Article – How a Summer Day Changed Everything
Video – Become a Host Family

As a host family for a Rotary exchange student, you assume parental responsibility for this young ambassador from another country, to provide shelter and sustenance, guidance and counsel, and love and support to the child of strangers who may live thousands of miles from you. They have their own insurance and pocket money – you will offer room and board. We do not pay any stipend to host families.

Rotary Clubs are always looking for potential host families. If you’d like to enrich your family’s experience by bringing in a Rotary exchange student, contact our Inbound Coordinator at D5160YEXInbound@gmail.com. And thanks so much for your interest!

What are the responsibilities of a host family? To accept the exchange student as a new member of your family. The student will be governed not only by the rules of the program but by the rules of your household. You are responsible for the safety of the exchange student the same as for your own children. Although you might become a bit more of the soccer mom or dad for normal everyday activities, it is not your responsibility to act as a taxi service or a tour guide. Rotarians from the hosting club will be helping in these areas.

Read more in the “Inbound and Host Family Handbook“.

Host Family Application

In accordance with regulations of the US Department of State, all host families are required to complete an application and submit it prior to hosting an exchange student. The application will require that you provide contact information for personal references; please note that these references may not be relatives or volunteers with D5160 Youth Exchange. It will also require you to have a home visit from a D5160 Youth Exchange volunteer which will include taking 5 photos of your home – one each of the exterior, the living room or family room, the kitchen, and the bedroom and bathroom that the student will use. We appreciate your cooperation and your willingness to host an exchange student for D5160 Youth Exchange. Contact our Inbound Coordinator at, D5160YEXInbound@gmail.com, to get started!

First Night Questions

Over the years, Rotary Exchange Students have found it helpful to have a list of questions to go over with their host families, shortly after arriving. These lists of “First Night Questions” have been compiled over that time, and are offered for student and host family use worldwide. Having these questions available in a variety of languages can be quite useful, but keep in mind that you have to be able to understand the answers as well!

First Night Questions can be found at the following link:
First Night Questions