About USA Homestays.
Our Objective
USA Homestays brings international college students and visiting scholars to live with American families so that they can experience the warmth, comfort and community of an American home. We want international students to have an outstanding and unforgettable time in our country, and we believe that sharing life with a family can make that happen. Families not only help students improve their language and understand the local culture, they also help students to feel at home, like they belong here.
Our Families
We select American families who are interested in other cultures, enjoy meeting new people, and excel at practicing hospitality. Our host families don’t just rent a room. They invite students to be part of their lives. Some families are recently married, some families have young children, some families are empty nesters, and all of those families are excited to open their hearts and homes to an international student.
Our History
USA Homestays was founded in Indianapolis in 2014. Since then, we have expanded to many more cities around the country. Across the organization, we have placed more than 500 students into American homes. These students have come from all over the globe, including Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Morocco, Libya, UAE, China, Turkey, Japan, Oman and others.
Our Values
Welcome: We want international students to feel welcomed in the United States, not forgotten or ignored. Host families provide a place where students feel like they belong. A homestay becomes like home.
Respect: We recognize that international students come different cultures, and we train our families to respect and honor those differences. A homestay is a place where a student will feel valued and appreciated for who they are.
Relationship: Homestays are primarily about building relationships. We feel strongly that cross-cultural relationships are the best way to encourage understanding and peace around the world. The connections that are made in a homestay can have profound effects not just for the people involved but for the whole world!
Learning: We believe in promoting learning outside the classroom. Our host families help students improve their English, and they help students understand American culture. There are many things a student can learn in a homestay that they can’t learn at the university.
Fun: We’re not all serious! A homestay is without question a fun place to be. The experiences that a student has in a homestay can’t be duplicated anywhere else. Everyone smiles more and laughs harder sharing life together.
Our Funding
USA Homestays and its staff are funded in two ways. First, we are paid by the students for the homestay service we provide. Secondly, as a non-profit organization, we accept the contributions of caring individuals and families, organizations, churches and businesses. If you are interested in supporting the work of USA Homestays, we would love to talk with you. Visit our giving page for more info. If you would like to receive a copy of USA Homestays’ IRS Form 990, we would be happy to email you a copy. Please request one by sending an email to info@usahomestays.org.