Become a host family and give a student a safe home

Become a host family for a high school student

At CIEE we aim to give our high school students the best possible insight into everyday life in Denmark, which we do by e.g. introducing them to the Danish concept of hygge, the bike as a mode of transportation as well as Danish history and cultural in general. To support this cultural immersion, we are always looking for families located in or around the Copenhagen area, who are interested in being a host family for one or several of our students.

Alle types of families are welcome to apply to become a host family. We know that families in Denmark come in many forms, so we encourage those who are interested to apply.

We provide a monthly stipend per student to our host families. This stipend is intended to help cover additional expenses associated with being a host family.

Per January 1st, 2026, we are offering host families that have one semester-student a monthly stipend of 5000 DKK and host families that have one summer-student a total stipend of 4000 DKK for three weeks. We have two summer programs in 2026, so it is possible to be a host family for 2 x 3 weeks.

We are seeking

We are currently seeking families to host high school students participating in our summer programs running from June 16th till July 6th, 2026, and from July 9th till July 29th, 2026.

As a CIEE-host family you should, amongst other things, be able to offer the following:

  • Interest in sharing your daily life with an American exchange student and introduce   them to the Danish culture and language.

  • A room with a bed (students may share rooms with children of the same gender if they are within four years of the student’s age)

  • An appropriate place to sleep

  • Meals, herein breakfast and dinner every day

  • Help coordinating transport to and from CIEE Copenhagen

Similarly, it is, amongst other things, a requirement that:

  • One person in the home is at least 25 years old

  • Danish is spoken at a high level by at least one family member

  • There cannot live other exchange students with the family during the period

  • There cannot live paying guests from e.g. Airbnb with the family in that period

  • All family members over 18 must show a clean criminal record

As a host family you will be getting a unique opportunity to share your side of Denmark with a student and create connections and relationships that often continue for long after the program ends.

Are you interested in being a host family, but you’re missing the bed and sheets? Please reach out to us and we’ll find a solution!‍

Get Started

To learn more about being a host family or opening an application, you must fill out this introductory form.

When you have sent in your form, we will contact you to plan a conversation and home visit to get to know you and your family better. Hereafter we will begin our process of matching a student to your family.

Should you have any questions about becoming a host family please write an email to us on copenhagen@ciee.org.