Sage Creek High School needs two Carlsbad families willing to open their homes to international exchange students starting in August 2027.
The school posted a call for host families through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), according to a Sage Creek announcement. CIEE is a nonprofit that places students from 55 countries in more than 1,000 U.S. high schools each year, according to the organization's host-family page. Two students have been matched to Sage Creek for the 2027–28 school year.
The first is Niccolò, a 17-year-old from northern Italy looking for a family to stay with for five months during the fall semester. His interests include tennis, soccer, basketball and cooking. He hopes to try American football.
The second is Nieke, a 15-year-old from southern Germany seeking a host for the full 10-month school year. She sings in her school choir, runs track and field, skis and paints. She hopes to join a school sports team such as volleyball or soccer.
What hosting requires
Host families can include parents with children, empty nesters, single adults and retirees, according to the posting. Applicants must be at least 25 years old and pass a background check, according to CIEE.
Host families provide meals, a bed and sleeping space, and transportation to and from school activities. A private bedroom is not required, according to the posting.
Hosting is unpaid volunteer work. There are no fees to participate, but families cover everyday costs such as meals and any increase in utility or transportation bills, according to CIEE's FAQ page. Families may deduct up to $50 per school month on their tax return. Both students arrive with their own spending money and health insurance.
Local support and how to apply
A CIEE local coordinator supports host families throughout the exchange, and both students would be supported by that coordinator from the time they arrive in August 2027 through the end of their stay. Brigitte Sauer, CIEE High School USA local coordinator, is the point of contact for Carlsbad families. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 206-890-0132.
Families interested in hosting complete an application, background checks and a home visit before approval. Applications are available on CIEE's host-family portal.
