Helping your exchange student get involved locally

Participation is important: help your student get involved locally

For many exchange students, feeling busy helps with their adjustment and makes them feel more at home. There are plenty of opportunities for students to engage in their communities.

Download worksheet

Sports

Check with your local recreation centre for something your student likes or an activity you can try together. Students may also be interested in less organized forms of exercise like dance, football, yoga and fitness classes.

Student events

Getting your student involved in activities is a great way to help them feel like a part of the community. Student Success Advisors will have planned activities for the students in the same area. If you'd like, consider partnering with your Regional Manager or other parents to organise an event like a coastal walk in the autumn or a holiday party in the winter for the exchange students or other teens in the area.

Community groups

Ask your student if they would like to speak with local groups, churches, primary schools or at town hall meetings. It can be a great way to share their culture and promote exchange within your community! Even if your student is not religious, a local youth group can be a great place to make friends. Suggest they try going to see if this is something they will enjoy.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteering is an big part of the British culture and getting your student involved is a great way to help them connect. Is your student passionate about a cause? Research local awareness walks, fundraising events, food banks or advocacy groups they may be interested in supporting.

“My host family wants to be a big part of my life and they support me. I was nervous to join the football team because we don’t have that in Taiwan, but they encouraged me to try it and I made it as the striker. I don't play that much, but they still come to my matches to support me and the team.”

— Jason from Taiwan

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

Participation is important: help your student get involved locally

Sports

Student events

Community groups

Volunteer opportunities

Before your student arrives

The first days

Life with your student

Other topics

Find your student now