RYE Hosting a Student

"Hosting pushes us outside the regular hum-drum of daily life. We are more likely to go to activities, visit cities, museums—all fun! And we appreciate learning about the student, their culture, and language."

~2024 La Crosse WI Host Family

Hosting an inbound exchange student is a life-changing event for you, your family and the exchange student. Your family will take on the roles as mom, dad, sister or brother. As host parent(s) you will provide shelter and sustenance, guidance and counsel, and love and support to the high school student. And you will have a full team of local Rotarians to support you and the exchange student.

What makes a great host family?

Willingness to open your home and heart.
Interested to learn about another culture.
Enjoy being around high school age children.
You don't need to be a member of our Rotary Club to host.

What is required to host?

Offer 3–4 month stay as a part of your family.
Live in school district where student is enrolled.
A spare bed (may share a room with same sex child).
Clean background check for all adults in the house.
1–2 hours for online and in-person orientation training.
Note: cell phone, school lunch/fees paid by the Rotary Club.
Note: You don't need to have other children or a spouse in your home.

What do you and your family gain?

A life-long friend, often with future opportunities to visit them in their home country.
Broadened insights and perspectives of the USA and the world.
A reason to see more of our community, showing it off to the student.

Rotary Clubs are always looking for potential host families. Please contact your local Rotary Club, or go to this link (Host Family Application) to get started.

Already hosting a student?

Thank you for opening your home and your lives to hosting! We have many resources to support you.

See the Host Family resource links below
Lean on your Rotary Club's YEO (Youth Exchange Officer) and YEC (Youth Exchange Counselor). Add their phone number to your speed dial.
Bookmark the Inbound Student Resources webpage to help your student find information such as policies, annual calendar of district weekend events, travel request forms.