Calculate like this:

one-time Flat Fee for 3 years:
only 150 € (or equiv. in $, £ etc.)

+ costs for travel (flight, train, etc.)
+ pocket money
   (suggested 25 - 50 € per week)
+ gifts for the host family
+ costs for "calling home"
   (skype is free, mobile phones
    are expensive)
+ travel  & liability insurance
   (only if needed)
+ school & school related fees
    (only if a school visit is planned
     and only if school charges fees)
+ visa fees (only if visa is not free)

Youth hostels will charge 12 - 20 Euros per night, rooms sleep 6 - 12 people (often men & women sleep in the same room)! Additionally you will need money for food. In total 1 week would cost you approx. 200 Euros if you are on low budget. Our flat fee is only 150 Euros for 3 years of almost unlimited exchange possibilities, where your teenager stays with a real family and has a home away from home!

Host families provide more than just warm meals and a roof over your head: a host family will open the doors to a new country, a different life-style, new culture, new traditions, new ways of looking at things and best of all: they want to be your friend!