When your exchange student moves out | EF High School Exchange Year

When your student moves out

This is an emotional time. Some families may struggle with sadness, while for others, the end of the exchange may be exciting and full of relief. These reactions are completely normal. The most important thing is being true to how you feel, whenever your exchange experience ends.

Your new normal

What does your life look like now that your student has left your home? To adjust to this change and stay connected to your student, we encourage you to try these things:

Understand the relationship with your student will take on a new form. For those families with young children, make time to discuss this change.
Stay busy and active—it can help your transition and adjustment go more smoothly. Pick up old hobbies or integrate new ones into your routines!
Continue to educate yourself about their culture so you have conversation topics to discuss with them. Watch movies, read books or check out news websites/articles from their country.
Make a playlist of songs that remind you of your time with your student or ones that represent your experience.
Cook or bake traditional recipes from your student’s country.
Research to see if there are any local festivals celebrating your student’s culture or heritage.
Keep learning the language of your student through online resources.
Find ways to continue to engage with people who shared in the experience with you. Keep in touch with those who you met because of your student or EF, whether they are RMs, teachers, coaches, guidance counselors or friends of your exchange student.
Strengthen your connection to other EF host families through Instagram, Facebook, the host family alumni newsletter or host family webchats.

"Even with other people in the house and our busy day-to-day activities, my home feels emptier than it should. We didn’t realise the small things that we would miss so much, like having her at the dinner table, chatting in the garden or watching TV together at night."

— Annie, host mum

Find your student now

Are you ready to experience a new culture at home? Talk with us and start your hosting journey now.

Tell us about yourself

Speak to an EF exchange advisor

Choose your exchange student

Information about you

When your student moves out

Your new normal

"Even with other people in the house and our busy day-to-day activities, my home feels emptier than it should. We didn’t realise the small things that we would miss so much, like having her at the dinner table, chatting in the garden or watching TV together at night."

Before your student arrives

The first days

Life with your student

Other topics

Find your student now