June 23, 2014, Washington, D.C. American Councils for International Education, an international nonprofit with 40 years of experience in international education, is now inviting American families to host international high school exchange students for the 2014-2015 school year.
American Councils welcomes all types of families interested in hosting an exchange student. Our host families are as varied as the US population itself, from single parents to couples without children, military families, empty nesters, and retirees. The requirements are straightforward: host families must speak English with their student; provide a supportive environment, a bed to sleep in, and three meals a day; and a window into American life.
"The best part of hosting is when the student stops becoming an exchange student and becomes a member of the family. Sometimes it takes days, sometimes it takes months, but it eventually always happens," said Dennis Daniel, an American Councils host parent in Illinois.
Our students are exceptional. We work exclusively with scholarship students, ages 15-17, from over 50 countries across the globe. Over 25,000 students have participated so far and have volunteered over 1 million hours in the US communities in which they lived! All students earn the right to represent their countries and are proficient in English, academically accomplished, and possess the leadership qualities, maturity, and ability to adapt to a new cultural environment and life with an American host family.
"Hosting is not only a great way to share your culture and community with our young scholars, but a great way to learn about yourself and the world. Plus, it's a lot of fun!" said Benjamin Gaylord, a senior program manager for American Councils.
American Councils has confirmed high school availability for international students in communities across the United States, but is still looking for families of all stripes to welcome the students as a host family for the academic year. Interested applicants should visit https://www.americancouncils.org/host, email inbound@americancouncils.org, or call 202-833-7522.
American Councils students come to the US with full health insurance, a monthly stipend, and are supported in their community by a local representative to help both the student and the host family throughout the year.
ABOUT AMERICAN COUNCILS
American Councils for International Education (www.americancouncils.org) is a premier, international nonprofit creating educational opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in our interconnected world. Through academic exchanges, overseas language immersion, and educational development programs, American Councils designs and administers innovative programs that broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge, and deepen understanding.
American Councils is a grantee organization of the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and is accredited by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET).