PAX host families are everywhere
In all 49 continental United States, on farms, in small towns, where the local high school enrolls just 100 students and where more than 2,000 students attend.

PAX host families come in all sizes and shapes
Single parents, retirees, "empty nesters", young couples with small children, as well as more traditional two parent families with teenagers, all are currently sharing and enjoying the exchange experience.

What PAX host families have in common
They're fond of young people. They are curious about other countries. They take pride in their own communities and would like to share what they value with others. They have open minds and generous hearts.

PAX host families provide a PAX student with what he needs for
a year
A PAX student expects just the chance to be a "son" or "daughter" in an American family. A PAX student's needs are simple - a bed of her own (many students share a bedroom), a quiet place to study, and an extra place at the table for meals normally taken at home.

PAX host families reap rich rewards
You will experience a foreign culture without ever leaving home. You'll have a chance to discover different holidays, other ways of thinking about the day's news, a different perspective on many things. Perhaps you'll learn a few phrases of a foreign language or try dishes from your student's homeland. You'll certainly grow to love the boy or girl who enters your home, a stranger in August, and leaves, a family member in June.
 
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Do host families get paid for sponsoring the home stay?
A: No, host families are not compensated financially for hosting a student. Community coordinators must assure that potential host families are financially secure and able to assume the costs of hosting a teenager for five or ten months.

Q: Do all students visiting the U.S. speak English?
A: All students are carefully screened and have three or more years of English study. While students do speak English, it is important to remember that PAX is an English-learning program.

Q: Do PAX students have responsibilities?
A: PAX students are expected to adapt to the host family's lifestyle and ground rules and to participate in family activities. PAX students know that this program is not a trip or a tour, but an academic home stay that requires work and effort that will result in learning. Students are expected to help out with family chores.

Q: Do host families need to give the student an allowance?
A: All PAX exchange students have their own spending money, provided by their natural families. They take care of their own phone bills, school lunches, school expenses and recreation such as movies and bowling.

Q: What if my exchange student gets sick?
A: All PAX exchange students are covered by full medical insurance with a small deductible. There is no liability to the host family.

Q: What happens if the placement doesn't work out?
A: If a student and host family have a misunderstanding, the PAX community coordinator provides counsel and support. If a host family has an insurmountable difficulty or an unexpected change in family life, the community coordinator will arrange for another placement for a student.

Q: How old are the students who participate?
A: PAX students are between the ages of 15 and 18 when they enter the U.S. The high school the student attends will determine what grade the student will enter.

Q: Do I need to secure a visa for my visitor?
A: PAX students enter the U.S. on what is called a J-1 exchange visitor visa, secured with an DS2019 form issued by PAX. PAX assumes all responsibilities for visas, visa issues and any other travel documents.

Q: What responsibilities do host families have?
A: PAX families are asked to provide students with meals, a place to sleep and study and a warm supportive environment. Private rooms are not required

Q: What is required for us to become a PAX host family?
A: A PAX host family must:
• Share a commitment to hosting and an understanding of the responsibilities involved.
• Have two or more family members (Single persons require a secondary review.).
• Have at least one family member over the age of 28.
• Provide the student with a bed and a place to study. A student may not share a bed. A student may share a room, but only with a host sibling of the same gender who is within four years of the student's age.
• Provide breakfast, dinner and snacks for the student. The student is prepared to buy lunch at school.
• Be financially secure and able to assume the costs of hosting a teenager.
• In addition, PAX families are usually interested in learning about other countries and cultures.

How are host families
picked and supported? These questions and more are answered in a television interview.

"Dagfinn has made our lives more fulfilling than ever imaginable... Our ten year old stated that he knew we could not afford to take a trip around the world and he thanked me for bringing the world to him."

-Jan Smith, host mother, Turners Falls, MA

"I now know the hardest part about being a host family is the day when Nok has to go back home. We have been lucky to share many of Nok's first times with her: her first Thanksgiving, first snow, first Christmas, and first encounter with Jolly ol' Saint Nick."

Sherri Andrews
Host Mother for Chitchanok (Nok) Chimtrakool (Thailand)

"Never did we imagine that our exchange student, would be such a bundle of joy. Pauline came with the attitude to make it the best year she could and she accomplished just that. Pauline was always willing to lend a helping hand to friends, family and neighbors. She is greatly missed by everyone."

Gordon and Cheryl Heldt
Host Parents for Pauline Gerner-Beverle (Germany)

"I couldn’t ask for a better daughter. In Korean, her name means "kind and brave" and I’ve come to see that Woo-Hyun embodies her name as well. She took on the challenges of attending a new school and place with great courage. Though she had never done it at home, Woo-Hyun joined the junior varsity soccer team, a great way to make new friends."

Rev. Sarah Mount
Host Parent for Woo-Hyun Choi (Korea)