High School Homestay in the USA

Help build cultural exchange in your community. Host a student from your sister city for an academic year or semester under our J-1 Visa High School Homestay in the USA program.

High School Homestay participant with her host family

The High School Homestay in the USA program is an opportunity for member cities to host students from their sister city for a year or semester of high school in the United States. This program exposes international students to U.S. culture and society in the spirit of citizen diplomacy, and allows host families to become part of a young person’s life-changing experiences. In partnership with the American Cultural Exchange Services (ACES), a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsoring organization, ACES will sponsor Sister Cities International’s long term high school exchanges in the United States and will ensure compliance with all federal and CSIET requirements.

Responsibilities

The international cities choose the high school students. The United States-based sister city will provide oversight for the student, recruit a host family, and include the student in sister city activities.

High School Homestay students in Omaha Nebraska

The High School Homestay in the USA program is at the heart of Sister City International’s mission of creating bonds between people from different cities around the world. In addition, the program benefits host families and local school communities. Students frequently report that their experiences are “life-changing”, and indeed they often make friendships that last a lifetime.

Minimum Requirements for Participation:

  • The applicant must be a secondary school student in their home country who has not previously participated in a J-1 or F-1 exchange program. 
  • Applicants must be at elast 15 years old by August 1 of the program year, and cannot be older than 18.5 years old by the program start date. 
  • Applicants must have studied English in school for a minimum of three years, and have the ability to succesfully manage in a U.S. high school and family. Language competency is determined by conducting a personal interview in English and by taking the ELTIS (English Language Test for International Students) exam. 
  • Applicants must have a great point average of C+ or better in their home country’s school. Complete school transcripts for the current and two previous academic years (three years total) must be submitted as a part of the application. 
  • Applicants must be in good physical and mental health. 
  • Applicants must be mature, responsible, and of good character. 
  • Applicants must complete the ACES application, which includes the ELTIS tesat and interview.

For more information on the High School Homestay Exchange, please email youth@sistercities.org.

To find out more about the program costs, eligibility requirements, important dates, local coordinators, application processes, medical insurance and English language proficiency tests, please contact Debbie Li, Executive Director, ACES – American Cultural Exchange Service by phone at 1-800-661-2237 or 425-453-2237. You can also contact her by email at debbie@exploretheworld.org.