• Every year, thousands of high school students from around the world come to the United States for a semester or full school year to learn English and experience American life. They are participating in one of the many exchange programs offered by not-for-profit organizations that arrange international home stays. Individuals or families interested in participating should carefully research the sponsoring organization's history and the support programs it offers exchange students and their host families.
  
  

AFS Intercultural Programs

• One of the oldest youth exchange programs in the world, AFS has been offering intercultural programs since 1919. American families host more than 2,500 international students through AFS' six- and 11-month programs. The students, who range in age from 15 to 18, come from 50 countries and have studied English in their home countries, although their proficiency may vary greatly. They accept singles, couples and families with children to act as hosts. Families must provide the international student with his own bed and three meals every day. They must also agree to treat him like an equal member of the family. Host families receive no stipend or other pay from AFS, although they are eligible for a tax deduction. Exchange students bring their own spending money and are covered by secondary medical insurance. Families begin the application process by completing the Host Family Interest Form on the AFS website.
  
  AFS
  71 W. 23rd St., 17th Floor
  New York, NY 10010
  212-352-9810
  afs.org
  
  

Youth for Understanding

• Youth for Understanding has offered study abroad and hosting programs since 1951. It accepts hosts from many nationalities and religious backgrounds. Host families can live in rural areas, small towns or big cities. Its students, who are also between 15 and 18 years old, come from 60 countries. They arrive in August or January and stay for a semester or a year. While in the U.S. they attend local high schools and study subjects such as American history and government. They have their own medical insurance and bring spending money to cover incidental expenses. Youth for Understanding is known for its host family support, which includes an orientation session before the exchange student arrives and two or three weekend programs while the student is in the U.S. Interested individuals and families are selected after filling out an application and completing a personal interview.
  
  Youth for Understanding USA
  6400 Goldsboro Road, Suite 100
  Bethesda, MD 20817
  800-TEENAGE or 240-235-2100
  yfu-usa.org
  
  

Council on International Educational Exchange

• The Council on International Educational Exchange has been offering work and study abroad programs for college students, teachers and professionals since 1947. It began offering high school exchange programs in 1995. Each year it coordinates exchange programs for about 1,300 international high school students who stay with their host families for five or 10 months. All high school students are required to have at least three years of English language classes in their home countries. Individuals or families who wish to host must have one parent who is at least 25 years old. They agree to include the student in all meals and family outings. Students provide their own insurance and spending money. Interested families can learn more about the program by completing the group's online interest form. They will then be contacted by a representative in their area.
  
  USA High School Programs
  CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange
  300 Fore St.
  Portland, ME 04101
  800-448-9944 or 207-553-4000
  ciee.org