Host Global Leadership Exchange Participants

Are you interested in expanding your world? We provide innovative exchange programs for professional and youth leaders from around the world. These programs include a homestay component to enrich the intercultural experience of their program by allowing these leaders to become more deeply immersed in our local culture. They are also a unique opportunity for host families to learn from and form a long-lasting friendship with an individual from a different country without even leaving Seattle!

2023 Youth Homestay Hosting Opportunities

TechGirls: TechGirls is an international summer exchange program designed to empower and inspire young girls ages 15-17 years old from around the world, including the United States to pursue careers in STEM. TechGirls from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the United States will visit Seattle from Saturday, July 22 - Wednesday, July 26, 2023. We are looking for 21 host families to welcome these leaders for a four-night stay.

Open World: Balkans - Investigative Journalists: From Friday, May 19 - Saturday, May 27, 2023 we're excited to host a joint regional program for two professionals from Serbia, two from Kosovo, and two from North Macedonia to explore how investigative journalists uncover corruption. We are looking for 8 homestay hosts to welcome 6 journalists and 2 facilitators for a one-week exchange.

Professional Fellows Program (PFP): Four PFP Fellows from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria will be placed in intensive fellowships in non-profit organizations and private sector businesses to enhance their leadership and professional skills and build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from North Africa and the United States. From Sunday, May 28 - Sunday, June 4, 2023, they will stay with host families. We are seeking 4 host families to provide a one-week homestay for the final week of their program.

Open World: Estonia - Judges: From Friday, September 29 - Saturday, October 7, 2023 five judges from Estonia will explore transparency, ethics, and judicial independence. We are looking for 6 homestay hosts to welcome 5 judges and 1 facilitator for a one-week exchange.

Please click the buttons below to learn more about Homestay Hosting.

Homestay FAQs

• This is a volunteer opportunity.
• Hosts are asked to treat participants as part of the family.
• Hosts can be individuals as well as families with or without children.
• Hosts should live near a bus line that requires one hour or less of commuting time to the World Affairs Council office or be willing to drive their participants.
• A private room with an individual bed and most meals are required.
• Approved host families must complete all application requirements: online application, background checks for all adults in the household, home visit, two personal references, and verification of being fully vaccinated for Covid-19 according to CDC guidelines.
• All participants are provided with accident and sickness health insurance during their time in the United States.
• All participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including exchange participants and all household members who are eligible to receive a vaccine.

What the World Affairs Council Provides

• Exceptional participants who have been through a rigorous application or nomination process and have demonstrated a commitment to cross-cultural engagement.
• A detailed schedule for the daily program.
• Arrival and departure airport transportation to and from a central location.
• A program-specific host family orientation and hosting manual.
• Public transportation passes, cell phones as necessary, and lunch on most programming days.
• 24-hour staff support, including a bilingual staff person when necessary.