An acquaintance approached me asking if I might be interested in hosting an exchange student from Australia for a semester. They apparently work/volunteer for a student exchange organization.

I have a spare bedroom and bathroom, and the additional grocery/utility expenses would be no issue.

Anyone done this before? What were your thoughts?

"One night at band camp..."

I jest. I think it would be great, and something I'd be interested in doing.

Done it three different years, two years from Japan (two students each year), one from Poland (one student), yes, do it.

If she is 18 and has bodacious ta-tas, I might consider it.

Never seen them roomed with a family that didn't also have a student of similar age. Wouldn't have thought that'd be acceptable in the new world order.

It’s same age and gender with the study abroad opportunities available through the Rotary Club.

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Originally posted by wolfe 21:
Never seen them roomed with a family that didn't also have a student of similar age. Wouldn't have thought that'd be acceptable in the new world order.

I was under the same impression, but apparently that's not a requirement. They utilize families with kids, families without kids, single parents, and single adults without any kids.

I've known a few who have done this. Most have very positive experiences. I think that is because most kids interested in the program would be outgoing personality types. The typical housebound, gaming nerd type isn't generally going to apply to the program.
Having said that, I've heard of matches that were less than pleasant for the host. I'd make sure I had an out if you were matched with a nut job.

We have hosted 3 times, once for a school year, once for a semester and once for a month.

Longer was a better all around experience as they were here to learn language and experience.

shorter was more of a hotel stay. :-)

It was not all roses, you are bringing in a teenager, and teens are teens, but we had no behavorial issues.

We learned as much from them as they did from us, and overall the experience was one I will always be glad to have had.

Neighbors across the street from us did last year for a semester. Just be aware you may need to drive them around to various activities during their stay.

We hosted one from Germany when I was 13 and it was a great experience. I went on a lot of the trips and outings with his group, though they were all several years older than me. An Austrian girl from that group is still my best friend in the world and I've been to visit her and her family at least 20-25x. It also moved me to learn German, which is now as good as my English. And I was an exchange student in Germany both in high school and again in college.

The first German family kicked me out of the house two weeks before I was to go home. It was insane, but led t much better things. The second family that took me in had left E. Germany in the early 50s when their land was confiscated and collectivized. While I was there, their old neighbor, then retired and thus allowed to travel outside of E. Germany, was visiting and we became great friends. She arranged for a permit for me to come stay with them in E. Germany the summer before the Wall fell. I am still very close with all those families, even patched things up with the one that kicked me out. I go back to see them about once a year.

My ex-wife and I hosted exchange students twice many years ago; one girl from Slovakia and another from Germany.

It was especially interesting to host the Slovakian girl as it was shortly after the break up of their country and end of communism. She was enthralled at our society and what was available here.

Overall it was a good experience, but be prepared to lose your privacy and freedom.

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The first German family kicked me out of the house two weeks before I was to go home.

That's probably an interesting story!

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She arranged for a permit for me to come stay with them in E. Germany the summer before the Wall fell.

That, too!

Soviet air base in E. Germany. I was not supposed to be here.

We hosted a girl from Italy in 2018, full school term.
We have younger girls.
Was an interesting experience & would consider doing again, but don't really have the room for it anymore since we moved.

Email in my profile if you want to chat about the experience.

A friend of mine has hosted probably ten or more over the years and has had good experiences with most of them. He has actuallt gone to stay with their families several times.

Jim

I hosted a German student (female, 15) and a Turkish one (male, 16). I am married and for the first my sons were 4 and 2, then 12 and ten.

I felt is was very rewarding. My wife loved the girl, but the boy energy was a lot for her.

Honestly I don't know if I would do it if I was single in this environment, which sucks on ice but there it is.

I’ve been hosted in Korea by families. Part of an immersion.

Was a nice experience, but is 100% based on the visitors personality.

How long is the duration? Or did I miss it?

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Originally posted by OttoSig:
How long is the duration? Or did I miss it?

One semester. August-December.