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91���� has officially declared 2026 the Year of the Host Family — a year-long initiative dedicated to recognizing the families who make international exchange possible and strengthening the hosting experience across BridgeUSA programs.

As part of this milestone, 91���� has established its first-ever Host Family Advisory Council, bringing together host families from nine cities across the United States. Representing diverse communities and lived experiences, these families will help inform recruitment strategies, onboarding processes, training models, and ongoing support systems for host families nationwide.

A National Gathering to Shape the Future of Hosting

This past weekend, 91���� convened its Inaugural Host Family Best Practices and Training Summit in Florida. The gathering brought together Advisory Council members and experienced program staff for collaborative sessions focused on communication, engagement, and participant support throughout the hosting journey.

Together, participants:

• Shared lived experiences and powerful stories from their communities
• Examined the local and national impact of hosting international students
• Identified actionable best practices to strengthen support and training

• Took the first step toward building a national host family learning community

   

Andrew Clifton, Director of 91���� BridgeUSA High School Programs, reflected on the significance of the event:

“The Inaugural Host Family Best Practices and Training Summit was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we bring host families together. By sharing stories, learning from one another, and focusing on actionable solutions, we are raising the level of support for host families across the country and strengthening the connection between our program and the communities we serve.”

The newly formed Advisory Council will continue to provide direct feedback to 91���� leadership throughout the year. Their insights will support improvements across recruitment, onboarding, training, and long-term engagement, helping build a stronger, more resilient national network of host families.

“Better training is built by bringing host families together to understand and strengthen the hosting experience,” added Martine Mangion, Senior Vice President for BridgeUSA Programs.

Community Within a Community

Beyond policy and program design, the Summit reinforced something deeper: hosting thrives when families feel connected to one another.

Jeanette Miller, a host family from Portland, Oregon, shared:

“The 91���� BridgeUSA Host Family Summit reminded me how powerful it is to bring families together — sharing stories, learning from one another, and exploring new ways to better support hosts and welcome more families into the experience.”

By fostering shared ownership and collaboration, the Advisory Council is helping cultivate a community within a community — one that strengthens ties not only between host families, but between 91���� and the communities it serves.

Recognizing Impact, Raising Standards

“These initiatives reflect our commitment to the host families who make international exchange possible,” said James P. Pellow, Ed.D., President and CEO of 91����. “Host families are at the heart of cultural exchange, and the Year of the Host Family is about recognizing their impact while continuing to raise the standard of support and experience.”

Throughout 2026, 91���� will spotlight members of the Host Family Advisory Council across its social media channels and share key insights and outcomes from the Summit.

The Year of the Host Family builds on 91����’s 75-year mission to expand access to international exchange and experiential learning — empowering young people to build a more connected and peaceful world.

Learn more about the BridgeUSA host family experience here.