A CRAZY INTERNATIONAL FAMILY


WHY A BLOG?
The Story
Since we started hosting international exchange students we get asked a lot of questions: Why? How? Are you insane? We also get questions from new host families trying to navigate the exchange year. So I decided to write about my experiences and maybe answer some questions, or even better encourage someone to open their homes and hearts (Eek! Cliche I know!) to a student or two.
Preparing for an Unusual Exchange Year: 2020-2021
The Covid-19 virus has come through and rocked all our worlds and continues to cause havoc worldwide. But it seems that things are slowly...
So, Now What?
So, our students for this year (class of 2020) have been gone, back to their home countries, for two weeks now. While I am still upset...
Are You Ready to Host an Exchange Student? Is it For You?
Are you ready for your life to change for 10 months? Are you ready to open your heart and home to foreign teenager? Are you ready to...
Homesickness: It Happens
Homesickness happens. It does not happen to all students, it doesn’t always look the same, and it doesn’t happen at the same time for...
Money Matters: Budgeting and ExchangeMoney Matters: Budgeting and Exchange
Teenagers and money are a bad combination. And that is the blog post. Ha. Just kidding. Maybe. But in all seriousness, most exchange...
The Horror Story
Everyone involved in exchange students has heard a horror story, but this is the exception not the rule. As humans we tend review or...
Taboo Topics: Sex, Religion, and Politics
In polite society we tend to veer away from the taboo topics of sex, religion, and politics; though I personally believe talking about...
Grades: Despite What Your Student Might Think, They Are Important
Most of our students have had fantastic grades throughout their exchange year. But there are some that struggle a bit more. Some of this...
Touch Down: The Airport Pick Up
The big day has finally come!!! OMG!!! This post will be all about the airport pick-up. Ready? Start with checking in with your student...
American Friends: Does Your Student Have Any?
For some reason exchange students making friends here in America seems to be an issue across the board this year (2019/2020). This is our...
An Introduction
Who am I and who are we? I reference “I’ and “we” and “us” all the time and you might be asking who are these people? Who are the Crazy...
Is Hosting Parenting?
I am not a parent. I AM a host parent. So when hosting exchange students you are their custodian. You are a stand in parent and can make...
Utilizing Your Support Team: the IEC
Your International Exchange Coordinator (IEC) (lingo alert) is your first stop for questions or concerns during your exchange year (and...
High School Exchange is NOT High School Musical: Managing Expectations
Expectations. We have them. The students have them. Their parents have them. The school has them. The exchange organization has them....
A Vow of Communication
Communication is key. A super cliché saying that is super cliché for a reason. Communication can solve so many problems! Everyone from...
The Nightmare of Phones and Social Media
If you have teens or have ever seen a teen you know that they have permanently attached their phones to their bodies. And if they some...
Rules to Survive the Exchange Year
Make rules. If you have kids, expand on their rules. If you don’t have kids (in living the house), make rules. It is better to have too...
It’s a teen! Preparing for Your Student’s Arrival
The days, weeks, and months have flown by and now it’s very close to the arrival of your exchange student! Yay! The anticipation has...
Tis the Season for Holiday Traditions and Homesickness
We are in the midst of the holiday season and we are wishing all tidings of comfort and joy but is your exchange student truly feeling...





















