We are looking for future host families!

Every year we welcome high school exchange students from all over the world. Being brave and curious, those students confront the unknown to learn and explore a new country for 3, 5, or 10 months.

Would you and your family like to welcome a young person between 14–18 and be part of this unique experience? You will learn about another culture, gain new perspectives, enrich your life with a new family member, and create unforgettable memories together!

We welcome students to Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. Learn more about becoming an STS host family in your home country below.

Read about being a host family in Austria
Read about being a host family in Denmark
Read about being a host family in Finland
Read about being a host family in Germany
Read about being a host family in the Netherlands
Read abou being a host family in New Zealand
Read about being a host family in Norway
Read about being a host family in Sweden
Read about being a host family in Switzerland

Why become a host family?

• Experience a different culture.
• Enrich the everyday life of your family and your host student.
• Enable a fantastic and life-changing experience for a curious, young person.
• Have a meaningful experience for your whole family.
• Gain an extra family member and a life-long friend.

How it works to be a host family

1. You make an application on the website (or call us).
2. We contact you and make a home visit.
3. You are presented with a number of students.
4. You choose a student whom you think will fit in with your family.

Since 1958 we have made it possible for over 1,200,000 youngsters to discover the world and themselves. This couldn't be done without our amazing host families who open their homes to enable this fantastic phenomenon that we call cultural exchange. We at STS organize everything regarding the student’s preparations, school placement, visa, insurance, and travel details. You will have a local contact person dedicated to you and your student.

Host & Go discount

Is one of your family members going on exchange with STS? Perfect! You will receive a discount on the program fee if you become a host family before, during, or after your family member‘s exchange. You can read about being a host family in your home country below.

Do you want to know more about hosting?

We are looking for host families in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. You can read about being a host family in your home country below. There you will also find FAQs that most certainly will answer some of your questions. But don't hesitate to contact us, if you have further questions.

What do previous host family say?

”To become a host family is the best decision we ever made”

"Being a host family is inspiring and makes a lasting impression. Everyone in the family gains new perspectives and a friend for life.”

“It has been great to experience how they develop in language, life, school, socially, and how they absorb our culture. We often discussed differences and similarities, politics, and social structures. Everyone in the family learned from it.”

“Some of our relatives feared that we would get a lot of "extra work" by accepting an exchange student. But it was quite the opposite! It has enriched our family and it was lucky that we dared to say yes.”