Love Foreign Culture? Become a Local Coordinator for Cultural Exchange!
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Want to Facilitate Cultural Exchange But Not Sure How?
Being a local coordinator is meaningful work, but it is not simple. Coordinators recruit and guide host families, support international exchange students, and help placements succeed in real communities. That means managing relationships, expectations, schedules, and challenges, often at the same time. Many coordinators worry about being left alone when issues arise or not having clear guidance from a sponsor. Without strong systems, communication, and backup, it can feel impossible to even start, much less succeed.
With United Studies, there’s a better way.
United Studies Gives You Support the Whole Way
For over 40 years United Studies has supported local coordinators across thousands of placements with clear structure, training, and ongoing involvement. We provide guidance, tools, and direct access to a responsive team that stays engaged throughout the program. Coordinators are never expected to handle everything alone.
With United Studies, you can focus on building relationships, supporting students and families, and creating meaningful cultural exchange programs in your community, knowing you have experienced backing every step of the way.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Explore Our International Exchange Programs
Ready to help bring cultural exchange to the United States? Explore our hosting options, from short term visits to full school year placements, and find the program that fits you best.
U.S. High School Immersion
Want to help a foreign student experience American high school? This immersive program allows students to attend a U.S. high school while living with a caring host family. Daily school life, family routines, and community activities come together to create real cultural exchange. Students build confidence, improve language skills, and experience what it truly feels like to be a U.S. high school student.
U.S. Homestay Program
Our homestay programs are designed to help visitors live like locals and experience everyday American life. By sharing meals, routines, and conversations with your family, participants build strong language immersion and cultural understanding naturally. Program lengths vary from short term stays to longer exchanges, making it easy to choose a timeline that fits your goals and comfort level.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Ready for Your Cultural Exchange?
Here’s How to Get Started
United Studies makes it simple, safe, and easy to experience real language immersion and cultural exchange programs. Whether you want to host an exchange student, visit the U.S., or hire international talent on a work visa, we guide you through the same steps:
01
Apply
Every program starts with our quick application. We’ll review and see if you’re a good fit for our international student exchange programs.
02
Approve Your Placement
Our programs place students with the right families and employers. We only move forward when we find a great match that fits everyone’s goals.
03
Enjoy Cultural Exchange
Everyone receives a rewarding foreign immersion experience that’s backed by full support from our extensive local coordination team.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Foreign Exchange Local Coordinator Frequently Asked Questions
It all starts with submitting your application! Once your cultural exchange application with us is approved, we will begin your training! You’ll be fully equipped to recruit host families, confirm placements, and support international foreign exchange programs.
A local coordinator supports international exchange students, host families, and placements within their community. Coordinators help students adjust, assist families, and serve as a trusted local contact throughout the international exchange experience. The role focuses on people, not paperwork.
Your job as a local coordinator has four key components:
1. Represent United Studies: Generate interest about exchange students in your community by promoting United Studies at community events.
2. Connect with local families: Network within your local community to recruit host families.
3. Work with local high schools: Build professional relationships with local high schools in order to secure placements for exchange students.
4. Support host families and exchange students: Provide support and guidance to both students and host families throughout the exchange program.
Other responsibilities include:
– Conduct host family interviews and orientations
– Conduct student orientations
– Maintain monthly contact with student and host families
– Submit regular reports on each student and host family
– Organize group activities to create memorable experiences for students and host families. Accompany group to all organized activities
– Organize welcome and farewell parties
– Maintain regular contact with the United Studies office
– Resolve any conflicts that arise between the student and host family
Requirements for Local Coordinators:
– 25 years of age or older
– Authorized to work in the United States
– Able to pass background check
– Willing to become Department of State certified
– Have a computer and reliable internet access
– Have reliable transportation
– Have excellent organizational skills
– Self-motivated
No prior experience is required. United Studies provides training, guidance, and resources so new coordinators feel prepared. What matters most is reliability, empathy, and interest in international education and cultural exchange.
Local coordinators are needed nationwide. United Studies supports placements across the United States and welcomes coordinators from many regions to help support student exchange programs in their communities.
Local coordinators are typically independent contractors and are compensated per placement. Payment structure is explained clearly before starting so expectations are transparent within the student exchange organization framework.
Yes, coordinators are expected to be available and assist during urgent situations, but they are never alone. United Studies provides backup support and guidance to ensure international exchange students and families receive proper care and direction.
United Studies has over 30 years of experience as a trusted student exchange organization. Our smaller, hands on approach means coordinators receive real support, clear communication, and respect for the important role they play in international education.
United Studies works with partner organizations in various countries who recruit and screen top high school students each year. The students are selected based on their academic abilities and are tested for English proficiency. All students attend an orientation in their home country before coming to the United States. The orientation provides them with a basic knowledge of the United States along with program policies.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Stories From Our Local Coordinators
Students, host families, coordinators, and employers all rave about our language immersion and cultural exchange programs. Read about it from our friends, communities, and successful placements:
The Complete Free Guide to Host Family Costs in 2026
Many families want to host foreign exchange students but worry about costs. They aren’t sure what’s expected of them and what their financial responsibilities will be. Our free guide to host family costs explains:
- Exactly what host families are responsible for
- What categories of expense host families can expect
- How you could get paid to host an exchange student
Ready to make your dream of bringing immersive cultural exchange from the world to your home a reality? Download our free guide today!
