance, school expenses, cell phone, and spending money. EF and the U.S. Department of State also designate certain requirements of all host families. For example, host parents should be at least 25 years of age or older, pass a background check and have a stable and suitable household. Let us know if you are interested and we will help you determine if your family meets our program requirements!

Does EF place students with single people, same-sex couples, retirees, empty nesters or families without school aged children?

Yes! There is no 'typical' host family. Our families represent the diversity of American culture, and we encourage families of all shapes and sizes to host. Some families have young or teenage children, while others may be empty-nesters or newlyweds. We've had single people, same-sex couples, and grandparents all be wonderful hosts.

Are host families paid?

Host families are not paid. According the U.S. Department of State, host families cannot receive financial gain from their participation in a student exchange program. This rule is designed to ensure that host families are participating in the program for the right reasons. However, in recognition of their role as citizen ambassadors, host families may be eligible to receive a charitable tax deduction on their tax return.

Where do students come from?

EF exchange students come from 15 countries across Europe, Asia and South America. They hail from a diverse set of communities and backgrounds which help to offer an interesting breadth of students to choose from.

Can I select the student I want to bring into my home?

Yes, our exchange coordinators and full-time staff will work with you to find a great student match. We have spent more than 40 years matching students to their American host families and high schools. If you have an idea of what type of student would fit best in your family, let's talk about it!

How long will the student be with my family?

EF exchange students come to the U.S. for either one semester or one school year.

What if it doesn't work out?

We are committed to making sure that our exchange students and host families have a great experience. If problems ever arise, you can rely on your local exchange coordinator, regional coordinator, and full-time EF staff to be there for you. In the rare case that we can't all resolve the issue together, we will find the student a new home.

Bring cultural exchange to your school

Enrich your school and bring exchange to your academic community

Open your students' eyes to the world through cultural exchange

One of the most influential educational decisions you can make for your students is to welcome exchange students into your school. We at EF are here to help you take the first step.

Principal Hal Mortensen, Nevada, shares his thoughts on the benefits of hosting exchange students.

Bring the world into your classroom

Welcoming foreign exchange students to your school complements existing learning experiences. Over the course of an academic year, your own students will gain first-hand knowledge of different cultures and customs. In sharing their America, they’ll discover what they love about their own country, and they’ll examine their own values and beliefs more critically.

More than 1200 schools across the country already enrich their classrooms each year with EF exchange students.

A mission to connect the world

Whether they’re engaging in the classroom, participating in after-school clubs, or just hanging out with friends and classmates, EF exchange students don’t just experience your school’s culture— they become a part of it.

Enrich student life

Having EF exchange students benefits your high school community. School organizations, clubs and extracurricular activities are strengthened by new cultural perspectives, as students from around the world connect on shared interests and exchange ideas with peers from across the globe.

Globalize your classrooms

EF exchange students prepare your own students for a globally-minded future. Global awareness is an indispensable skill in the world today, and as academically motivated members of the classroom, our students are a valuable resource to your school community by sharing more about daily life in other parts of the world.

Create multinational friendships

The friends that EF exchange students make while abroad are not just for the year; they are for life. Most of our students stay in touch with their friends and family long after they have returned home. American students may even get invited to visit their exchange friends in Europe or Asia in the future!

Contribute to diplomacy

Offering an American high school experience through student exchange breaks down borders and builds bridges that promote cross-cultural understanding. Enrolling EF exchange students in your high school does more than change the lives of students and families, it supports a US Department of State goal to expand understanding and communications between countries.

Where do our exchange students come from?

Learn more about their home countries

Austria

Denmark

France

Germany

Italy

Japan

The Netherlands

Norway

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Celebrating 40 years of cultural exchange.

Promoting public diplomacy since 1979

EF High School Exchange Year has been promoting global awareness through student exchange for over 40 years. We bring more students to the US each year than any other high school exchange program. Since 1979, our organization has connected more than 100,000 international students with caring host families across America. We proudly work alongside the US Department of State in promoting public diplomacy through our program. We are vetted by the exchange authorities in the US, and adhere to all applicable regulations governing exchange programs.

Frequently asked questions

How does EF High School Exchange Year find families who are interested in hosting?

Host families express interest in several different ways. Local coordinators promote hosting through varied outreach methods such as local events, outreach to their personal networks, or targeted social media efforts. Our organization also receives inquiries via our website and social media, and we welcome referrals. All host family applicants must meet certain requirements and are vetted with a thorough screening process. They are volunteers who welcome exchange students into their homes with the intention of treating them as another member of the family.

What is the criteria for student acceptance onto the program?

We review all candidates individually and only accept those who we feel will succeed on the program. We look at overall aspects such as grades, personality, English level and maturity. Students must be enrolled in high school in their home country with at least a “C” grade average. They are required to demonstrate their English capabilities through an online application, as well as with an in-person interview. Their application also requires letters of recommendation in addition to a Health Certificate signed by their doctor. Students are required to get certain vaccinations before departure. If your school requires additional vaccinations, your local coordinator will work with the EF office to set those expectations with any enrolled students.

Do EF students arrive on an F-1 or J-1 visa and is my school responsible for issuing it?

EF High School Exchange Year students arrive on a J-1 visa and your school is NOT responsible for issuing it. Our organization is designated by the US Department of State to sponsor students on a J-1 visa, and we offer schools all the benefits of cultural exchange with unparalleled support for all participants. EF provides a dedicated support team for addressing any challenges that may arise throughout the year.

What are the differences between the J-1 visa and the F-1 visa?

All EF High School Exchange Year students travel to the USA on the J-1 visa, which means that your school is not required to complete any immigration forms or take legal responsibility for the students during their stay. Instead, EF offices in the students’ home countries and in the US work together to officially sponsor the student and issue the necessary paperwork.

J-1 visa (sponsored by EF High School Exchange Year)

Heavily regulated by the US Department of State with the purpose of building mutual understanding and goodwill among nations.
Host families must meet specific eligibility requirements and are not eligible for payment.
Exchange organization vets and sponsors the student, issues the DS-2019 and recruits and screens the host family.
School must be accredited, but it does not need to be Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified.
Exchange organization assumes responsibility for legal and government reporting and also employs a global support network.

F-1 visa

Under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security. No regulations regarding host family recruitment, screening or payment.
Individual schools sponsor students, issue the I-20 and recruit host families.
School must be SEVP-certified and registered in the SEVIS system, which requires a fee.
School assumes all responsibility for legal and government reporting and may not have access to a local support network.

Who will be my school’s main contact?

Your main contact will be the local EF International Exchange Coordinator (IEC). The IEC provides local-level support to students, host families and you, the schools. This individual is likely from your community, and is screened, trained and supervised by the EF office in the US. IECs typically get involved with our exchange program because they enjoy other cultures and working with teens. Most areas also have a Regional Coordinator as an added layer of support for all participants.

What does my school do if a problem arises with an EF exchange student?

Your first point of contact is your local International Exchange Coordinator, or IEC. He or she is trained to support you in most situations. If for some reason you are unable to contact your IEC, you can contact the EF office at 800-447-4273.

With more than 40 years of experience working with 100,000+ exchange students from all over the globe, EF High School Exchange Year has well-documented procedures for addressing student problems, from academic to language to behavioral. Your IEC will work closely with you, the student, the host family and our professional staff to mediate any issues. More detailed information on EF procedures can be provided by your IEC.

What are the school requirements for EF High School Exchange Year students?

School attendance is mandatory unless a student is ill or receives permission from the school to be absent with notice from their host family.
For the duration of their exchange, students are strongly encouraged to take both English and either U.S. History or American Government.
Students are expected to assume a full course load, put forth a strong effort, and maintain a “C” or better throughout the year in each class.
Students are not guaranteed graduation, which is at the discretion of the school. EF High School Exchange Year presents all students with a certificate at the end of the year, but a diploma can only be granted by the school.
Students are not guaranteed participation in school sports, which is at the discretion of the school and/or the governing athletic association.
Students are not guaranteed participation in Driver’s Education, which is at the discretion of the school and the host family.
Students are expected to abide by all school rules and are expected to be positive members of the school community.

Put your trust in us

One of the distinct advantages of working with EF High School Exchange Year is our commitment to making things as easy as possible for your school. Our students and host families are fully prepared for the exchange experience, and throughout the year our dedicated staff is ready to support you 24 hours a day.

The student selection

We only accept students who will flourish on an intercultural exchange. Our thorough screening and preparation process set our students up for success.

Students from around the world

Our students come from 15 different countries in Europe and Asia. They are proficient in English and eager to be part of American high school life.

The EF support network

We provide exchange students, host families and schools with individualized support and proactive outreach. Coordinators are located nearby and our staff are available for expanded support.