In short: Hosting an exchange student is one of the most rewarding things a family can do. You welcome a teenager from another country into your home for a semester or school year while they attend
a local high school. Programs screen the students, provide a local coordinator, and support you the whole way.
Some programs even offer a monthly stipend or tax benefit. Choosing the right program is the hard part. That is what we make easy.
Why families use HostFamilyMatch
1
Tell us about your family
One short form, your location and when you'd like to start. Takes two minutes.
2
We find your best fit
We compare the vetted programs serving your area and recommend the one that fits your family.
3
We connect you
We personally introduce you to the program so they can answer your questions, no pressure, no cost.
The exchange programs we compare
These are established, well-known U.S. exchange organizations. Instead of filling out a different application on each of their sites, tell us once and we'll point you to the best fit.
| Program | Type | Host benefit | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| EF Exchange Year | J-1 academic year / semester | Volunteer + tax benefit | Nationwide (near an EF partner school / coordinator area). |
| APEX (AIEP) | Homestay placement | Volunteer + tax benefit | Within 20 min of an APEX partner school. |
| CETUSA | J-1 academic year | Volunteer + tax benefit | Nationwide. |
| ISE (International Student Exchange) | J-1 academic year | Volunteer + tax benefit | Nationwide. |
| ICES (International Cultural Exchange Services) | J-1 academic year | Volunteer + tax benefit | Nationwide. |
| Greenheart Exchange | J-1 academic year | Volunteer + tax benefit | Nationwide. |
| PAX (Program of Academic Exchange) | J-1 academic year / semester | Volunteer + tax benefit | Nationwide (PAX has reps across the country). |
| Ayusa | J-1 academic year / semester | Volunteer + tax benefit | Nationwide (Ayusa has reps across the country). |
| Cambridge Network Homestay | F-1 private-school homestay for international high school students | Monthly stipend | Near Cambridge Network partner private schools in many U.S. states. |
| CIEE High School Exchange | J-1 academic year / semester | Volunteer + tax benefit | Nationwide (near a CIEE local coordinator). |
See the full program comparison →
Hosting where you live
Hosting works a little differently depending on your state, timing, nearby schools, and which programs are most active. Pick your state to see what to expect locally and get matched with the right program.
Popular: Texas · California · Florida · Ohio · North Carolina · see every state →
Common questions
Do host families get paid to host an exchange student?
It depends on the program. Most classic J-1 academic-year exchange programs are volunteer-based: you don't receive a salary, but you can typically claim a tax deduction (around $50/month per student) and the program covers the student's insurance and support. Some F-1 and longer-term programs do pay host families a monthly stipend. We help you understand which type each program is before you decide.
Is HostFamilyMatch free?
Yes, completely free for families. We help you compare trusted host programs and connect you with the best fit at no cost to you.
What does hosting actually involve?
You provide a welcoming home, meals, and a supportive environment for an international student, usually for a semester or a school year. The student attends a local high school. Exchange organizations screen students, provide a local coordinator, and support you throughout.
How do I get started?
Fill out the match form once. We compare the programs serving your area, recommend the best fit for your family, and connect you with them so they can walk you through the next steps.
We may receive a referral fee from exchange programs when families we help enroll. It never costs your family anything.
How we operate: HostFamilyMatch is an independent service. When we connect a family with an exchange
organization, that organization may compensate us as an authorized referrer, this is standard in the industry
and never costs you anything. It also never changes our recommendation: we match you to the best fit for
your family, not the highest bidder. See our full disclosure.