Hosting an Exchange Student

I was an exchange student during the summer of 1977, to Kenya East Africa. I went through the American Field Service (http://afs.org/afs_or/home). I stayed with a family for two and a half months on the coast in the city of Mombasa, and I was able to attend school for one month because their school calendar was different from ours. It was a wonderful experience. I made many friends and have had several contacts with my host family over the years until just recently when I lost track of them. My host brother and sister moved to the US but I have not been able to locate them. I believe I have some "nephews and nieces". As a member of the AFS club in high school I had contact with several students who visited our high school from other countries (Norway is one in particular that I remember, probably because he was totally adorable and rather ...er... friendly). I had friends from my own school that visited France, Japan, and other countries as well. Exchange students can be a very rich experience for their host schools and families. The world that opens up to an exchange student is unique for each student and most always totally amazing.

All I know is during school, an exchange student was very well received. I'm sure you'll be great hosts to an exchange student.