In 4 Steps, You Can Change A Life!

Host An International Student!

How Does It Work?

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Step 1: Apply

Complete our online application, background check, and paperwork.

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Step 2: LC

Be assigned a Local Coordinator to assist with the full hosting process.

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Step 3: Search

Search the student database and find a great addition to your family!

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Step 4: Welcome

Welcome your new international student into your heart and home!

Host An Exchange Student
Host A Student for FLAG
Ready to Impact A Culture? Change A Life?
Host An Exchange Student!

Each year, FLAG brings more than 500 students from over 25 countries into the U.S. on FLAG programs to study in high schools & universities and live with host families. Choosing to become a host parent means you are willing to accept an international exchange student into your home and provide a loving, nurturing family environment. When you host, you will open yourself and your loved ones to a new world of culture and unforgettable experiences!

Apply Online

Hosting FAQs

You've Got Questions. We've Got Answers.
All types of families are encouraged to host with FLAG. There is no “typical” host family - they come in all shapes and sizes. Even single people are welcome. Each family is unique and provides the student with a genuine immersion experience.
In a recent survey conducted by CSIET (Council on Standards for International and Educational Travel), host families across the U.S. indicated that their decision to host is largely based on the benefits the experience brings to themselves, their community, the students, and the world community. Hosting is an opportunity to introduce the world to family members who may not have had the opportunity to travel abroad but are keenly interested in learning more about the world around them. Hosting not only provides an unforgettable experience to the international students but also brings families closer together by actively sharing their own unique family customs and traditions. Siblings take an active part in showing the student “the American way of life”. Many host families have commented throughout the years that hosting was something that changed their own children’s lives forever.
The student comes with their own spending money, round trip airplane ticket, and full medical insurance.
Student may participate in a semester (5 month) or year (10 month) program. There is also an option for a shorter stay with FLAG’s specialized Short-Term Programs.

If you are interested in becoming a host parent, FLAG invites you to complete our online host family application. On the application, you’ll be asked to write about yourself, your household, your community and your lifestyle. After the application is submitted, the host family is required to complete background checks and paperwork (*Please note that all household members aged 18 and older are required to complete a criminal background check). From there, the family will be contacted by a FLAG Local Coordinator who will assist with the entire process which includes a family interview in your home, reviewing student profiles and making a match. Afterward, your assigned FLAG Local Coordinator will also assist with the arrival, departure and support of your student, as well as supporting you and your family throughout the entire exchange experience.

If you would like to learn about the hosting experience as a whole, FLAG invites you to contact us directly at 1-800-942-3524 (FLAG) or via email at contact@flag-intl.org.

The best advice FLAG can give any host family is this - treat the student as you would your own child. Students are to follow the exact same rules as the rest of the host siblings (same curfews, same chores, etc.). This is the best way to make the student feel like they are part of the family versus treating them “special” or as a guest. International students dream of being a part of an American family and experiencing 100% immersion into American culture. What better way to do this than to include them in the American day-to-day experience, even if it means washing dishes!

FLAG host families are asked to provide students three quality meals a day, a place to sleep and study, and a loving and supportive environment. There is no requirement for students to have their own bedroom.
FLAG has great success in placing the right participants with the right host parents. Although, we do understand that sometimes a problem or issue may arise. FLAG provides extensive personalized support throughout the year directly to both the host family and the student. Each family is assigned a local FLAG Coordinator. However, if further issues arise or the placement does not work out satisfactorily, FLAG assumes responsibility to move the participant to another host family.
Host families in the FLAGship program are not paid but are entitled to a tax deduction for each month they host. Per Federal Regulatory Guidelines, host families may not be compensated.
Yes, all FLAG students have demonstrated a specific level of proficiency in English. Each FLAG student comes to the U.S. with a desire to immerse themselves in the language and to improve their level of proficiency.
FLAG students come from more than 25 countries and are seen as role models and leaders in their home communities by demonstrating maturity and motivation to study abroad.
Yes! All FLAG students and their natural parents are informed about FLAG's program rules as part of the application process and sign an Agreement to abide by them. All students attend specialized orientation meetings before departing their home country and after arrival in the U.S. Violation of program rules may result in disciplinary actions including the possibility of program termination depending on seriousness. Host parents also receive a specialized orientation prior to arrival of the student, and are provided with a Host Family Handbook, which contains information on all program rules.
FLAG must receive authorization from the school before enrolling the exchange student. FLAG has worked with hundreds of schools and ensures that students are in compliance with school policies. FLAG Local Coordinators work together with the host family to enroll the exchange student and are available to support the school throughout the year.
Yes, however the FLAG exchange student must be enrolled at an accredited high school and cannot be home-schooled with their host siblings. The U.S. Department of State regulations "require all exchange students to be enrolled and participating in a full course of study at an accredited academic institution" as secondary school students. Therefore, FLAG cannot allow an exchange student to be home-schooled.