CULLMAN, Ala. – More than 100 international students are in need of host families. Pam Ancelet, an international exchange coordinator with EF High School Exchange Year, is encouraging residents to consider opening their homes to exchange students for the upcoming school year.
She said the program connects students from Europe, Asia and South America with American families for a full academic year.
“It gives students the opportunity to be immersed in the English language and experience American culture,” said Ancelet. “They get to take part in traditions like Thanksgiving, which many of them have never experienced before.”
At the same time, host families gain a cultural exchange of their own.
“Families get to bring another culture into their home,” she said. “They learn about different traditions, holidays and ways of life from around the world.”
Despite the benefits, Ancelet said, many families hesitate to commit because the program begins in August, which can feel far away.
“Students go through extensive applications, interviews and background checks before being accepted,” she said. “We begin planning their travel and placements well before the school year ends.”
Hosting an exchange student involves welcoming them into the family. Families must provide a bedroom and meals, while students will participate in daily routines, including chores, school activities and community events.
“They become part of your household just like your own children,” Ancelet explained. “They also come with their own spending money and medical insurance, so families are not responsible for those expenses.”
Ancelet has hosted 23 students since 2005, and said the relationships formed through the program can last a lifetime.
“I still talk to my very first student regularly. I’ve attended a former student’s wedding in Colombia, and now some of my students have children of their own. I like to say I’m a foreign grandmother.”
She added that hosting has also created opportunities for her own family to travel and build international connections.
For families who may be unsure, Ancelet emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive and open mindset.
“Teenagers are teenagers no matter where they’re from, so there can be challenges. But coordinators are there every step of the way. We check in regularly and offer activities for students and families to connect,” she said.
Local coordinators also organize events throughout the year, such as seasonal gatherings, to help students experience American traditions and meet others in the program.
Families interested in hosting or learning more can contact Ancelet at 256-302-2422 or visit www.efexchangeyear.org.
