En Famille International: A Unique Organization

For children aged 8 to 15 : A 6-month exchange

En Famille International

Since 1978, our association has been organizing exchange programs for young children and teenagers.

Why focus on children so young?

  • Because language immersion is more effective at a younger age.
  • Because young children thrive in long-term exchanges, contrary to common belief. They integrate into a new family quickly and adapt to the foreign family’s rules more easily than older teenagers.

That said, we also facilitate meaningful exchanges with motivated and adventurous teenagers who are eager to embrace this challenge and put in the effort.

En Famille International

Our En Famille International team is composed of ambassadors abroad in each country, and a management team based in France. We share the same values, operate uniformly, and collaborate closely.

At least two team members meet every family interested in an exchange, both in France and abroad.
For nearly 50 years, we have maintained strict guidelines to ensure children can best – and fully – experience immersion. Our families often tell us how these rules have helped support them during the exchange and enabled their children to succeed in learning a new language.

Teamwork with Shared Values: Language Immersion through Clear Guidelines

A Board of Parents

En Famille International is a non-profit association governed by the French 1901 law. Our Board of Directors consists of parents who have experienced one or more exchanges themselves. Their involvement helps preserve the founding principles of En Famille International.

Lifelong Connections Between Families

Children participating in our exchanges spend an entire year together—six months in each child’s home.

These shared experiences create lifelong bonds between the children and their families. Even after the exchange, children often meet again during holidays, strengthening these lasting friendships.

Our International Team

En Famille International Emmanuel

Emmanuel

Director

Heather

Heather

UK ambassador

Maria-Jose Felipe

Maria-José & Felipe

Spain ambassador

Elise

Elise

Germany ambassador​

Janina

Janina

Germany ambassador​

Yolanda

Yolanda

Spain ambassador

Nuria

Nuria

Spain ambassador

Anna -Lisa

Anna-Lisa

Italy ambassador​

Kathyn

Kathryn

USA ambassador

Jeni

Jeni

USA & Canada ambassador

Isabel

Isabel

Spain ambassador

En Famille International

Come and join our team!

The Milestones of EFI

1978
The Birth of En Famille
The first exchange...

The first exchange involved an 8-year-old French boy and an 8-year-old English girl.

1980
A New Name

The association adopted the name "En Famille," which was later expanded to "En Famille International" 12 years later.

1986
First Exchange with Ireland
1989
First Exchange with Germany
1991
Introduction of Exchanges for 12- and 13-Year-Olds in Secondary School
1997
First Exchange with the USA
2006
First Exchanges with Canada
2007
First Exchange with Spain
2014
First Exchanges with Mexico
2022
Launch of Short-Term Exchanges with the USA (Summer Program)
today

En Famille International has made the dream of an exchange experience a reality for more than 3,500 children! And the adventure continues, thanks to the dedication of the team of volunteers who work tirelessly to preserve this original idea.