For the Hub City Times

Cambridge, MA – EF High School Exchange Year has kicked off its annual nationwide search for caring host families to welcome exchange students into their homes. Last year EF connected nearly 3,000 exchange students from around the world with families across the United States, and they are expecting to place the same number for 2019-2020

All exchange students are between 15-18 years old, coming from one of 13 countries around the world. Students live in the United States for one or two semesters and attend the local high school. According to Jessica Nowaczyk, an International Exchange Coordinator who helps find homes for exchange students in Marshfield and Auburndale, host families come in all shapes and sizes.

“Host families really represent the diversity of American culture, coming from all kinds of economic, religious, and social backgrounds,” said Nowaczyk.  “Some are parents looking to give their own children a glimpse of the world without having to travel themselves. Others have no children, or their children have grown up and moved out, and they’re looking for new ways to connect to their communities. Still others just want to help promote global understanding right in their own backyard. There are so many reasons why families welcome a student into their home.”

EF High School Exchange Year, operated by EF Educational Foundation for Foreign Study, Inc.,

is a non-profit corporation designated by the U.S. Department of State to operate a J-1 student exchange program. EF brings more students to the U.S. each year than any other high school exchange program, and since 1979, the organization has connected more than 100,000 international students with caring host families across the United States.

Interested families in Marshfield and Auburndale may contact Nowaczyk directly at 715-305-1570 or jessica.nowaczyk@efexchangeyear.org, or visit efexchangeyear.org.