Seeking Volunteer Host Families

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: Who can host?

CCI has always relied on volunteer families who open their hearts and home to an exchange student, bringing them into their family, and guiding them through this once in a lifetime experience in the United States. 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 with and without children, singles and single parents, and empty-nesters.

Students wanting host families include Paulina from Germany. Paulina enjoys playing tennis, dancing, photography, and is a member of the choir. Paulina has also studied French for four years and Spanish for two years. She likes to travel and has been to almost every country in Europe and is interested in learning more about other countries and cultures. She is looking forward to learning more about the American culture and lifestyle, making friends and spending time with her host family. Many students like Paulina from all over the world are awaiting host family placement in the United States before August 2011.

What is expected from the volunteer host family?
Host families treat the exchange student like a member of the family, providing open communication, encouragement, advice and sound parenting. CCI exchange students come with their own spending money and have accident and illness insurance coverage during their stay.

Families are expected to provide the student with his/her own room or a separate bed, three daily meals with the family, and local transportation. While CCI does not compensate host families, the Internal Revenue Service allows families to claim a $50 per month charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax return.

What is expected of students?

Exchange students are 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; and open communication and commitment to the program.

Students arrive with their own spending money and have medical and accident insurance.

What should you expect from the Center for Cultural Interchage (CCI)?

CCI has a strong and dedicated staff and network of Local Coodrinators and Regional Directors working with families, students and schools across the United States. Our dedicated team will match your family with a student based on similar interests; provide orientation and counseling to your family and student throughout the program; and provide you with 24 hour support and advice.

CCI is designated by the United States Department of State as a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor for the Secondary School program. CCI is currently granted full listing by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). We are also a member of the World Youth Student and Educational Travel Confederation (WYSTC), WYSE: Work Abroad Association, and The Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange. Individuals in our organization are also members of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

For more information on CCI, or becoming a host family with CCI, please visit us at http://www.cci-exchange.com/usprograms/host.aspx or call us toll-free at 800-634-4771.