Share your home for a year, enjoy a friendship for a lifetime.

1) Why Hosting?
Learn why hosting an ASSE Exchange Student can enrich your life in a way you could never imagine.
2.) Meet Our Students
Watch this video to learn about former ASSE Exchange Students from different  backgrounds who share their experiences!
3.) Get Started! 

Common Questions & Concerns:

  • Are we good candidates for hosting?
Host families come in many shapes and sizes. There is no typical host family: families with teens, no children, young children, children who have grown, single parents and grandparents. Host families live in large cities, suburban areas, on farms and ranches, or in small communities. Our students are also from diverse family situations. Using your interests and preferences, a representative from one of the placement organizations will help you in matching an exchange student to your family situation. You have to be 25! If single have to host 2!
  • How will our family benefit by hosting an international exchange student? 
​Hosting an exchange student is a rewarding experience for your whole family. You’ll learn about another culture and language — without leaving home. You’ll start a life-long relationship with your new "son" or "daughter," and when your student returns home you’ll have a friend in another country. Members of your family will feel closer to each other through sharing your daily lives with an exchange student. If you have children, they’ll gain a broader perspective on the world, learning more about geography, communication and international cultures. If your children are young, they’ll probably love having a big brother or sister from another country. You will be a citizen diplomat by creating positive impressions about America and Americans, breaking stereotypes, and fostering mutual understanding and respect.
  • How long do we have to host our exchange student?
​Hosting opportunities range from serving a meal or providing an overnight stay to welcoming an exchange student into your home for a full year. Likewise, you can host a student for one semester or for the entire school year if you choose.
  • Do I have to send my son or daughter overseas in order to host an exchange student?
No. The word "exchange" sometimes misleads people. The word "exchange" refers to an exchange of cultures and ideas, as opposed to a literal exchange of family members, although American host brothers and sisters are welcome to apply and travel overseas.
  •  My family isn't a "traditional" family, is it still possible to host? 
​Of course! Our host families come in all shapes and sizes. Host families may include single parent households, parents with adult children, families with small children or many other varieties. A few examples of host families include (but are not limited to):
  •   Single adults
  •  Working parents
  •   Single parents
  •   Same sex couples
  •   Couples without children
  •   Couples with children (of any age)
  •   Adoptive parents
  •   Empty nesters
  •   Military families
    • What is required of a host family? 
​Families hosting high school students should:
  • Be able to provide for an additional member of the family including a separate bed, suitable study area and three meals per day.
  • Offer a supportive environment as the student goes through his or her adjustment process.
  • Be interested in teenagers/international students and have realistic expectations of what life with a teenager is like. Help your student adapt to your family and to U.S. life and culture.
  • Familiarize your student with your hometown and promote participation in school and community events.
  • Provide a safe and secure environment for the student to live and learn.
    • Will my exchange student speak English? 
​It is required that all students must be able to function in their classrooms while an exchange student. While students do speak English, some cultures will be more proficient in the beginning.
  • Will I receive financial compensation for hosting an exchange student? 
​No. You will not receive compensation as a volunteer host family. The U.S. Government does appreciate your commitment to international exchange, however, and you can claim a flat $50 per month tax deduction as an American host family for the coming tax year.
  • Am I the exchange student's legal guardian? 
​No. The exchange student’s natural parents remain legal guardians. The student’s program takes legal responsibility during the course of the program. Each exchange student’s Certificate of Health contains a medical release form so that host parents may secure medical treatment in the case of an emergency.
  • How will our exchange student get around? 
​Since exchange students are not allowed to drive, the host family is expected to provide transportation. Though students will take the school bus when available, host parents must make sure the student has transportation to school each day. The host family may also transport students to after-school events, social activities, and cultural programs, just as they would their own child.  Exchange students might also use public transportation or a bike, or even have school friends who drive.
  • What if the student needs medical attention?
​Your student is provided with health insurance that will cover any expenses should they require a visit to the doctor. Before a student is accepted into most programs, they must undergo a complete physical exam and submit a certified report documenting that they are in good health. They have travel insurance and what that doesn’t cover it’s on them to pay. 
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    Questions? Please reach out! 

Take a look at how the ASSE program has made an incredible impact on my family's life! These pictures only scratch the surface of the memories and experiences that will last us a lifetime! 

Maddie - Moldova
​(2017)

Moldova is an Eastern European country that pulled away from the Soviet Republic. They are the second poorest country in Europe. The traditional meals are stews, lambs, or goat served with a combination of vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers, cabbage, beans, onions, garlic, and leeks. Most meals are served with wine, and they are most famous for their wine. What we learned is that they don't have sewer systems! Like what!? Teaches us to really appreciate what we have. Maddie could play the guitar amazingly and her voice was beautiful. She liked going to Farmers Markets, that food was more her style from back home, however she still loved our food here!

Maria - Spain
​(2017-2018)

Maria was our first full year student. She has come home to us a few times already! We also flew into New York City to meet her parents and brother. We made so many memories. She was a fast talker, which I eventually learned to understand her. Her English was great, don't get me wrong, she just like to talk 100 miles a minute! When others were around, I just had to remind her to slow down. She gave the best neck rubs, boy don't I miss them! It was never dull with her around. My oldest and her loved to sing and dance, however, they weren't good at it, but it gave us lots of laughs! They also volunteered a lot together. It's nice for them to give back to the community that takes them in. A fun fact about Spain is that they celebrate Christmas from December 22nd through January 6th! They have the Three Kings that come for Christmas, which is neat to learn about.  

Jodie - France
​(2018)

 Jodie is from France, and she came with a lot of personality in a little package! France is in Western Europe. Of course everyone wants to go to Paris, the capital. They are known for their fashion houses, classical art museums, and of course monuments like The Eiffel Tower. They are also known for their wines and sophisticated cuisines. My favorite is their Crepes, and let me tell you, they are amazing. France really enjoys their breads and desserts. It was fun having her and learning to cook the things she likes.

Roman - Spain
​(2018-2019)

Roman was the brother my son had been waiting for. We had so many laughs with him! For starters, learning to tie a tie for dress up days on game nights. Him coming home to my oldest daughter trying on his black jeans because she needed a pair-he did really wear skinny jeans! He was amazing to my kids. I didn't know what to expect hosting a boy in High School with older girls, but they fought just like siblings! Him and my middle girl fought over the front seat every time, to the point they were pulling each other out of my car! Oh, the memories! I miss having him, and he's definitely due for a visit. When he got back to his home, he called asking for my BBQ recipe. He loved them and burgers--honestly, he pretty much loved everything. Boy could he drink Coke! Just like Maria, he taught us about The Three Kings. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting Roman and we would welcome him back in a heartbeat! 

Pierre - France
​(2019)

Pierre was a young boy who just went with the flow and was very laid back. He really wanted to try baseball here, so we signed him up for that. He really enjoyed the season with his team! He also did track, which wasn't one of his favorites! He taught us that wine and cheese are a must in France. It's also the world's most popular tourist destination and largest country in the EU. It is sometimes called the hexagon! 

Ronja - Germany
(2019-2020)

Where to begin...This year was awful, but not in a way you might think. This was the year COVID hit and we fought so hard to keep her here, but she had to end the program way too early to go home. Lots of tears were shed, she was a great girl. She was amazing with my kids. Her interest while she was here was running. She did do basketball, volleyball, and track as well, but cross-country was her favorite. She made STATE cross-country, and she did awesome, so proud of her!  We also did a murder mystery party for her birthday, which was a hit and a lot of fun! A fun fact from Germany is that gummy bears were invented there! Another one is that the first printed book was in Germany. And wait for it...the balcony of the hotel Michael Jackson dangled his son over was in Berlin. No way, right? Yep, it's true! 

Carley - Italy
​(2019-2020)

Carly could always put a smile on your face. She made amazing Carbonara, I've maybe called her a few times to get the recipe! However, it never tastes like hers! She needs to come back and make supper. Volleyball was her favorite sport while here and she was SO good. People actually came to the games to watch her. Facts about Italy is its actually one of the Western Europe's youngest countries! Most oeple thin Italy is most known for pizza, pasta, and the famous Rome, however they are worldwide famous for their art, culture, architecture, and of course food. Fun fact is that spaghetti and meatballs is NOT an Italian dish. Italians also don't use fancy coffee names. And the one I don't understand still is save the bread, it's not an appetizer, and salad comes after the meal. 

Madli - Estonia
(2020-2021)

Madli was an unplanned surprise. She was supposed to go somewhere else, but with COVID, plans changed. When COVID hit, exchange students weren't allowed to come to a school with only online learning, so we took her in. She was very creative. Madli was into dance and that was new to me. We signed her up for dance, and she really enjoyed that. She was such a sweet, nice girl, and good with the kids as well. Here are some interesting facts on Estonia: They were the first country to adopt an online political voting system, and over 50% of Estonia is covered in forest! Something Madli told us that was interesting was that a lot of them have saunas in their houses! Pretty cool, right?

Marija -  Serbia
(2021-2022)

Marija was accident prone. People would freak when they heard she was from Serbia. It's Serbia, not Saudi Arabia. Anyways, I could write for days on her! She had the most beautiful hair and she was gorgeous. With that being said, she did like to check herself out. She always had a mirror with her. She loved baggy shirts, that was always her go-to outfit. She was maybe size xs/s and wanted 3x! No lie! She was an amazing braider, we enjoyed having her braid our hair. She loved cheer and running track...just kidding, she tried to run the mile and walked right off the track! My daughter had to give her a piggyback ride back to camp! There was never a dull moment with her. Serbia is the land of the Rich Heritage and Culture. They are also the largest exporter of raspberries. A true fact is that most Serbians last names end with "ic"!

Udi - Nigeria
(2022)

We only had Udi for a month. She needed a place to stay once school got out and before she went home. Learning about Nigeria was crazy! It really teaches you to be thankful for what we have. Udi really enjoyed going to the farm with our family and working cattle. She loved the tv here and all the electronics as she didn't have that back home at her boarding school. She went to an all girls school. She had a lot of cool wigs for her hair, which would be really nice to change it up when you want! The most memorable part from her month was us teaching her how to float and swim a little! Nigeria has over 50 languages and over 250 dialects and ethnic groups. Nigeria is the most populous black nation on earth. They are known for their vibrant and friendly energy expressed through diverse creative expressions!

Maela - Belgium 
(2022-2023)

Maela was one with many faces! Boy do I miss the looks she gave me. She was my daughter, Hannah's, other half. She's been gone a year and this summer Hannah is going there to visit for three weeks! I am so excited for them. Maela was great and my little ones adored her. I learned to make duck breast with a cranberry sauce for her. Her leaving left a hole in our hearts but having her with us was so worth it. She's family now and forever. You want to know some fun facts about Belgium? Here they are...Belgium has three official languages, it's technically a kingdom, and can function without a government. Another fun fact is that french fries actually come from Belgium!

Ricky - Italy
(2022-2023)

Oh Ricky, where to begin? He was one to ask many questions. He had to know everything! He LOVED food and was ALWAYS hungry, but then again, look at his size! Leftovers weren't a thing in our house with him. He liked everything. Ricky was really into documenting his year here. He took lots of pictures and videos. He was so fun to watch during basketball and it was never dull with him around. A weird fact on Italy, CATS have rights. Like seriously, wow! Italy also has a free wine fountain. Guess who invented Pizza, Italy, in Naples!

Madeleine - France
(2023-2024)

She was the sweetest girl ever. She was always willing to help me without being asked. She challenged herself in school in every way possible. She tried cheerleading, track, and cross country. Needless to say, cross country wasn't her thing but she would smile and wave at me every meeting while "running". She never quit, and I was so proud of her for that! She loved animals so it's good that we have so many! She enjoyed going to the farm to learn and help out. She made it into vet school while she was with us and it was so amazing to share that with her. She was a go with the flow person and easy to love. She loved healthy food and loved our beef. Any condiments for her was a no go, I still can't get over that! She loved her tea and coffee. We miss her a lot. Fun fact about France is that they are known for their snails. It is the largest country in the European Union and is sometimes called the hexagon. Believe it or not, french fries were not made in France, they were made in Belgium!

Andreas - Denmark
​(2023 - 2024)

Andreas...oh what to say about him. Within his year with us he took an elbow to the eye at basketball practice and had to get two stitches. I was he lucky one that took him to the doctor and needless to say he got to keep the tools used and I'm not sure, I don't have to explain why! Hint...he hated needles! He loved his Coke Zero! He could make rice with chicken and vegetables which he liked for all three meals a day because to him, there wasn't such thing as breakfast food! Thankfully for us beef farmers he loved burgers and steak too! Honestly, the kid would eat anything. We shared a lot of laughs with him and he learned by the end that communication was important. When his program was done his dad joined and it was fun watching interact with him and they were seriously the exact same person. They went on to visit some states together as his dad's host family from when he was in the program was just in Wyoming -- not too far from us! He wasn't scared to try new things and with that, he made some good friends. It was never dull with him around. We miss him and hope he comes back again! Fun fact about Denmark is that it's one of the happiest countries in the world and they have more bikes than cars!