About Us

Cultural Homestay International (CHI) is a non-profit, public benefit, educational organization. For over 25 years, CHI has offered multi-faceted cultural exchange programs including the Internship Program, Group Homestay Program, Academic Year Program, Au Pair, USA Work & Travel and Camp USA.

CHI's mission is to bring people of diverse cultures together so those who participate gain a greater knowledge and understanding of one another. CHI believes that the best way to learn about the cultures languages and customs of other countries is through international educational exchanges and homestay programs.

CHI's main administrative office is located in the northern California community of San Anselmo, just north of San Francisco. All CHI's personnel are committed to the ideals of international exchange and friendship.

Jan King, Work Experience Programs Director

Jan King started working for CHI as a Teacher Coordinator in 1988, after a five year trip around the world. A magna cum laude graduate of UC Berkeley, she earned an M.A. in Psychology and practiced as a California Marriage and Family Therapist in Sonoma County, California. Jan has coordinated almost every CHI program, including Group Homestay, Academic Year, Total Immersion, Outbound, Work and Travel, STEP and Internship before being promoted to the National Field Administrator position. Traveling is her passion - she has hiked, sailed, dived and bargained in over 140 countries!

Jan King visits Japan to interview future interns

Jenny Sowry, Hospitality Operations Manager

Jenny has over 10 years experience working in the International arena. She first began her career at the United Nations while studying at New York University, majoring in International Relations. Upon graduation Jenny moved to Washington D.C. where she worked for the U.S. Peace Corps and later the U.S. State Department as an election monitor in Bosnia. This is where she witnessed real democracy on a grass roots level. Jenny enjoys culinary adevntures, trivia, reading and sports. She is a mom of two girls!