4. Communication during the exchange

Staying in touch is important, but so is giving your teen the space to immerse themselves in their new environment.

• Balance contact: Limit calls to once a week or every other week. Short calls (30-60 minutes) allow them to focus on their new life.
• Blogs: Suggest that your teen start a blog to document their experiences. It’s an excellent way for family and friends to stay updated.
• Chain of communication: In case of any problems or issues, encourage your child to speak up to their host family or local coordinator. If this doesn’t help, contact your local STS office. You should not contact the host family or the office at your child’s destination.