Experiences of 12 American families who hosted American Field Service (AFS) international exchange students (ages 16-18) are documented. The purpose of the study was to understand more fully the dynamics of the normal, reasonably satisfactory hosting experience. Each case study presents background information on the family, a narration of significant events during the student's sojourn, and a chart depicting the emotional swings experienced by the family. Seven families experienced the somewhat normal adjustment cycle that began with satisfaction with the student's integration into the household followed by disillusionment or moodiness on the part of the student, and ending on an upswing after problems had been worked out. Dynamics working in these cases were lack of enthusiasm of host siblings, hypercritical stance taken by the exchange student, absence of a host sibling in the home, difficult personality of the student, unwillingness of the student to participate in family life, and a clash of student goals and family expectations. Four host families experienced no negative adjustment periods. Dynamics of these positive experiences include delightful personality of exchange student, suitability of the student for the experience, a large host family comprised of members with differing interests, and accepting nature of both student and family. One hosting experience was terminated early, the reason being lack of communication between the family and the student. (KC)