How can I convince to parents to allow us to host a foreign exchange student?

How wonderful it is that you are considering this! My husband and I have hosted 5 (4 for 10-11mos, 1 for 7mos) students and have found it to be very addicting. I also know people who have hosted more than a dozen - one has had over 20 students (all for an academic year each). First, I would advise making sure you approach them with the right attitude (I'm not accusing you of anything - just commenting). Instead of "I need to convince them of this" think "They have valid concerns and we need to discuss this rationally. I need to collect information so that I can answer all of their questions and so I can think this through completely." Also ask yourself why you want to host. There are as many reasons as there are people, and some of the reasons aren't very good ones. Next, gather information. I've put some links below with some information. If I may, I would highly recommend hosting through Youth For Understanding (YFU). The first student we hosted wasn't with YFU and we learned a few things. While we love her very much and couldn't have asked for a better girl, there were some things that the program (which no longer exists) could have done better. Our others have been with YFU and I believe in the organization so much that I became a volunteer with them. If you like, you can email me with where you live (just city and state) and I can find a more local person that you can contact with questions. You should also talk to your school to find out what requirements/restrictions they have for exchange students and exchange organizations. Some schools will not work with certain exchange organizations. After you've gathered information, sit down with your parents and talk with them. Encourage them to contact the exchange program and/or other host parents. Money is a very small part of what is involved with hosting a student. They will have valid concerns. Make sure you listen more than you talk. Remember that they will be thinking about what is the best thing for the entire family. Good luck to you!

See there's the problem, you say you want to host, but it won't be you who will be responsible for this person, it is your parents who will be hosting.

Tell them that this is gonna make a positive change in your monotone daily life. PD. I want to host a handsome European boy =)

LOL, you think you'll have a built in super cool sibling who will make you popular at school. Odds are, the kid won't like you, won't have anything in common with you, and will make fun of you with all their new super cool friends. All that and you'll still have to share a bathroom--up until the exchange student moves in with one of their friends because they don't like your home.