Question 1

Who is eligible?

Accepted Answer

Eligible participants include children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces or grand-nephews of members of the French Society and of the American constituent societies. Both boys and girls between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are eligible.

Question 2

Must the participant speak French?

Accepted Answer

No. Familiarity with French is beneficial, but an American participant is not required to have studied or speak French. Many families find the visit itself is the best language teacher.

Question 3

How long does an exchange last?

Accepted Answer

Generally a visit of two to three weeks is arranged for one child with the family of a counterpart in the host country, during the summer vacation period.

Question 4

Must both visits occur in the same summer?

Accepted Answer

No. The reciprocal visit may take place during the same summer or a later summer, depending on the arrangements made by the two families.

Question 5

How are families matched?

Accepted Answer

Coordinators in France and the United States compare registered and applied families — ages, dates, interests and household circumstances — and propose an introduction. No family's contact details are shared until both families agree and a coordinator approves the introduction.

Question 6

Can we host without sending a child?

Accepted Answer

Tell us on your registration or application. Hosting-only interest is welcome and is sometimes exactly what a matching year needs, although reciprocal hosting remains the usual pattern.

Question 7

What costs are involved?

Accepted Answer

All financial obligations are the responsibility of the participating families. The program introduces families; it does not charge a program fee for the match.

Question 8

Who purchases airline tickets?

Accepted Answer

Each family arranges and pays for its own child's travel, in coordination with the host family's dates.

Question 9

What insurance is needed?

Accepted Answer

Families should confirm that travel and medical coverage applies abroad for the dates of the visit, and share the relevant details privately with the host family before travel.

Question 10

What if dietary or medical considerations exist?

Accepted Answer

Tell us the essentials on the application so a sensible match can be made, and discuss practical details directly with the host family. We collect only what is needed for a safe and comfortable visit.

Question 11

What if our dates change?

Accepted Answer

Let your coordinator know as early as possible. Dates shift often and can usually be accommodated if both families are told promptly.

Question 12

What if no match is available?

Accepted Answer

Some years there are more families on one side than the other. Your record remains on file and you can confirm your continued interest for the next year without starting again.

Question 13

How do we renew for another year?

Accepted Answer

Use the renewal page. We look up your existing record from your email address, send you a secure link, and update the record you already have rather than creating a duplicate.

Question 14

What support do coordinators provide?

Accepted Answer

Coordinators explain the program, review applications, propose matches, introduce families and remain available through the summer if questions arise.

Question 15

How is participant information protected?

Accepted Answer

Information about young people is kept to the minimum needed, stored privately, never published, and never included in ordinary notification emails. Uploaded photographs and videos stay private unless a family gives explicit permission.

Question 16

How can a former family share its experience?

Accepted Answer

Past participants may receive a private invitation to share their experience with the program. Nothing submitted is published without the permission the family selects.

Questions families ask