Homestay and Community Volunteering in the USA

This program allows you to spend 4-12 weeks in the USA living with an American host family. You’ll gain exposure to a new culture in a supportive, homelike environment, helping you adjust to your host country. It’s a great way to deepen your understanding of American life and build meaningful relationships.

At the same time, you’ll have the chance to volunteer in the community, giving back and at the same time gain work experience. For 25 to 35 hours per week, you’ll work with a non-profit organization. No prior work experience is required. Typical organizations for community volunteering include:

• Museums
• Libraries
• Community development and social service centers
• Early education centers and preschools
• Schools
• Camps
• Youth centers
• After-school programs
• Healthcare centers
• Senior care centers
• Community radio
• Media production (photography, design)
• Theater
• Opera
• Social non-profit organizations

Before you arrive in the USA, you’ll select a category for your volunteer work. Your specific duties will vary depending on the organization. You’ll not only contribute to society but also enhance your professional skills, improve your English, meet new people, and develop personally. You’ll gain independence and a sense of responsibility.

You may also do two volunteer placements simultaneously or one after the other. If you’d like to take on two placements at once, you’ll select one main activity and a second that has flexible hours, like food banks and thrift stores. An additional fee applies for this option.

It is also possible for you to stay consecutively at two or more locations with different host families, allowing you to engage in another, different volunteer activity at each location. An additional fee applies for this option. The minimum stay at each location is 4 weeks.

At the end of the program, you’ll receive a participation certificate.

Living with an American Family - What to Expect

Most American host families are middle class, have stable jobs, and put effort in the furnishing and decoration of their homes or apartments. They provide a welcoming environment. Many families are enthusiastic about cultural exchange and look forward to spending time with you. Whether they rent or own their homes, you can expect access to internet, transportation, and recreational activities.

Currently, this program is available in Alaska (AL), California (CA), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Illinois (IL), Massachusetts (MA), Maryland (MD), Michigan (MI), Missouri (MO), New Hampshire (NH), New York (NY), Ohio (OH), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), South Carolina (SC), Utah (UT), Washington State (WA), and Wisconsin (WI).

Once registered, a host family and state are assigned to you, and it is not possible to select these.

The Matching Process

After registration, you’ll complete a questionnaire detailing your personality, interests, motivation, English level, work experience, education, and health status. You’ll also choose your preferred volunteering activity.

We will then conduct the “Big 5 Personality Test” with you. Additionally, we’ll need a letter in which you introduce yourself to potential host families.

Using this information, we’ll find a location where your desired volunteering activity is available and match you with a suitable host family.

We require your documents no later than 12 weeks before the program start date.

How is the safety of program participants ensured?

We collaborate in the U.S. with our partner CHI (Cultural Homestay International), which has supported over 300,000 participants in various programs across the U.S. since 1980. The “Homestay and Volunteering” program (officially called STEP - Short Term Enrichment Program) has already hosted more than 2,000 participants.

CHI Community Coordinators are active in all locations where we place participants. They serve as the primary point of contact for participants during their stay in the U.S., addressing any issues or questions that may arise.

Host families are screened, supported, and supervised by CHI Community Coordinators. All new host families are screened by CHI representatives through a personal interview and a home inspection. Criminal records, legal residency status, the primary language spoken in the household, housing conditions, cleanliness, neighborhood, and other factors are all checked. Most participants stay with families who have been part of the STEP program for many years.