Can you imagine the experience of hosting a foreign Exchange student in your home?? 

Every year more than 8,000 students who participate a culture and educational exchange program called Rotary Youth Exchange. A critical component to the exchange program is the Host Families who open their home to a student from another country while they attend a year of high school in Southern, IL. Here are a few highlights of being a Host Family. 

  • Exchange students come from across the globe and are between 15-18 years old
  • The student will attend your local high school
  • As a host family you will host the student for 3-4 months of there year long exchange. Each student lives with 3 families during their exchange
  • The student will live with you just as another member of your family, and often the relationship built last years beyond the exchange year
  • You will receive support, training and advice for your local Rotary Club while hosting the exchange student
“We couldn’t know how much our exchange student would come to touch our hearts. We thought we were providing him with a home but what we got in return was so much more.”
— Wilcox Family, Hosted a Taiwanese Student
“Hosting an exchange student was a truly enriching experience for our family. We learned so much about a different culture and the perspectives others have about the United States. Our insights on the world were greatly expanded. More importantly, our hearts were forever touched as our exchange student has become a “forever member” of our family.”
— Benway Family, Hosted a French student

Check out this video to learn more about Becoming a Host Family!

If you are interested in being a Rotary Youth Exchange Host Family please CLICK HERE learn more about the program and host family responsibilities. 

When you are ready to apply to be a host family you can access the online application at the link below: 

Host Family application

If you would like to learn more about the Rotary Youth Exchange program; including hosting an exchange student or your student going on an exchange, please attend on of our information sessions this fall. 

O'Fallon, IL Info Session: 6:30 pm on Thursday September 7, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church; 520 E Hwy 50, O'Fallon, IL 62269

Carbondale, IL Info Session: 6:30 pm  on Wednesday September 6, 2017 at Carbondale High School; 1301 E Walnut St, Carbondale, IL 62901