4 Lessons We’ve Learned From Hosting Exchange Students

We are Jason and Toni Vincent. We recently celebrated our 25th anniversary and have two wonderful kids, Julian (15) and Ella (14). We are high school sweethearts who love the Lord and love serving at Orlando Baptist Church. We have been a part of OBC for over 20 years and help facilitate a marriage and family class. As an engineer and educator, we value education and leadership.

Introduction

Six years ago, we welcomed our first exchange student. Inspired by our friend’s positive experience hosting a student from China, we decided to explore the opportunity. After thoughtful consideration and prayer, we embraced the idea of hosting an exchange student, even though we had concerns about communication and what to expect. Our initial interview revealed that our student was from Germany, fluent in English, had a Catholic background, and was entering 10th grade. Despite the uncertainty, the experience has been a blessing, and since 2018, we’ve hosted eight students from Europe and South America.

These are the four lessons we’ve learned from hosting exchange students.

Lesson 1: Be willing to open your home to others.

Hospitality and generosity hold significant importance in our beliefs. Romans 12:13 says, “Seek to show hospitality.” Hospitality centers around others rather than ourselves, emphasizing the act of preferring one another. We aim to embrace exchange students as part of our family, fostering an environment where we welcome those who may speak differently or have different appearances. By opening our home and hearts, we extend an invitation that draws people into a shared community. When opening your home, there is always the chance that the other person may not accept your beliefs and expectations.

But for us, we believe that when God provides an opportunity the only risk is not being obedient.

Lesson 2: Exposing your family to different cultures can nurture understanding.

Our priority was to introduce our children to diverse cultures and peers of similar ages, growing up in different countries with unique traditions and languages. Living in America, we sometimes take our surroundings for granted, but exposure to other cultures allows us to appreciate our own uniqueness. Recognizing that God loves all people from every nation, we made it a goal to immerse our family in different cultural experiences whenever possible. Through this, we aimed to teach our kids to respect people’s backgrounds while embracing new traditions.

Lesson 3: There are always ministry opportunities.

Most of our exchange students already have exposure to church in their home countries, so it was essential for us to introduce them to our wonderful church community. Our church genuinely cares about people, our local community, and the diverse groups that gather at our church is a picture of what heaven will be like. We appreciate that our church boldly proclaims God’s truth, and we’re confident that our students will hear a clear gospel presentation. The Lord’s work extends worldwide, and we see ourselves as part of His plan—whether planting seeds or witnessing the fruit of earlier seeds sown. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. Every opportunity He provides is a step towards the fulfillment of His greater purpose for us. God gives us countless opportunities to grow, learn, and serve. There are always ministry opportunities, and we firmly believe that each student has been placed in our lives for a specific reason and purpose. Our conversations with our kids and exchange students often center around speaking truth with love.

Lesson 4: Relationships matter.

We have formed long-lasting relationships with many of our students, and some have even returned to visit us after going back home. As we write this, one of our former students is spending the summer break with us—a true blessing! These connections extend to our students’ families as well. Next summer, we’re planning to visit a few of them. Just like any family relationship, you never agree all the time but the bond and love we share will not change.

Conclusion

Hosting exchange students has profoundly enriched our family’s life. Each student brings a unique perspective, cultural richness, and fresh energy into our home. We’ve learned about diverse traditions, tasted new cuisines, and formed lasting friendships. These experiences have broadened our horizons and deepened our appreciation for connections around the world.

One of the most valuable lessons our family has learned from hosting students is the power of empathy and understanding. By welcoming students from different backgrounds, we’ve gained insights into their lives, challenges, and dreams. We’ve discovered that despite cultural differences, we share common hopes and fears. This understanding has made us more compassionate, open-minded, and appreciative of our global community.