Communicating with your exchange student

Taking the time to connect with your exchange student before their arrival can help set the stage for a successful experience. Your student may also feel that same mix of excitement and nerves, so learning more about each other and discussing practical matters will put you both at ease as you begin to build a lasting connection.

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Ways to connect

As a first step, we recommend sending an introductory email to your student. This is an exciting moment for them, as it’s the moment they have been waiting for, perhaps for months or even years. Keep in mind that teenagers may not check email as frequently as adults.

After that first email, you may want to connect with them on social media and introduce them to other family members. If you have neighbours or family friends who also attend the school, consider connecting them with your student. That way, your student can have a few familiar faces on their first day of school.

Introduce yourself

Your student has only been given a brief overview of your family including your name, age, address, occupation, religion, hobbies, pets and community size, as well as the letter you wrote in your application to host. Since you have read your student's full application, you know much more about them than they know about you! Take this opportunity to share more about each member of the family, your dynamic together, your community and anything you’re hoping to do as a family.

When reaching out to your student be sure to include:

Your family dynamic

Why you decided to host
Your family’s values, personality traits, interests, favourite foods and hobbies

Local area information

What you love about life in your community
The weather and seasons
Any specific clothing they’ll need
Information about the school, such as the website, calendar of events, dress code, information on activities they can join and a list of classes they can take

Your expectations

Your house rules: curfew hours, chores, transportation with your family, electronic use in the house, meal time, time with friends, taking care of pets, etc.
Ways your student can be successful in your home

Your calendar of events

Monthly activities and plans around the holidays
Important dates, birthdays or functions they should know about
Any large expenses your student may need to discuss with their parents ahead of time, such as holidays or other travel

Ask them about

Their life back home
The correct way to pronounce their name
Their schedule and holiday traditions
Their favourite foods and activities
Which sports or activities they'd like to participate in
Whether or not they've had all their required vaccines
If anything has changed about their preferences since they applied for the programme

E.g., “I saw on your profile you said you like to play piano in your free time. Is that something you still enjoy? Would you like to play piano while on exchange?”

You can use this information to help your student feel welcomed upon arrival. Perhaps place something special in your student’s room!

Learn more about hosting an exchange student

Are you ready to experience a new culture at home? Connect with us and start your hosting journey now.

Tell us about yourself

Speak to an EF exchange advisor

Choose your exchange student

Communicating with your exchange student

Ways to connect

Introduce yourself

When reaching out to your student be sure to include:

Your family dynamic

Local area information

Your expectations

Your calendar of events

Ask them about

Before your student arrives

The first days

Life with your student

Other topics

Learn more about hosting an exchange student

Get started with hosting