Support Tips for Host Families

Our travel team is responsible for booking and informing all participants and their host families about travel arrangements. We will work with you to accommodate schedules as best as we can. Please note that some countries take care of their students’ travel, and we cannot guarantee accommodation with all schedules, as some programs require students to travel together on specific dates.

If you have an emergency, please call the YFU USA travel emergency line at 1 (800) 705-9510. You can also call (202) 774-5211 for travel issues.

• All YFU exchange students must attend school during their exchange year. This is usually a public school, but attending other types of schools (such as a charter school or similar) is also possible, as is enrolling in a private school. However, the latter must be clarified on a case-by-case basis.
• As a host family, you suggest a school for your exchange student. The school administration decides on admission and grade level. The team at the YFU office handles all necessary documentation with the school, such as transcripts and student packet information.
• All host families must register their student with the residents’ registration office immediately upon arrival or before they land in the United States. Host families will receive all necessary certificates and other documents from YFU on time. We ask that you support your host child with these initial administrative procedures.

All students planning to arrive in the United States on a J-1 visa must pass an English language test known as the ELTIS (English Language Test for International Students) score. This requirement ensures that students possess a strong command of the English language before their arrival, enabling them to effectively communicate and integrate into their new environment. While in the U.S., students should continue to work on perfecting their English language fluency, as this will not only enhance their academic and professional opportunities but also enrich their overall cultural experience. By striving for excellence in English, students can fully immerse themselves in American society and make the most of their time abroad.

• Typical challenges include homesickness, which can arise occasionally, and what’s known as culture shock at the beginning of the exchange. The many new impressions and unfamiliar routines can initially be overwhelming. This is normal; getting used to an entirely new environment takes time.
• Some problems also arise due to misunderstandings, such as cultural differences or initial language difficulties. An open conversation with everyone involved and/or your Local Coordinator can work wonders. However, if, despite all the clarifying discussions, it turns out that the chemistry between your exchange student and your family isn’t right, YFU can place them with another family.

Both your family and your host son or daughter will be fascinated by cultural differences yet reassured by how much people have in common. Communication is key when trying to address cultural differences on both sides. Please remember that the exchange student and your family are participating in the exchange program with the best intentions. Please include your contact person for support and assistance.

You can decide how you want to be called by the student. It could be mom or dad, or the student could call you by your first name, for example. Discuss this together after the student’s arrival.

Hosting is not always easy. Communication is key to understanding each other’s perspectives in different situations and solving misunderstandings. During the exchange, a Local Coordinator will support both the host parent(s) and your exchange student and ensure that both of you have a good experience.

Most host families have contact with their exchange son’s or daughter’s natural parents a few times during the exchange duration. It is nice for natural parents to know about your family since they trust you to care for their child. However, exchange organizations do not encourage persistent communication between host and natural parents because cultural differences and miscommunication occur quickly in online communications. If an issue needs to be discussed with your host son’s or daughter’s natural parents, please contact your Local Coordinator or Support Services Manager. They will ensure that YFU USA communicates with the exchange organization in the student’s home country. The exchange organization in the student’s country of origin will discuss the matter with the student’s natural parents.

No. The exchange student’s natural parents remain legal guardians. YFU USA takes legal responsibility during the exchange program.

The costs of hosting an exchange student are similar to those for a typical teenager for the time you host. Calculate the additional costs of adding a family member for your three meals daily, using the shower, and electricity in your home. Your exchange son’s or daughter’s natural parents will pay for all travel costs, program fees, and health insurance. They should also provide the student a monthly spending allowance for school expenses, social activities, clothing, sports, local travel, and other essentials. If your student struggles to budget for the expenses as mentioned above, you should contact your Local Coordinator. 

Our student emergency phone number is (202) 424-3691. This number is staffed 24/7/365. 

If your student is hurt or needs immediate emergency attention such as a severe mental health crisis, please call 911 followed by the YFU emergency line to keep us updated.

• If your student struggles to acclimate to the culture or your family, we have many people here to support you in any capacity. These people include:
  • Your Local Coordinator (LC)
  • Your Support Services Manager (SSM)
  • Your Community Manager (CM)
• The contact information for these people is provided before your student arrives. Please ensure you save their contact information. Always contact your Local Coordator first and they will contact the appropriate person for additional help if needed. If you are struggling with your Local Coordinator please contact your Support Service Manager or Community Manager.

Your first point of contact should always be your Local Coordinator.

All YFU students come to the United States with health insurance. You are not expected to pay for medical expenses. Please visit our Insurance Information page for more information about student health insurance.

• Yes! We encourage host families to show their exchange students different areas of the United States, but this is not required. 
• YFU USA is responsible for assuring student safety to the greatest extent possible, knowing a student’s location, and ensuring that students participate in host family activities and school programs. Any travel that might impact these factors requires advance approval from YFU USA. The Support Services Manager (SSM) has the final authority to grant or deny permission to travel.
• Students should work with their host parents to review, complete, and submit the online Permission to Travel request. The form can be found in the online host family account. Travel should not be booked before receiving approval from YFU USA. You can learn more about approved travel and how to submit your Permission to Travel form in our Permission to Travel Policy.
• Travel that is permitted includes:
  • Student travel with their host family
  • Student travel with an adult approved by YFU USA (must be 25 or older)
  • Student travel on a school-sponsored trip
  • Student travel on a religious or youth organization-sponsored trip
  • Student travel on a YFU-sponsored trip (BELO Trips, for example)
• Travel that is not permitted includes:
  • Independent travel to visit an unauthorized host under the age of 25
  • Travel with natural family or home country friends during the program year
  • Travel that causes a student to miss more days of school than the school allows

• Successful host families:
  • Do not have too many expectations of the hosting experience because it cannot be predicted and naturally evolves as you get to know each other.
  • Offer their exchange son or daughter a supportive environment. When everything around them changes (home, school, friends, language), it is nice if you are the constant factor on which they can rely.
  • Encourage active school participation.
  • Share their cultural traditions while learning about the culture from their exchange son or daughter.