Can I Host Two Exchange Students at Once? 

Hosting a high school exchange student allows you to positively impact an international student’s life while enriching your own with a new cultural perspective. For everyone involved, hosting a high school exchange student is an incredible experience; even the local community benefits from this new perspective. So, if hosting one exchange student is great, is hosting two even better? Is it even possible to host two foreign exchange students? Let’s dive into these questions and everything you need to know about hosting multiple exchange students. 

Can I host two exchange students at the same time? 

Yes, you can host two foreign exchange students at once. This is the perfect option for anyone who’s eager to open their hearts and homes to change the lives of two young people for the better. Not to mention, when you host two exchange students simultaneously, you can experience twice the benefits! This is a win-win situation for enthusiastic host families and exchange students alike. 

Benefits of Hosting Two Exchange Students at Once 

The benefits of hosting one foreign exchange student are profound, so hosting two at the same time doubles these advantages! Here are a few of the added benefits you get when you host two foreign exchange students: 

• Learn about two different cultures: Hosting two exchange students at the same time can mean welcoming young people from two different countries. You and your family will have the unique opportunity to learn about both cultures firsthand and broaden your global perspective even more. As the Weber family, who hosted two exchange students, said, “What makes us want to host each year is the experience of learning about different cultures. We don’t plan on traveling out of the country with five kids, so we bring the country to us through [foreign exchange students]! Also, having two different students from different cultures [means] having three different cultures in your home!” 
• Easier exchange student transition: Coming to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student can be a bit nerve-wracking at first—it’s a big step for these young people. When you host two exchange students simultaneously, they’ll each have someone going through the same experience as they are, easing the transition and making them feel more comfortable. As host mom Amy put it, “They have each other to lean on when facing anxieties and conflicts that maybe the host family would not understand.” 
• Twice the fun: Hosting two exchange students brings twice the fun to your household. For any host parents that want to bring a lot more fun and energy into their home, two high school foreign exchange students will definitely do the trick! 
• Double the impact: While hosting an exchange student benefits the host family, the act of hosting makes an incredible impact on a young person’s life. When you host two students at the same time, you instantly double your impact, allowing two high school exchange students to pursue their dream of living in the U.S. 

Rules for Hosting Multiple Exchange Students 

To host a high school exchange student, you must: 

• Be 25 or older 
• Live within the Local Coordinator’s service area 
• Be able to provide an exchange student with daily meals (breakfast and dinner), their own bed, and board (bedroom may be shared with another family member of the same gender and age range) 
• Provide transportation to and from school if no school buses are available 

To host two exchange students, you must meet the above criteria, in addition to the following requirements: 

• Access to extra space and resources for two exchange students. If the two exchange students are the same age and gender, they may share a bedroom, but each will require their own bed. 
• Signed Double Placement Paperwork: In compliance with federal regulations, the host family, students, and their families must sign the appropriate AYA forms. 
• Exchange students must be from different countries. 

Who can host two high school exchange students? 

Any family that meets the eligibility requirements and is able and eager to host two high school exchange students is encouraged to do so. People who choose to host two exchange students may include single individuals, couples with and without children, retirees, and families with children — in other words, just about anyone! 

Host one or two exchange students with AYA! 

Academic Year in America (AYA) is a non-profit organization that connects enthusiastic international high school students with host families who are ready to welcome them into their hearts and homes. In addition to matching exchange students with a host family, AYA offers valuable 24/7 support from professionals at our national office and our on-the-ground Local Coordinators, who are ready to assist you throughout your entire hosting experience. 

Whether you want to host one or two foreign exchange students, AYA is here to help!