10 pros and cons of hosting a foreign exchange student

I’ve met several families who have hosted foreign exchange students, and they all had great things to say about their experiences.

After talking with over 12 host families, none of them shared a negative story.

However, like anything in life, hosting a foreign exchange student has its pros and cons.

If you’re thinking about becoming a host, let’s explore both sides together.

Pros and cons of hosting a foreign exchange student

From the experiences of families who have hosted foreign exchange students, the pros far outweigh the cons.

While there are minor challenges, most hosts agree that the positives, make it all worthwhile.

And, once you host a student yourself, you’ll likely feel the same way!

The pros of hosting a foreign exchange student

The pros of hosting a foreign exchange student include:

1. It promotes cultural exchange and global understanding

One of the obvious pros of hosting a foreign exchange student is cultural exchange.

Through foreign exchange programs, we can learn about other’s ways of life and understand another culture first-hand.

By welcoming a student from a different country into your home, you create an opportunity to learn about the student’s culture, traditions, and way of life.

This cross-cultural interaction promotes global understanding, tolerance, and appreciation for diversity.

2. It allows us to learn other people’s language

If you want to learn a country’s language fast, host a student from the country.

When you host a foreign exchange student, you open the door to language learning.

For example, staying with an English-speaking host family will greatly improve the student’s English language fluency.

Likewise, as a host family, you’ll learn or improve your skills in the student’s native language.

3. It helps to expand your perspectives about others

Another amazing advantage of hosting a foreign exchange student is that it transforms you – it expands your perspectives about others.

As you learn the culture of the exchange student, you’ll develop skills like adaptability, communication, and empathy.

When you get exposed to new ideas and perspectives, it challenges your preconceived notions and broadens your worldview.

4. It helps to build lifelong connections and relationships

Is there a better way to build connections than hosting a student?

I don’t think so.

By hosting exchange students, you’ll form long-lasting connections and relationships, which is remarkable.

The bonds that develop between you and the student can last even after the program.

These connections will become cherished friendships that endure across time and distance.

5. It increases family bonding

Sharing your home with an exchange student can bring your family closer together.

You’ll work together to support your students, celebrate new milestones, and create shared memories.

All of which helps your family bond better.

6. It is an opportunity to learn

This is the part of the exchange program that is interesting.

As a host family, every day is a learning opportunity.

It is a learning experience for everyone involved – you, your family members and the student).

You’ll learn about different educational systems, teaching methods, and possibly even new academic subjects.

7. It provides an opportunity for you to learn about yourself and your own culture

When you host a foreign exchange student, you also gain a deeper understanding of your culture.

Through conversations, comparisons, and shared experiences, you begin to appreciate your traditions, values, and customs.

8. Helps you create a long-lasting network

Many host families and exchange students develop deep, lasting bonds that continue long after the program ends.

It doesn’t just end after the student completes their education – the bond goes on from there.

You could gain a lifelong friend and even have a place to stay if you travel to the student’s home country.

9. It’s a way to get involved in your community

If you want to get involved in your community, try hosting an exchange student.

You’ll be more involved in local community activities and events related to the exchange program.

Some host families come together to create a group of “host families”, they sit from time to time to learn and share ideas.

This helps everyone get connected in the community and increases social opportunities.

10. Shared experiences

You get the chance to share your own culture, traditions, and way of life with your exchange student.

This mutual exchange will be enlightening and rewarding for both parties (you and the student).

In addition, hosting an exchange student helps foster a sense of global citizenship and awareness within your family.

You’ll become more attuned to global issues and develop a more inclusive worldview.

What is better than providing support and help to a young person during a critical time in their life?

You play a crucial role in their life and help them achieve their goals – it’s wonderful.

The cons of hosting a foreign exchange student

While hosting a foreign exchange student is great, the cons include:

1. Commitment and responsibilities

One of the main disadvantages of hosting an exchange student is that it is tasking.

Frankly, it’s not all that easy. It requires a time commitment and comes with responsibilities on your part.

As a host family, you need to care for the student’s needs.

This responsibility will be challenging, especially if you have a busy schedule or other family commitments.

2. You’ll face communication challenges

Communication will be challenging if there is a significant language barrier.

When hosting a foreign exchange student, both you and the student will adjust on many grounds including language – depending on the level of language difference.

It’s normal.

The shared differences (like cultural differences, language barriers, and varying expectations) can be hard to cope with or adjust to.

3. You’ll get emotionally attached to the student

If it’s possible, don’t get emotionally attached to the student, but that’s almost impossible.

Building an emotional attachment to a foreign exchange student is a double-edged sword.

While it allows for deep connections and meaningful relationships, it also means that saying goodbye at the end of the program will be emotionally difficult.

The farewell will be particularly challenging for you and the student, as you have to part ways and adjust to life without each other.

4. It requires money

While as a host family, you’ll likely receive a stipend (depending on the exchange program you go for), there will be additional out-of-pocket expenses not covered by the stipend.

To be a good host (even in a paid hosting program) you’ll make financial sacrifices.

While the student will cover their academic needs, you’ll provide the student’s basic needs.

5. It will affect your privacy and personal space

As a host, you have to compromise your privacy and personal space.

Sharing your home with a student means you need to make adjustments and accommodate their needs.

You’ll share common areas and let the student in on other aspects of your life during the hosting period.

6. Adjusting can be challenging

The initial adjustment period will be challenging as both you (as a host) and the student adapt to each other’s routines, expectations, and lifestyles.

You need to be as understanding as possible to get through this stage.

7. Hosting a student has strict rules

As a host family, you must adhere to the rules set by the exchange program; that’s how it works.

These rules are made to protect you and the student, as well as the integrity of the exchange program.

You have to follow specific guidelines, which aren’t always cool.

8. It’s emotionally draining

Sometimes it can be emotionally demanding to be a good host, especially if the student experiences homesickness, cultural shock, or other personal issues.

You need to provide emotional support at all times – sounds challenging, right?

Hosting a foreign exchange student is a good opportunity to learn about other people’s lives, forge lifelong connections, and create cherished memories.

However, there are also the rough moments.

As a host, you have to be the student’s support system in good and bad times.

In addition, if you get emotionally attached to the student, it can be hard to let go at the end of the program.

If you’re considering hosting a student, consider the pros and cons before you make your final decision.

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