ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE), in cooperation with community high schools, is looking for local families to host teens ages 15 to 18 for the next academic year. Students from all over the world, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, and Ukraine, need host families.

Host families are the cornerstone of the program and vital to its mission of bridging the gap between people, cultures, and nations. During this time of social distancing, ASSE wants to create opportunities to bring humanity back together. By opening their home to a young person from overseas, host families can help ASSE continue its global commitment to increasing international peace, understanding, and unity.

Preparations are underway for the 2021-22 program year and the arrival of students this autumn. ASSE students seek to practice their English and experience American culture, including food, sports, shopping, and more. They also love to share their own culture with their host families - who welcome them not as guests, but as family members - giving both the students and families a rich cultural experience.

In addition, ASSE students have pocket money for personal expenses, along with health, accident, and liability insurance. ASSE students are selected for participation based on academics and good citizenship. Host families can choose their students from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries, and personal interests.

ASSE's top concern is the health of host families, host communities, and exchange students. During the pandemic, exchange students will not travel unless it is considered safe to do so by the U.S. and foreign governmental agencies entrusted with public health and safety.

To become a host family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in the community, readers may call the ASSE Eastern Regional Office at 800-677-2773 or visit http://www.host.asse.com to begin a host family application.