Visiting international students ages 15 - 17 years old are seeking host families in the area for an academic year or semester. Exchange students from countries such as Spain, Poland, Brazil, Italy, Thailand, France, South Korea, Hungary, Netherlands, Switzerland, Mexico, and Germany become members of their host families while learning their family’s traditions and sharing their own. It’s a great way to learn a new culture and add a little spark to your daily routine while promoting international diplomacy at a local level.
The sponsoring program is Forte International Exchange Association (FIEA), a non-profit organization who has offered the opportunity for academic and cultural exchange to international high school students who would like to come to the United States on a J-1 visa since 2000.
Host families can be married or single adults (25 years or older), with or without children. Host families can have children in the house or be empty nesters. Host families reflect the diversity of American culture! In addition, host families provide a room/ shared room, three meals a day and loving support, as well as a desire to share American culture and learn about a new one.
Host families may select a student that best fits in with their own family. FIEA’s exchange students are some of the brightest; the criteria for their student selection includes qualifying in English and academic ability, demonstrating maturity and flexibility, and having a desire to promote cross-cultural understanding. All Forte students speak English, bring their own money for personal expenses, and are fully medically insured.
To learn more about the possibility of becoming a host family, please contact FIEA Regional Director Heidi Morlock at 605-228- 6180 or heidim@forteexchange. org. Or simply go to www.forteexchange.org and click host families.
