Several international exchange students bound for local school districts in the Greater Houston area are in search of a home during their stay in the United States.

About 150 international students nationwide are searching for a place to stay while studying abroad in the United States, said Hanna Doyle, coordinator for the International Culture Exchange Service. Doyle said the lack of available homes stems from both school districts and families' lack of interest in hosting these students.

Although many of those students are looking for homes around the Greater Houston area, Doyle said school districts limit the number of foreign exchange students at each school. Tomball and Klein ISDs allow only five international students per high school and Conroe ISD allows for six.

"Even if we had 10 host families, we would not able to [utilize] them because the school allows five [exchange students]," Doyle said.

Judy Rimato, associate superintendent for communications and planning for Klein ISD, said the limit allows the schools to provide an appropriate level of support to these international students.

"The intent of a foreign exchange program is to provide visiting students the academic opportunity to learn about the workings of the United States government, civics, and systems of economics, as well as being immersed in the English language," Rimato said. "Students are encouraged to take an active part in the academic process and experience the social activities of the students in the Klein ISD. It is a reciprocal process with Klein ISD students learning from the international students as well."

The low number of families that choose to host international students for the school year also exacerbates the problem. Doyle said many people are not aware of the benefits of hosting an international student.

"You are able to experience another culture," Doyle said. "You're able to learn about another culture. You will gain one more family member. They're not a guest but another person added to your family. The most important thing is you're accepting someone into your life, your family and loving that child."

ICES performs multiple surveys to ensure the safety and comfort of the international students. Every household member 18 years old or older is given a thorough background check as well.

Doyle said ICES wants students placed in homes where they will be introduced to a safe environment and experience a new language and culture while avoiding culture shock. She said the biggest cause for culture shock is the language barrier, and students are often afraid of making mistakes.

"Each and every student goes through some kind of culture shock," Doyle said. "Some students worse than others. We try to keep in touch with [them] over the phone, via email and with their schools to make sure they're doing fine in school. If there are any problems, we try to take action."

For those interested in hosting international students during the upcoming 2014-15 school year in any Houston-area school district, contact Hanna Doyle at [email protected] or 713-480-7592.