Home USA Programs Academic Year

Academic Year

Become a Host Family

Host families are the backbone of the CHI Academic Year Program (AYP). By volunteering and opening your home and heart to the world's young people, you are donating to them an uncommon gift: an offer of friendship, a willingness to share themselves and their way of life, and a genuine interest in learning about culture and customs.

Bringing the World to your Home

When you host an international exchange student, your family begins sharing similarities, exploring differences and seeing the U.S. through a fresh perspective of an inquisitive teenager. Imagine your family learning a simple Chinese greeting, cooking a traditional Brazilian meal or having a lively discussion about the political climate in Slovakia. With students representing over 30 countries, you will have the enriching opportunity to welcome a small part of the world into your home!

As a host family, you can expect CHI to:

• Personally interview and fully orient your family in your home before your exchange student arrives.
• Provide a complete profile of your exchange student, including a letter from the exchange student, academic and character references, and a list of hobbies and interests.
• Match your family with an exchange student who has similar interests and values.
• Present the exchange student with an arrival orientation.
• Contact your family and exchange student on a monthly basis to complete a progress report evaluating the exchange student's progress in family life, academic achievement and social activity.
• Maintain regular contact with the exchange student's local high school and monitor the exchange student's progress.
• Be available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week in case of emergency.

How do we become a CHI host family?

If your family is interested in opening your door to the world by hosting an international exchange student, please complete our inquiry form or visit our regions page and email one of our Academic Program Administrators directly!