EF High School Exchange Year

EF High School Exchange Year connects international high school students from Europe and Asia with American host families through a Department of State-designated J-1 student exchange program. The organization operates through EF Educational Foundation for Foreign Study, a non-profit corporation that has successfully placed over 100,000 international students in American homes since 1979.

Host Family Programs

Standard Host Family Program:
- Families commit to hosting a student for one semester or one full academic year
- 300+ student profiles from 13 countries available for selection
- Advanced filtering system allows families to find students by interests and country of origin
- Students integrate as family members, not guests

Welcome Family Program:
- Ideal for families hesitant about long-term commitments
- Host for 2-3 months initially while permanent families are identified
- Same support services as standard program
- Option to transition to long-term hosting if desired

Student Support Services

• Comprehensive local and regional coordinator network within driving distance
• Proactive outreach and individualized support throughout the exchange
• Full-time EF staff available for additional assistance
• Student services include working with schools to facilitate enrollment

Host Family Requirements

• Host parents must be 25+ years old
• Background check required
• Stable and suitable household environment
• No financial compensation provided (prohibited by US Department of State)
• Tax deduction eligibility may apply as participant is a citizen ambassador
• Diverse family structures welcome: single people, same-sex couples, grandparents, families with/without children

Student Responsibilities

• Students cover all travel costs, health insurance, school expenses, cell phone, and personal spending money
• Expectation to participate as full family member rather than guest
• Access to same support network as host families
• Emergency placement services available if incompatibility issues arise

Selection Process

• Rigorous screening and preparation process for students
• Only students capable of flourishing in intercultural exchanges are accepted
• 40+ years of matching experience between students and families
• Personalized matching assistance available