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.