For many international exchange students, few holidays feel more quintessentially “American” than Thanksgiving. Many Thanksgiving traditions revolve around cultural mainstays like football and comfort food, leading many international students to feel particularly excited about experiencing Thanksgiving with their American host family. What are the types of experiences international students look forward to, and how can […]
If you didn’t know David and Sherry Rollins personally, you would be forgiven for thinking the couple had one of the largest extended families you’d ever seen. After all, nearly a dozen teenagers have come in and out of the Rollins household over the past decade, each staying in their home for just a handful […]
Ideally, host families and their exchange students have relationships built on open communication and honesty. But sometimes, coming into a new family’s home can cause students to feel unsure about how to approach unfamiliar or confusing situations. Add in a language barrier and cultural differences, and sometimes the communication breakdown is hard to mend! Many […]
A semester or year spent living overseas as a teen elicits plenty of emotions — excitement, anticipation, and wonder just to name a few. That said, some level of discomfort and even sadness is inevitable when an exchange student embarks on an extended trip so far from home. Helping your student adapt to and embrace […]
Only a decade or two ago, the concept that students could interact with their peers from around the world on a regular basis was hardly feasible. But with the rise of social media and communication technologies like Skype and WhatsApp, modern students are more connected to the world around them than ever before. With that, […]
Whether you are just wrapping up your latest hosting experience or are getting ready to host your very first, you might already be thinking: “Should I host another exchange student?” Opening your home to a foreign student is a hugely rewarding experience for families and individuals across the United States. With ISE alone, more than […]
Deciding to host an exchange student is a tough decision to make — perhaps one of the most impactful decisions you’ll ever make for your family. Doing so will not only provide an enriching experience for a young person looking to explore the world, but it will likely open the hearts and minds of your […]
Each year, thousands of international exchange students travel to the US to experience American culture and academics on J1 and F1 visas. J1 and F1 visa programs all serve a similar purpose: to connect people and cultures from around the world. There are plenty of reasons to host an exchange student — from having a rich […]
Considering hosting an exchange student? Then it’s probably a safe bet to assume that you have questions about what the experience will be like. From what students are like to how expenses work, it’s important to understand all of what goes into the hosting experience before embarking on the journey yourself. It’s natural to feel […]
From excitement to homesickness to the thrill of new experiences, the exchange journey is filled with powerful emotions for both the student and the host family. Of course, nothing epitomizes the emotional impact of hosting an exchange student quite like the bittersweet experience of that student returning home. But in the case of many foreign […]