En Famille International
The Exchange of a Lifetime
Live with a real family – Learn their language – Discover a second home
Years of exchanges
Young people placed
European Countries
Months per exchange
For teens & pre-teens
Our Exchange Countries
Reciprocal exchanges between families in five European countries
United Kingdom
London · Manchester
France
Paris · Brittany · Bordeaux
Spain
Madrid · Barcelona · Seville
Italy
Rome · Milan · Florence
Germany
Berlin · Munich · Hamburg
About En Famille International
Bringing families together since 1978
En Famille International is a French non-profit headquartered in Brittany. The organisation was founded on the core belief that the best way to understand another language and culture is through family immersion.
For half a century we have carefully matched families across the globe, arranging genuine reciprocal exchanges overseen by our network of local representatives.
Unlike language schools, En Famille International places each child at the heart of daily family life — following the same home and school routine as their exchange partner.
The result is an immersive experience that boosts confidence, fluency and cultural awareness in a way no classroom or group trip can replicate.
Why En Famille International?
A French non-profit organisation acting internationally
Non-Profit Est. 1978
Building bridges for half a century
24/7 Support
A local representative in every country
Expert Family Matching
Safety and trust come first
Family-Based Immersion
Live like a local from day one
Take Education Further
With a lifelong international network
One Exchange. Two Homes.
1–6 months stays in each other’s homes
Your Family
Welcomes the exchange family’s child.
The Partner Family
Welcomes your child in return.
Your Family (UK)
You welcome the exchange family’s child as your own, with the same home, holiday and school routine.
Partner Family (FR • ES • DE • IT)
The exchange partner's family will welcome your child in the same way — as a family member, never as a guest.
The Golden Rule
Reciprocity — host the exchange family’s child as your own. They will host your child in like manner.
What Your Child Gains
A transformative experience with a lifetime of memories
True Immersion
Speak the language from day one. Conversational in 3 months. Bilingual by month 6.
Confidence
Gains in independence and cultural maturity — your child will return transformed.
A New Sibling
A real bond with their exchange partner that can extend well into the future.
A Second Family
A European connection that lasts long after the exchange ends.
Language Progression
Typical milestones for a family-immersion exchange
First words, first greetings, settling in
Everyday conversation with the family
Navigating school and daily life alone
Near-native fluency, accent and idiom
Marked improvement in all domains:
Reading
Listening
Speaking
Writing
Ready to start the Exchange of a Lifetime?
Whether you are a family looking to host, a parent wanting to send your child on exchange, or simply curious about how it works — we would love to hear from you.
Ready to Begin?
6 steps to your exchange — plan 6–12 months ahead
- 1. Apply — Send us your file online
- 2. Interview — Meet the EFI team
- 3. Match — Receive a partner proposal
- 4. Agree — Both families confirm
- 5. Prepare — Paperwork, visa, school
- 6. Go! — The adventure begins
EFI — With You At Every Step
- Local representatives in every country
- 6-week check-ins with both families
- Language progress and wellbeing reports
- 24/7 emergency contact — never alone
Testimonials
Marie has been accepted into the international high school in her academy's bachibac section, thanks to her tenacity and a fruitful exchange. A thousand thanks again for your dedication!
The girls have known each other for 5 years now and they truly share a sisterly bond. That's the magic of EFI! Creating beautiful stories!
We feel as though we have a family in various corners of the world. I encourage every family who can, to live this experience once, twice, three times…
The exchange is an enriching experience, both for the children and for the rest of the family — it teaches us to live together and to learn from one another.