When parents consider a high school exchange, one of the first questions is: Who will my child be living with? The idea of sending your teenager across the world to live with strangers can feel daunting. That’s why ASTUR makes host family selection the cornerstone of our program.
With more than 6,000 families across Germany, ASTUR runs the largest host family network in the country — and we maintain a 100% placement rate. This article shows exactly how families are chosen, why they choose to host, and why you can trust ASTUR to provide a safe and supportive environment for your child.
Germany’s Largest Host Family Network
Other organizations scramble for host families after a student signs up. ASTUR does it differently. We keep a standing network of families eager to welcome exchange students. Many already have children of their own and want to share German culture with young people from around the world.
This system means ASTUR can guarantee placement. We never cancel a student due to lack of host families — a promise unique in the industry.
How We Vet Families
Every ASTUR host family goes through a rigorous screening:
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Application: Families share their motivation to host and complete the application & compliance paperwork.
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Background Checks: Including references and identity verification.
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Home Visit: ASTUR local organisers personally visits to check the living environment and meet every family in person.
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Ongoing Review: Families remain in close contact with local organisers and are re-checked regularly.
Only families meeting strict standards are accepted. Our rule of thumb is: would we place our own kids with this family?
Matching Students and Families
Placement isn’t random. We look closely at:
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Shared interests and hobbies.
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Dietary preferences (vegetarian, allergies, etc.).
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Language needs and academic support.
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Family routines and dynamics.
Students submit a personal video introducing themselves, which helps families prepare. This careful process ensures that both student and host family feel comfortable from day one.
Why Families Choose to Host
Hosting is about more than accommodation. German families often describe it as a chance to:
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Share their traditions, holidays, and everyday routines.
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Give their own children exposure to new cultures.
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Build lifelong friendships.
For students, this means arriving not as a guest, but as a new family member.
Support Doesn’t Stop at Placement
ASTUR’s local coordinators visit host families regularly and check in with students to make sure everyone is thriving. Families know they can always reach ASTUR for guidance, and students know they are never alone.
Conclusion & CTA
Parents can rest assured: ASTUR’s host families are carefully chosen, thoroughly vetted, and continuously supported. Your teenager won’t just live in Germany — they’ll become part of a loving, trusted family.