Considering hosting an exchange student and torn between volunteer hosting and a stipend program? Here’s why choosing to volunteer with our organization offers a uniquely enriching experience for both you and the student:
1. Family Integration Over Transactional Relationships:
With our volunteer program, exchange students become true members of your family. This means they share in your daily life, responsibilities, and traditions, fostering deeper, more genuine connections. In contrast, a stipend can sometimes create an expectation to entertain or prioritize the student, which may feel more like a transaction than a family bond.
2. Focus on Cultural Exchange, Not Compensation:
Hosting as a volunteer allows you to focus purely on the joy of cultural exchange without financial incentives. This creates an environment where relationships are built on mutual respect and genuine care, rather than financial transactions. Your motivations and interactions are driven by a desire to share and learn from each other.
3. Building Life Skills Through Family Dynamics:
In a volunteer host setting, students participate in family chores and follow household rules, helping them develop important life skills and adapt seamlessly to their new environment. This experience is invaluable for their personal growth and integration.
4. A Community of Like-Minded Families:
By joining our organization, you become part of a global network of families who prioritize cultural exchange and understanding. This community is dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting impacts on students’ lives, fostering a more interconnected and empathetic world.
5. Sharing Values and Lasting Bonds:
Volunteering to host an exchange student emphasizes shared values and experiences. The absence of financial incentives ensures that your hosting experience is about building lasting bonds and cultural enrichment, making the experience deeply rewarding for both your family and the student.
Choosing to host with our organization means choosing an experience rooted in genuine care, cultural exchange, and lifelong connections. We believe that the most rewarding relationships are those built on mutual respect and shared experiences, not financial transactions. Join us in making a difference and creating unforgettable memories!
How Can I Learn More About Student Exchange and Get Involved?
We invite you to read about hosting a foreign exchange student. If you have specific questions about hosting, check out our host family FAQ page. You can also read testimonials from our past and current host families. When you feel ready, complete our host family interest form, and our area representative will get in touch with you.
You can also get involved by joining our team of Area Representatives! Help match host families and exchange students and bring the world closer together, while making a supplemental income.
