When I was in high school, I had an awesome opportunity to make some money for college by housing foreign exchange students. My parents had a back-house and over my senior year, we had 3 different exchange students live there. Among other things I have great memories of taking them to english class, showing them around Los Angeles teaching them to surf. What started out as a way to make extra money turned into a unique and personal experience- one in which I grew as a person, learned about different cultures, and made friends who I am still in touch with today.
This is a photo of Alan, one of my exchange students from Mexico City. He had a great time staying with us, and most important of all, became a Kings fan…
One time my friends and I took Alan camping in San Clemente. There were seven of us: My two friends Sean and Connor, Sean's girlfriend from Texas, and two of her friends. We spend a few days hanging out, surfing, and barbecuing food on the beach- not something out of the ordinary for any kid from Southern California, but certainly different for an exchange student from Mexico City.
No matter where you live, there are tons of websites that can connect you with a foreign exchange student. There are a million reasons to host, and hardly any not to. I would recommend it one hundred percent.