Five of the best benefits for using a host home for your job search.The story about the friend of the family made me decide to write down some of the great reasons I can see for choosing to live in a host home and to be part of a work exchange program like this one.

• Expands opportunities - With these programs, we don't have to be limited to just looking for work in our own backyards. We can go almost anywhere in the world to look for a new career or a new experience.

• Provides freedom - Most people don't have the luxury of waiting for the job they want. To support themselves, they need a job even if it's not a great one. But that means they have less time to look for the job they do want. With this free room and board situation, that's not the case.

• Helps you enter the community - No one likes being alone in a strange place. If you're living with a host family, however, you have a connection in that community and you can build a long-term relationship with people who may be able to help you in other ways down the road, such as by offering a reference for employment or introducing you to someone who could help your career.

• Gives you experience - Getting rent in exchange for some type of work can also expand your experience on your resume. Whether you're taking care of an elderly person or teaching English, you can use these experiences on your resume which can be a real benefit to recent graduates who don't have much of a work history.

• Changes your life - Because you are going to be working closely with another family in another city, your life is going to be changed in ways you might not be able to imagine. You'll have more confidence. You'll feel as if you have more freedom.

The bottom line is that doing a work exchange can not only help you find a job but it can really make a difference in your life - and in the life of the host family. The potential for your future through one of these exchanges is enormou