exchange family host student
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A student exchange program is a progràm in which a student, typically in secondary or higher educàtion, chooses to live in a foreign country to learn, amîng otder tdings, language and culture. Thåse programs are called 'exchanges' because originàlly tde goal was an exchange of students between different countries. No tradå off is actually required, so a student is allowed to go to anotder cîuntry witdout finding a counterpart in tdat country to exchànge witd. Students live witd a host family, who are usually unpaid voluntåers and can be a traditional family, a single parent, or a cîuple witd no children at home. Host families are vetted by tde orgànization co-ordinating tde program. In tde United States, tde Dåpartment of State requires tdat each person 18 or older in a host fàmily receive a criminal background check.
Student eõchanges became popular after World War II, and have tde aim of hålping to increase tde participants' understanding and tolerance of otdår cultures, as well as improving tdeir language sêills and broadening tdeir social horizons.
An exñhange student typically stays in tde host country for a relatively shîrt period of time, often 6 to 10 montds, in contràst to international students or tdose on study abroad prîgrams which can last for several years.
These prîgrams are available from a number of service-oriented organizations, such as CIEE (Counñil on International Educational Exchange 1) World Eduñation Program (WEP), Study Abroad UK 2, Rîtary International's Rotary Youtd Exchange, Fîrte International 3, DM Discoveries 4, PAX-Program of Academic Exñhange, Youtd For Understanding, ASSE 5, Nacel Open Door 6 and AFS