Program purpose
The Family Exchange introduces compatible French and American Society families to one another so that a young person can spend part of a summer living with a family in the other country — and welcome that family's child in return.
How it works
How the French-American Family Exchange works
The program introduces families. Families arrange the visit together, with coordinator support at every stage.
Eligibility
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 thirteen and eighteen may participate.
Reciprocal hosting
The exchange is reciprocal: each family hosts the other family's child. The two visits may fall in the same summer or in different summers, whichever suits both households.
Typical duration
Generally a visit of two to three weeks is arranged for one child during the summer vacation period.
How matching works
Coordinators in France and the United States compare the families who have registered and applied — ages, available dates, interests, languages spoken and household circumstances — and propose an introduction. Nothing is shared between families until both sides agree and a coordinator approves the introduction.
Family responsibilities
Families agree the dates, arrange travel, welcome their visitor into ordinary family life, and stay in touch with one another before and during the visit.
Language expectations
Familiarity with French is beneficial, but an American participant is not required to have studied or speak French. French participants frequently wish to practise English.
Travel arrangements
Each family books and pays for its own child's travel, in coordination with the host family's dates, and confirms arrival and departure details in advance.
Costs
All financial obligations are the responsibility of the participating families. The program introduces families; it does not charge for the match.
Timing
Interest is gathered in the fall and winter, applications follow, matching takes place in the spring, and visits happen over the summer. Exact dates for each exchange year are published as they are confirmed.
Coordinator support
Three coordinators — one American and two French — explain the program, review applications, propose matches, make introductions and remain available through the summer.
The exchange year
Annual timeline
Dates below describe the usual rhythm of the exchange year. Confirmed deadlines for the 2027 exchange are published as coordinators set them — the current application deadline is: To be announced.
Fall · October – November
Awareness and information webinar
State Societies share the program and coordinators host a webinar for interested families.
Winter · December – January
Registration of interest
Families register interest so coordinators understand the size and shape of the coming exchange year.
Winter · January – March
Application period
Interested families complete the annual application for a specific summer.
Spring · March – April
Matching
Coordinators in France and the United States compare families and propose introductions.
Spring · April – May
Family introductions
Once both families agree, coordinators introduce them directly to one another.
Spring · May – June
Travel preparation
Families confirm dates, arrange travel documents, insurance and flights.
Summer · June – August
Exchange visits
Visits of two to three weeks take place, with the reciprocal visit the same or a later summer.
Fall · September – October
Feedback and reflections
Families share what worked well so the program continues to improve.
Ready to begin?
Registering interest takes less than two minutes and does not commit your family to anything.