Foreign Exchange Homestay Programs for Real Culture & Language Immersion
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Want to Visit the U.S. But Not Sure How to Plan Your Trip?
Living in another country sounds like an exciting cultural exchange, but it can also feel uncertain or dangerous. Planning your trip, finding places to stay, and navigating cities are all challenging. Language barriers, cultural differences, and fear of the unknown can make the experience feel distant or overwhelming. Many people worry about feeling isolated, misunderstood, or unsupported while far from home.
Potential host families for foreign exchange students also have questions. Opening your home to someone from another culture is meaningful, but it comes with responsibility. Clear expectations, support, and trust matter on both sides.
With United Studies, there’s a better way.
Our Homestay Program is Safe, Guided, and Enriching
United Studies removes the uncertainty by placing exchange visitors with caring host families who open their homes and share daily life. Homestay creates real connection, language growth, and cultural understanding in a way no classroom or hotel can offer. With guidance, screening, and ongoing support, both visitors and host families feel prepared and supported throughout the experience.
For over 40 years we’ve helped international exchange visitors fulfill their dreams of working and traveling in the U.S.. Our thousands of successful placements are proof you can come to the United States on a J1, F1, or travel visa and have an immersive and rewarding experience.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Foreign Exchange Homestay Program Overview
The United Studies Homestay Program allows international student exchange visitors to live with an American host family and experience daily life in the United States. Participants become part of the household, sharing meals, routines, and everyday moments that create true cultural exchange.
Homestay programs focus on connection, comfort, and learning through daily life. Visitors improve language skills, understand cultural norms, and build relationships that often last long after the stay ends.
United Studies offers multiple homestay options to fit different goals, timelines, and ages.
How the Homestay Program Works
We believe participants should always know what to expect. Our process is simple, guided, and predictable.
Step 1: Apply
Participants start by sharing their background, availability, and visit preferences. This helps ensure the right match.
Step 2: Visa and Placement
United Studies works with host families and local coordinators to place participants in well-matched homes. We also guide visa applications and program processes clearly.
Step 3: Arrival & Immersion
Once in the United States, students settle into their new home, start their program, and begin experiencing daily American life.
Step 4: Live in the United States
Participants enjoy the U.S. and American life to the fullest during their homestay program. You’ll experience cultural immersion like no other!
Step 5: Ongoing Support
Support does not stop after arrival. United Studies and local coordinators remain involved to help with questions, challenges, and adjustments along the way.
Stories From Our Student Exchange Programs
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:
Homestay Program Requirements
The homestay program is designed for students who want to enjoy 2-4 weeks of immersion in America. The focus of the program is on enjoying the local culture and language immersion, but there are some requirements:
- Typical expectations for visitors include:
- Age 14-17 years
- Sufficient English skills to carry basic conversations
- Openness to new routines and cultural norms
- Respect for household and school rules
- Willingness to communicate and participate in family life
- Adherence to U.S. laws and the code of conduct established between United Studies, the host family, and the participant
- Typical expectations for host families include:
- Providing a safe home, meals, and a private or shared bedroom
- Treating the visitor like a member of the family
- Helping with transportation to school or activities when needed
These expectations help create a safe and positive environment for participants and host families.
Summer Homestay vs. U.S. High School Experience
United Studies offers two homestay programs: summer and high school. These two options both offer meaningful cultural exchange and language immersion experiences, but they have different lengths and goals. Here’s how they break down:
American High School Exchange Experience
Are you interested in experiencing life as an American high school student but are not able to participate in our 5- or 10-month U.S. high school academic program? Or do you want to do a short-term trial of the exchange experience before signing up for the full high school program? Our American School Experience might be perfect for you! During the week you attend classes at a local American high school and take exciting field trips, and on the weekends you get to enjoy activities with your American host family! It’s the best of both worlds!
High School Culture Exchange Program Details:
- Program Length: 2 Weeks
- Student Ages: 14-17 Years Old
- Group sizes: 10-15 with Chaperones
- Time Frame: Fall or Spring
- Location: Washington D.C. Vicinity
- Accommodation: Host Family
Summer Homestay Foreign Exchange Experience
The Short-Term Summer Homestay cultural exchange program is the perfect opportunity for foreign exchange students who want to live with an American host family, improve their English skills and fully immerse themselves in the American culture for four weeks during the summer. Along with day-to-day life with their host family, students will also have the opportunity to participate in at least one exciting group activity per week! What better way to spend your summer vacation than by participating in our summer exchange program?
U.S. Summer Vacation Program Details:
- Program Length: 4 Weeks
- Student Ages: 14-17 Years Old
- Group Sizes: 10-15 with Chaperones
- Time Frame: June, July, August
- Location: Washington DC, Kansas, and North/South Carolina
- Accommodation: Host Family
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
Build Memories and Skills with Cultural Exchange
Homestay is more than a place to stay. It is a chance to build confidence, improve language skills, and form real relationships. Visitors gain insight into American culture, while families experience the world without leaving home.
With United Studies, homestay is guided, supported, and built on trust, so everyone involved can focus on learning, connection, and meaningful exchange.
Ready to experience life with a host family?
Start your homestay journey with guidance you can trust.
Want to host an exchange student but worried about funding their experience? Download our free guide to host family costs in 2026.
U.S. Homestay Culture Exchange Program
Frequently Asked Questions
It all starts with submitting your application! We have international work abroad partners in Europe, South America, and Asia. Once your cultural exchange application with us is approved, we will connect you with one of our partners to begin your journey.
In the case that an Exchange Visitor cannot come on program due to a pandemic (travel interruptions, governmental proclamations, employer cancellations), United Studies will follow the published cancellation/withdrawal policy.
In the case that an Exchange Visitor is already on program while a pandemic occurs, United Studies will work with the home country agency, the home country embassy, and the host employer to determine the best care and repatriation options per Exchange Visitor.
Any high school student between the ages of 14 – 17 years of age can apply for either the American School Experience or the Summer Homestay. You should also have a good level of both written and spoken English (studied at least two years), be open to new experiences, and excited to live with an American host family.
United Studies works with International Partners in many countries to determine what locations we send the Short-Term Homestay groups to. Please contact us (or your sending organization) to find out what destinations are available to you!
Not necessarily. Just as you must be flexible about living in any type of area for your homestay, you should also be open to living in any type of family. Our host families are diverse and can be couples without children, single parents, families with young children and/or teenagers, or retirees.
United Studies offers Short-Term Homestay options during the school year (typically late fall to early spring excluding the holiday season in December) as well the summer.
Typically the American School Experience is a two-week program, whereas the Short-Term Summer Homestay is typically a four-week program.
While we do allow families to host two students during short-term homestays, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to stay with your best friend or someone else from your group.
There are times that an Exchange Visitor misplaces their Form DS-2019 or their Passport. Both can be replaced. United Studies can provide an Exchange Visitor with a replacement Form DS-2019.
An Exchange Visitor that has a lost or has an expired Passport will need to arrange an appointment with their home country embassy that is closest to their locale here in the U.S.
Exchange Visitors should not expect to travel on a Passport that will expire 6 months from the date of arrival to the U.S.
Fees may apply for document replacement.
Exchange Visitors should not expect to travel on a Passport that will expire 6 months from the date of arrival to the U.S.
In the case that an Exchange Visitor must cancel or withdraw from the Homestay program before their arrival into the U.S., the Exchange Visitor would need to visit the program agreement with their home country agency to determine their refund eligibility.
Our Cancellation & Refund Policy attempts to protect both our Exchange Visitors and United Studies.
$100-If your home country agency sends us your application and you withdraw, the program is cancelled, or United Studies is unable to complete your program, $100 of your program fee will be held by United Studies.
$250-If United Studies has accepted your application and applied for your Form DS-2019 with the U.S. Department of State, and you withdraw, are not approved for your Visa, the program is cancelled, or United Studies is unable to complete your program, $250 of your program fee will be held by United Studies.
The United Studies Summer Work and Travel team manages and vets your application, employers, job offers, and housing. This administrative work is covered by charging the above fees.
If an Exchange Visitor cancels or withdraws after they arrive in the U.S., the Exchange Visitor is not eligible for a refund of any program fees from United Studies.
Exchange Visitors are covered by health insurance during their CC program dates. Program dates are from the start date to the end date listed on an Exchange Visitor’s Form DS-2019.
General illness, emergencies, and Covid-19 are covered by the United Studies selected health insurance. Preventative Covid-19 testing is not covered.
United Studies strongly encourages an Exchange Visitor to purchase insurance to cover the dates that they will remain in the U.S. during their Grace Period.
Each Exchange Visitor is eligible for up to a 30-day Grace Period at the end of their program dates to travel and explore the U.S. However, an Exchange Visitor is expected to return in time to begin university coursework.
Each Exchange Visitor has a Sponsor in the U.S. that works with your international partner to prepare your documents and is your contact while you are in the U.S. A Sponsor prepares your DS-2019, validates you in SEVIS, and reviews your monthly check-ins.
United Studies is a U.S. Sponsor.
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 explore the U.S. as an exchange visitor? We have work and study abroad programs that fit every international exchange student’s dreams. Learn more about our complete culture and language immersion programs in the United States:
U.S. High School Immersion
Want to experience American high school? This immersive program is built around learning, family life, and culture.
U.S. Homestay Program
Our homestay programs help you live like a local and build language immersion through daily life. Lengths vary to fit your desired exchange timeline.
Summer Camp Program
Join a U.S. summer camp as a counselor or staff member for a fun, skill-building cultural immersion experience you won’t forget!
Work and Travel Program
Want to explore the U.S. but can’t just go on vacation? Our work and travel program let’s you grow your finances and travel the nation.
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 Host Families
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!
