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 can 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 Homestay 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. We are looking for 21 host families to welcome these leaders for a five-night stay.

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Open World: Balkans - Investigative Journalists: A joint regional program with two professionals from Serbia, two from Kosovo, and two from North Macedonia will 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.

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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. We are seeking 4 host families to provide a one-week homestay for the final week of their program.

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Open World: Estonia - Judges: 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.

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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.

Interested in submitting an application? We'll support you all the way!