CCI invites you and your family to join thousands of other families across the U.S. who enjoy the enriching and rewarding experience of becoming a volunteer host family!

Now more than ever, your family can make a difference by hosting an exchange student… making the lifelong dream of an international student come true, and yes, contributing in a small, but significant way, to global peace and understanding.

Imagine...

...Sharing the beauty, history and culture of America with a young foreign exchange student from Russia, Vietnam, Brazil, Germany, Korea, Spain, or one of 30 other countries, developing lifelong friendships between your two families.

...Exploring your differences, discovering surprising similarities, and teaching your new son or daughter about your American values and beliefs.

...Seeing the United States through the youthful eyes of an inquisitive teen, and rediscovering the simple things that we often take for granted…a baseball or football game, a community picnic, even window-shopping at the mall!

Why host families are needed
Each year, CCI provides over 1000 exchange students the rare opportunity to live with American families all across the U.S., from a few weeks in the summer, up to a 10-month Academic High School Year.

With volunteer host families located in every state, CCI can provide these young ambassadors a wide range of landscapes, climates, activities and lifestyles ...from a farm in rural Iowa to a suburb of Seattle…from the coastline of Maine to the heart of Texas…only host families - like yours - can provide such a rich menu of unique and truly "American" experiences.

Why do students study in the U.S.?

• Americans and the American way of life fascinate students worldwide. They are bombarded by it everyday …on TV, Radio, the Internet…and they want to experience it first-hand.
• International parents consider it a priority to expose their children to other cultures and lifestyles, in order to become truly global citizens.
• Speaking English is essential in today's world and is fast becoming a universal language both on and off-line.
• And the U.S. represents one of the world's finest models of democracy and freedom. Now, more than ever, international students want to understand and experience these principles for themselves, so they, too, can make a difference in the future.

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Who can host?
CCI host families come in all shapes and sizes and represent the diversity of American culture. Our families are of varied economic, religious and racial backgrounds and include:

• Working parents
• Couples without children
• Singles and single parents
• Adoptive parents
• Empty-nesters

  CCI Volunteer Host Families are:

  • Warm, welcoming and open-minded people
  • Often international travelers themselves or would like to be
  • Proud to share their American culture and lifestyle
  • Interested in learning about other cultures
  • Eager to include a student in their family and community
  • Happy to receive a modest tax deduction for hosting

    CCI Academic Year/Semester Students are:

  • Boys and girls, ages 15-18 years old
  • Arriving in August and January, for 5 or 10 month programs
  • Representing 40 countries worldwide
  • Academically strong students
  • Talented in music, art, dance, sports, computers, more
  • Proficient in English
  • Eager to experience life in America and share their culture
  • Well-screened by our sending partners abroad
  • Individually matched to your family's interests
  • Prepared to assume responsibilities of daily life
  • Instructed to bring adequate spending money
  • Fully insured during their stay
  • Encouraged by their natural parents at home

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What is expected from the volunteer host family?

• A separate bed and a quiet place to study
• Daily meals with the family
• Some local transportation
• Open communication, encouragement and sound advice
• Treatment as a member of the family (chores, rules, privileges)

What is expected of students?

• Be a responsible and caring member of the family
• Attend school regularly and show consistent effort
• Share his/her culture and customs with hosts and community
• Participate fully in family and school life
• Open communication and commitment to the program

What can you expect of CCI?
Founded in 1985, the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is an organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development, and world peace.

In addition to our National Office staff in Chicago, IL, CCI has a strong and dedicated network of local area representatives and Regional Directors, working hand-in-hand with families, students and schools across the U.S. CCI's professional staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and stands ready to serve program participants in several ways:

• Advocate for the program in the local community
• Interview host families and verify personal references
• Match students and families with similar interests
• Administer and monitor school admissions
• Meet/greet and orient new students and families
• Clarify expectations and uncover misunderstandings
• Provide ongoing support and advice

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How does a family apply to host?
If you and your family are interested in hosting, please follow one of the convenient steps listed below:

• Fill out and send the online inquiry form by clicking below. Your local Area Representative will be in touch with you shortly!

• Call toll free 800-634-4771 and speak to one of our staff members about hosting! Please tell us how you heard about CCI, too.

Experience Becoming a Host Family!

CCI invites you and your family to join thousands of other families across the U.S. who enjoy the enriching and rewarding experience of becoming a volunteer host family!

We look forward to sharing this wonderful cultural exchange experience with you and your family!

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