HIGH SCHOOL in the USA
Cultural Exchange program
OPEN YOUR HEART, SHARE YOUR HOME!
Make life-long connections and embrace new cultures in your family! Positively impact the life of your family by hosting an International HSUSA student in your loving home! From married, single, empty nesters, young kids, teenage kids, or no kids - HSUSA welcomes any host able to provide a safe home, three square meals, and loving support.
Becoming a Host Family is embarking on a new adventure. The daily rhythm: getting up, going to bed, evenings, meals; the holidays: "Thanksgiving", Christmas, "Halloween", birthdays; special events: barbecue, cinema, bowling, visits ... all are different with a new family member from another culture in your home. Being an HSUSA Host Family makes your exchange student part of your family.
Different Culture, Different Language, One Goal: Exchange
Hosting an HSUSA exchange student offers a unique opportunity to share your story, traditions, and customs while experiencing a new culture right in your own home. If your family is open to new and enriching experiences, and willing to provide guidance, love, and support to an international young person on a journey of self-discovery, then hosting an HSUSA exchange student is perfect for you!
Host families come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you have children, are single, or an empty nester, HSUSA welcomes all kinds of families. You can live in the suburbs, the city, or rural America—what matters is your willingness to embrace new experiences and support a student eager to grow and learn.
Being an HSUSA host family brings a sense of adventure and cultural enrichment to your household, while also teaching valuable lessons about acceptance and global unity to your entire community.
Benefits and Basics of being a Host Family:
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Sharing your story, traditions, and customs while learning about others
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Experiencing what it’s like to have another sibling
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Introduction to a different culture and country
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Learning a new language
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Exposing your school and community to the world
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Appreciating your own family, country, and culture
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Lifelong connections to your student and their family abroad.
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Informal exchanges for your family to be invited to visit your students' home and country
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Offer 3 meals a day, place to study, have an extra bed, and willingness to share cultures
More than a Bed, a Second Family
Hosting an exchange student involves much more than simply providing a bed and meals. As an HSUSA Host Family, you’ll welcome a new member into your home, share your daily lives, and grow together as you exchange cultural perspectives. You’ll be amazed at how much you learn about yourself, your family, and your community through this experience.
We carefully match students with host families based on personality traits, hobbies, extracurricular interests, family dynamics, and more. This thoughtful process ensures that the student feels less like a guest and more like a true member of the family. We consider the relationship between a student and their host family to be the most important aspect of the exchange year, fostering deep connections and mutual understanding.
By embracing an exchange student, you’ll embark on a journey of cultural enrichment, personal growth, and lasting memories.
SECOND FAMILY
A Happy, Healthy Home:
A bed, a place to study, and a place they can call "home".
HEALTHY MEALS
Three a day- Host families provide the basics. It is again a way to promote your vision of the American Lifestyle.
BASIC TRANSPORT
It could be the public school bus or the host family or friends provide rides for where the student needs to go.
WELCOMING HEART
Listen, guide, love & treat them as your own. Hosting is all about sharing your version of America with an exchange student.
Follow Us
THE THOMPSON FAMILY IN HOUSTON, TX
Hosted Hayk from Armenia
Host School: Oakridge High School
"Hayk is exceptional! Hosting him is a gift that enriches our family in countless ways. Through his presence, we not only learn about his culture but also rediscover the beauty of ours through his curious eyes. Hayk has challenged us to listen deeply and to embrace the unfamiliar. A reminder that family isn't defined by blood, race, ethnicity, and borders but by connection. The memories we built together will forever remind us that opening our home to someone from afar is, in truth, an invitation to expand our hearts and love."
PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH THE LEAD PROGRAM
It takes more than classroom knowledge alone to achieve our goals in life.
Empowering Future Leaders with LE∆D
For over 150 years, our sister company, Southwestern Advantage, has equipped college students with leadership and life skills. That same mission now continues through LE∆D—a nationwide community helping young people thrive.
LE∆D focuses on personal growth, emotional intelligence, academic success, and community impact—preparing students to reach their goals and make a difference, both in school and beyond.
WHAT'S NEXT? HOW DOES IT WORK?
1- CONTACT US
Use the contact form below, and the HSUSA team will reach out to answer any questions you have about hosting an international student.
2- APPLY
With the assistance of our team of experts, you will fill in more complete information about you, your family and your project of hosting an International Student.
3- BACKGROUND CHECK
HSUSA prioritizes student safety. All host families undergo a screening process, including a background check, home visit, and three character references.
4- APPROVAL
Once approved, you’ll work with our Local Coordinator to prepare for hosting an international exchange student.
5- SELECT A STUDENT
Start by choosing a student profile from our 'MEET OUR STUDENTS' section to see who’s coming to your community from around the world.
6- OPEN YOUR HOME
The final step is preparing your family and home for the student’s arrival. We encourage early communication between student and host to begin building a connection.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Hosting an international exchange student can be a highly rewarding opportunity for your family. The chance to discover a different perspective than your own and to share your own culture with an international student is a daily lesson in cultural understanding. The bonds created span continents—and can last for many years to come.
GET IN TOUCH
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Whether you’re ready to get started or simply have a few questions, our team is here to help. Just fill out the contact form and one of our friendly experts will reach out to you shortly.
We take pride in offering personalized support and guidance, so you can expect a timely and thoughtful response. Let’s connect and explore how we can support your journey—starting today!
