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1. Locate local hosting organizations. There are a variety of hosting organizations in the United States and other countries; however, not each operates in all localities. Call local high schools and colleges to get a list of organizations that are active in your area. You can also go to an organization's website to determine whether or not it needs host families where you live. Some hosting organizations include the Center for Cultural Interchange, International Student Exchange and the EF Foundation for Foreign Study.
2. Research organizations' backgrounds. Exchange student organizations differ greatly among themselves. Some are non-profit, others are connected with a particular school or program and all have a reputation. Use the organization's website to learn basic information, and contact your local representative, whose contact information should be on the organization's website. But don't just stop there; also check with local schools and previous host families that have worked with the organization to get an idea of whether or not it is legitimate and reliable. You should be able to get a list of host families and schools that have used the organization from the local representative. If you can't, you might want to reconsider hosting with that particular organization.
3. Choose a hosting organization or decide to host without an organization. To choose an organization, pick the one that appeared easiest to work with during your research phase. Also, consider the income implications when choosing an organization. Most exchange student non-profits look for volunteer families, meaning that no income is involved. However, some organizations offer the host family a stipend. A home-stay program at a college will often require the student to pay you rent through the college's exchange program. For instance, the Canadian Language Learning College offers pay to host families. You can also offer to host without an organization at the college level. This means advertising your home as a place where international students can stay for a rent payment.Canadian Language Learning College
203 - 1871 Market Street
Halifax, NS, Canada B3J 3A9
+1-902-461-0919
www.cllc.ca
4. Apply for a host position. Education First, like many other exchange student organizations, allows host families to apply online. The process for this organization entails filling out an online application, choosing a student from a database and attending an orientation session. Some organizations have different requirements -- such as meeting you in your home -- before you can be a host family.EF Foundation for Foreign Study
EF Center Boston
1 Education St.
Cambridge, MA 02141
1-800-44-SHARE
effoundation.org
5. Go over final details with your coordinator. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you understand the policies involved with hosting an exchange student, as well as payment procedures. At the Canadian Language Learning College, the school promises to pay the host family even if the student defaults. Check to see if a similar policy is in place with the organization that you are using.