How to Become A Host Family

Our Requirements to Host an International Student –
      • A private, single bedroom in your house that includes a desk and Internet access. If you have an extra bedroom, you can host a maximum of two students of the same gender.
      • A single-family dwelling within a 10-12-mile radius or no more than 30 minute driving distance of one of our participating schools.
      • Provide meals throughout the week and weekend (students usually purchase lunch at school)
      • Transportation to/from school and extra-curricular activities (busing where available and carpooling as an option)

Families commit to hosting students for 5 or 10 months. Backup families are available for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.


Ready to Get Started? 

    1. Complete a phone interview and fill out your application online.
    2. An APEX representative will visit your home to take pictures of the common areas and the student’s bedroom. We’ll conduct background checks (statewide, nationwide, criminal & sex offender) and contact references.
    3. Based on your information, we’ll build a profile of your household to share with students’ families.
    4. We use a combination of factors including your application, home visit, our student applications, and interviews to find the best match for each student and family. However, the ultimate decision for placement is made solely by the student’s family.
    5. If you are selected to host a student, we will notify you with a confirmation email.
    6. Once we find a suitable match, we will contact you to discuss the details of logistics and scheduling. Typically, students arrive in mid-August for the fall semester and mid-January for the spring semester.

Please note that in case you are not chosen as a host family at the start of the semester, we keep a list of backup families. This is in case a student needs to be relocated due to a family emergency or a change in the host family’s living circumstances. If you would like to be added to the backup list, kindly inform us.

We’ll keep you updated on your progress and next steps. Contact us anytime if you have more questions.


Host Family Testimonials

You can hear directly from our host families about their experiences and see for yourself the benefits of our programs. Our local and international teams are committed to providing support to both students and families throughout the entire process. Rest assured that you will have all the assistance you need every step of the way.

 

 


  • I just want to say Richard [our host student] is the most polite person and just perfect to host. One really couldn’t ask for a better student. He already speaks English so well and, over the weekend, we accomplished some tasks he needed help with. We took him to G Mart so he could get the food he likes and he seems to like my dad’s cooking. He really isn’t picky. His parents sent these wonderful Chinese teas and a gift so we’re figuring out how to send them our appreciation.

    I got him to the [APEX] dorm for the bus with plenty of time this morning. I think my Dad sent a picture of him here to you with our cat. He never had a cat before and now the cat and Richard are pals. We’ll try to take more pictures. Anyways, thanks for the wonderful student! To be honest we were slightly nervous but once we met him we were very, very happy.


    Richard, Student of Hamden Hall & “Host Brother” Mike of Derby, CT

  • “My experience as a “Host Mom” for Linus was absolutely wonderful!  He is a good and talented boy and together we mastered many things that will be a total asset to him as he enters a new phase of his life at Fordham University in the Fall.  Kudos to Linus!

    APEX has been a gracious and informative guide throughout the “unknown” process of being a Host Mom.  From the beginning, Crystal and Kathleen have been encouraging and unceasing in their willingness to make our lives productive and fulfilling.”


    Diane of Danbury, CT

  • “We hosted two students this year, a freshman and a sophomore who attended Fairfield Prep.  Our experience with Steven and Daniel was exceptional.  They integrated seamlessly with our family and participated in many family functions.  Daniel even tried his hand a cooking a couple of times and gave us a taste of “traditional” Chinese fare.  Because Steven and Daniel were with us through the 2016 elections, coupled with the fact that my wife is Korean, we had many interesting discussions at the dinner table concerning the different ways each country’s political systems run.  Overall it was a great year for us and I hope that Steven and Daniel enjoyed it as much as we did.

    This is our second year hosting with APEX and we have enjoyed a friendly and professional relationship with many of the staff.  APEX cares for the needs of the students while quickly addressing any concerns that may arise.  We had no real issues that happened this year, but did have a few concerns with our students last year that were handled quickly and professionally with great results. APEX is clear from the start that we are here for the students, and we hope that we provided an environment for our students to maximize their learning and provide a positive remembrance of their experience.”


    Mark of Shelton, CT

  • “Being a host parent for an international student has been an extremely enriching experience ! I recommend it highly if you have a warm and loving home and time to commit – Thanks so much”


    John & Maria of Mystic, CT

  • “Hello, I decided to become a host family because I’m a young widow who lives alone since my daughter went off to college. I thought it would be a great time to bring someone into the house since there are two close schools to my home where APEX has international students.

    I’ve had three great girls over the past four year. Two of them at Wooster, one at Immaculate. I couldn’t have asked for  any better girls than who I had. One thing that they all had in common is that they’re very independent but in different ways. I always felt comfortable leaving them in the house if I had to run out. They were all very trust worthy girls and treated my house as if it were their own.
    What I hope to accomplish is that these girls will remember our time together and carry what they’ve learned into their futures.
    I have had a great experience with APEX with no issues. They’ve always been very attentive and hands on.”

    Mia of Danbury, CT

  • “Our first hosting experience was great.  We had a good kid that gave us no problems at all.

    Hosting with APEX was great.  The company truly cares about the host families.  The staff at APEX was extremely helpful anytime we had questions or concerns.”


    Teresa & Vincent of Sterling, CT

  • “Our experience hosting a student was awesome. We learned a lot about China and what their culture is like. We got to meet our student’s family and made a instant connection with them. We plan on visiting China sometime next year. This would have never happen without this program. Lisa and I were not empty nesters anymore and it was fun being busy again.

    Our connection with APEX has been great. We got to be good friends with a lot of the team and they all were very accessible and there to help us through the process. I met David the co-founder and became friends. He is very caring person and very interested in all his kids.  I also recommended two other families to the organization.  Thank you all!”


    Carmine & Lisa of Ansonia, CT

  • “We really enjoyed our hosting experience. Having any teenager in your home has its ups and downs but we worked together to resolve any problems that came up and had a lot of fun overall.

    We have hosted 8 students from different countries and agencies. What we appreciate about APEX is that they have everyone’s well-being in mind, such as how they provide one support person for the student (who speaks their language and understands their culture) and another for the host family.”


    Isabelle & Thomas of Trumbull, CT

  • “I would love to share how we became host parents. Dan and I were just becoming empty- nesters when we decided to host a student from China. It was a special experience learning about their culture, opening up our home, and making them feel like a part of our family! The students leave China to come to America. Our goal was to make them feel comfortable and at home in their new environment. It is fun, you learn about their culture and they experience ours. It has been an amazing experience!”


    Dan & Cindy of Danbury, CT

  • “We have been hosting with APEX for 3 years now and it has definitely been a rewarding experience. We have gotten an opportunity to host three different students. This year we are hosting Daud, a senior attending Sacred Heart High School.

    We are so grateful for all the experiences we shared together, such as birthday celebrations, family outings, learning about the Chinese culture, and cooking Chinese meals. These unforgettable memories will always be with us.

    This is Daud’s last year with us and we are very saddened that he has to travel back home. We will continue to keep in touch just like we have with our previous students. We love creating that special bond and checking on our students and their families. We would like to know how they are doing and still regard them as part of our family.

    Our experience with APEX has been great, whatever questions we had we were able to email, text, or call and we received replies quickly. It is great that there are a lot of available resources to host parents and that the line of communication is always open between APEX and host parents.”


    Gita & Liju of Waterbury, CT

  • “Becoming a host family with APEX is one of the most meaningful adventures we have taken in as a family. We have had many joyful times of cultural exchange and we have met wonderful international families along the way.

    APEX has always supported us with any advice or information that we needed. They were always there with help, support, and guidance. It was never intrusive. This allowed us to develop natural bonds with our host children and enabled them to develop and individuate appropriately so that they could focus on their goals for coming to a new country. From the get-togethers to the long nights of studying both we and our host children have grown and learned deeply as we have come to love a new culture.

    We hope to be a member of the APEX family forever and we will always be there for our host children to support them through the challenges and joys of becoming successful.”

     


    Sarah & Rich of Katonah, NY

  • “Good day folks and thank you for the opportunity for Joni and myself Richard to enter into the next school year with some shared thoughts and moments inside our times with some great students assigned to us here at our home, in Worcester, MA.
    First and foremost, the organizations that have been part of our family from the start have been no less than what we would hope. APEX has provided polite and competent people from their teams assisting not only the needs and guidance for us here but also the needs and support of the students as well. All of which can be plenty to think about taking in young and ambitious but also cultured in ways some different slightly than those of ourselves. These thoughts are not burdensome, they are a learning part of the learning curve that we all are on and off throughout our own lives when we accept changes and meet new folks that are progressing through changes of their own, away from home in a different comfort zone.
    We have hosted students from China and Korea and it has been an unforgettable experience. Not only we love our students but we also have their parents come to visit us and get to know each other more.
    The hardest part of hosting a student is when they graduate and take different paths. However, we have been blessed to be visited by some of our students who have graduated and their parents.
    Challenges are a wonderful way and an opportunity to make friends. The staff at APEX the staff at the previous agency we used to be part of, EduBoston, have done wonderful things to bring the students here, and give them the opportunity to get an education and live the American dream.
    We wish our student Eric the best of luck and we are looking forward to another great successful school year.”

    Richard & Joan of Worcester, MA

  • “I am very pleased to have joined the APEX program. I have learned a lot about Chinese culture, their traditional food, and most importantly I have had the pleasure of hosting my two boys, Harry and Ray. They are great people and have so much respect for me and my family. Ray and Harry are always open to trying our food, to learn about my culture as well. I enjoy seeing my boys eating without any complaints regarding the different food we cook.
    Two great kids with great personalities, understand each other, and there has never been a conflict between them or us. They always show their happy sides and the best part is that we understand each other.
    I am thankful for APEX and I am looking forward to many great years ahead!”

    Paola & Bruno of Oakdale, CT

  • “Ryan and I decided to give being a host family a try after speaking to one of my co-workers. This is our first time hosting and it has been a great experience so far!

    We are hosting 2 teenage girls from China. One is a Sophomore and one is a freshman at Holy Cross High School. They have taught us about Moon Festival and moon cake. We take trips on the weekends to fairs, farms, and family parties.

    Ryan and I provide transportation to and from school. They work on their homework when we get home and even help out with cooking. We have been learning from each other and having fun!”


    Danielle & Ryan of Litchfield, CT

  • “Hello! We have hosted Chinese International students for about 8 years now and we have been very blessed by the whole experience. We have learned a lot about Chinese culture and have built some wonderful relationships with our students.
     Our students have spent several years with us and each become a part of our family. We have a larger size family with a lot of children/grandchildren and they have been impacted by learning more about other cultures and our students have also learned about being part of a big family; which was new to many of them.
    Claudia has been so wonderful to get to know. She is such a cheerful and energetic young woman! She has made new friends at school and tried new things at school to get involved. We have seen her grow in just the short time she has been with us.
    Our grandchildren also really love her and she has been great at interacting and engaging with them. She has attended their sporting events and loves to see them when they spend time with us. She has also been very easy to communicate with and has always been very respectful. We really enjoy having her as part of our family.”

    Caryn & Eric of Hatfield, PA