Host
Host an international student and bring the world to you.
Travel the world without leaving home by hosting an international student.
Hosting an international student is a truly rewarding experience that not only enriches your family’s daily life but also provides a unique opportunity for shared learning and cultural exchange.
In our hosting programs, we take it one step further by matching your family with a student who is the same age, gender, and has similar interests as one of your children. The hope is to create a life-long friendship and connection that will open the doors for future opportunities for your entire family.
How it Works
Your family has the opportunity to host a student from 1-4 weeks this upcoming year. In all of our programs, your family will be carefully matched with a student who is the same age, gender, and has similar interests as one of your children.
Throughout the program, Live N Learn will organize group activities that are FREE for your family and student. You will also have the full support of our team to ensure that the experience is successful and truly rewarding.
Spain Programs
July –
This program is four weeks long, beginning late June/early July, and includes 2 group activities per week. A group of students ages 12 to 18 travel from all over Spain to stay with host families in the U.S. Spanish students are matched with host students based on age, gender, and interests. The students are immersed into the lives of the families and become like another family member! They can even travel with their host families and join American students for camps, sports, and other activities. Families can host for 1-4 weeks as students may have up to two host families. These programs are offered in the following cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Kalamazoo, and Lexington.
August/September –
This program is four weeks long, beginning in mid-August, and includes 3-4 group activities throughout the month. Scholarship recipients, ages 16-17, come from the Canary Islands to stay with host families and shadow classes at their high school. Spanish students are matched with host families based on age, gender, and interests. They will participate in classes and complete any coursework, but do not receive transcripts or official grades. Host families must host all four weeks. This program is currently offered at select schools in Greater Cincinnati.
France Programs
July –
This program is three weeks long, July 7-27, and includes 2 group activities per week. A group of students ages 12 to 18 travel from all over France to stay with host families in the U.S. French students are matched with host students based on age, gender, and interests. The students are immersed into the lives of the families and become like another family member! They can even travel with their host families and join American students for camps, sports, and other activities. Families can host for 1-3 weeks as students may have up to two host families. This program is currently only offered in Greater Cincinnati.
Flex Connect –
In this program French students travel independently for 2-5 weeks over the summer. They create an account on a secure online portal including photos, a bio, and other information. Host families do the same and set the dates they are available to host. After being vetted by the Local Coordinator, their profile is accessible to students. French students can request a family to be their host family, the family then can accept or deny the request. Once a match is made, the French family will make travel arrangements. Students travel to and from their host families independently and there are no group events. Families receive a $75 weekly stipend in order to do fun activities with their French guest. This program is offered in any city in which there is a Local Coordinator and does not occur during fixed dates. 2024 Program Locations: Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver and Lexington.
Become a host family
Ready to host?
FAQ’s
Who can host?
Any family with a child from 12-18 years old is eligible to participate in the Live N Learn Host Family Program. Families may have any religious or ethnic background, but must commit to speaking exclusively English at home while they are hosting a student. Families should have a desire to share their interests and the American way of life with an international student and have an open mind to learning about their student’s customs and culture.
What are the expectations for host families?
Host families are expected to treat their international student as a member of the family and not as a guest. They are expected to give their student a true American experience by sharing everyday experiences and events with them, such as birthday parties, holiday traditions, family meals, sporting events, movies, and even household chores. They must provide the international student with a bed, which can be in a shared room with a sibling of the same gender and close in age. They will also need to provide three meals a day. Families are also expected to provide transportation to group activities up to a few times a week (car pools can be arranged!). The main host student is expected to attend activities with the international guest.
Will we get paid for hosting?
Host families are volunteers. Although there is no direct monetary compensation, Live N Learn will pay for the American students to participate in all organized group activities, many of which have entrance fees. Additionally, families who host a student and then travel with a Live N Learn program will receive a discount on their program abroad.
How will we be paired with a student?
Live N Learn matches families and students based on the age, gender and interests of the American host student and international student. We do our best to assure that your family and the student you host share common interests and lifestyles. We personally interview all families and students and also have both parties fill out a questionnaire in order to make the best matches possible.
What should we do with our students?
Students come to the U.S. to live with a host family and learn what daily life is like for American families. Live N Learn expects families to include their student in their normal everyday activities. You are welcome to show them what’s special about your city or plan a few outings, but Live N Learn does not expect families to make extravagant plans or spend a lot of money to entertain their student.
What type of support will we receive?
Before the program begins there will be a meeting with all host families to go over guidelines and answer any questions that you may have. During the program there will be Live N Learn staff living in the community and they will be accessible by phone 24 hours/day. Students will always be accompanied during any group activity by Live N Learn staff.
Are there rules for international students?
International students are expected to obey all the Live N Learn rules and policies that are applicable while on their program. Should a student break a rule such as driving, hitchhiking, drinking, or partaking in illegal drugs, they will have their program terminated. Students are expected to obey U.S. laws and customs and follow any household rules that your family might have. Within your home, you may set consequences for the student as if he/she were your own child. Please contact Live N Learn if a student breaks a rule or there are any serious discipline issues and the LNL team will follow disciplinary protocol for all students in violation of our policies or procedures. You will be provided with information on Live N Learn rules and policies, at or before your pre-arrival orientation for host families.
Why should I become a host family?
Welcoming an exchange student into your home is a fun way for your family to learn about another country, its people, language, and customs. This gives your children an opportunity to have a global perspective from a young age and also gives them the chance to learn or practice another language. It is also a great way to make friendships in different countries and open up travel opportunities for your family.
How long can we host?
Host families can welcome an international student into their home for 1-4 weeks in the month of July. There is also a 4 week hosting program available during the month of August in some cities. Host families can welcome a student from France into their home for 1-8 weeks during the summer. We also have the opportunity for you to host for a full school year.
Is hosting expensive?
While there is no direct “fee” for hosting, an additional person in your home does, naturally, increase the cost of food, transportation, and activities you do as a family. However, international students come with their own spending money and are expected to pay for their own leisure activities.
Will the students speak English?
All international students have undergone an interview process and have done oral and written activities to verify that they possess a high enough level of English to participate in a homestay. At first, it may be difficult for students to get used to your accent or to feel confident and comfortable speaking, so just be patient, don’t speak too fast, and avoid using difficult idioms.
Are there organized group activities?
Yes! Host students and international students will participate in weekly activities/outings. These will be FREE and fun activities like rafting, sand volleyball, going to a baseball game, playing laser tag, etc. If your family has a trip planned or other prior obligations, please consult us. The international student may either be able to accompany your family or we can arrange alternate plans for them.
What if we have a problem with our student?
If problems arise between your family and the international student, Live N Learn will be there to provide support and guidance. We are available to assist you 24 hours a day and there will be Live N Learn staff accessible at a moment’s notice.
Please be patient at first with your student and give them a chance to get comfortable and open up to your family. Traveling across the world to a foreign country with a different language and culture can be frightening and some students may initially be shy and reserved. If it turns out that differences cannot be resolved, Live N Learn will help the student transition to a new home. We are committed to ensuring that both students and host families have a positive exchange experience.
What if the student needs medical treatment?
All students also come with approved health, accident, and liability insurance valid in the United States, so families will not need to pay any medical expenses if an accident or injury were to occur. If it is an emergency, families should take the student straight to the nearest hospital and call the LNL Local Coordinator while en route. If it is something minor, families should call the LNL Local Coordinator and they will give the family instructions on where to take the student and remind the student what they should bring with them.