Hosting Opportunities
Upcoming Dates
Short-Term Groups
2025 Winter and Spring
- January 11 to February 7: Scholarship Program for High School students from Kiribati based in downtown Portland
- January 19 to February 8: University students from various countries at Portland State University
- February 2 to February 22: University students from various countries at Portland State University
- February 16 to March 8: University students from various countries at Portland State University
- March 23 to March 30: Japanese high school students at Pacific International Academy
2025 Summer and Fall: Estimated Dates
- July 9 to July 23: Japanese High School students at Portland State University
- July 25 to August 8: High School students from various countries at Portland State University
- August 3 to August 23: University students from various countries at Portland State University
- August 3 to September 27: Japanese University students at Pacific International Academy (University of Portland campus)
- August 17 to September 6: University students from various countries at Portland State University
- October 24 to November 14: Japanese high school students at Portland State University
Long-Term Students
We work with international students attending Portland-metro area colleges, universities, and language schools for an academic term or longer. Students and hosts are asked to commit to the homestay for at least one term, with the option to extend. Term length depends on the academic calendar of the school the student is attending. Most schools in the area have terms that are about 3-months long.
Schools Students Have Attended:
- Portland State University
- Clark College
- Lewis and Clark College
- Mt Hood Community College
- Pacific International Academy
- Pacific University
- Portland Community College: Rock Creek, Sylvania, and Cascade Campuses
Who can host?
This is a great program for Portland-metro area residents interested in mutual cultural exchange. Hosts should be excited to learn about another culture, welcome a student from abroad, include them in their household’s daily activities, engage them in English conversations, and make them feel like part of the household.
The commute between home and school needs to be under 60-minutes on public transportation. If the commute is over 60 minutes, you would still be eligible to host a short-term student if you can help your student part or all of the way to and from school. Check the commute to Portland State University or other schools with TriMet or GoogleMaps.
Why Host?
True to the nature of exchange, both students and hosts reap the benefits that come with cultural exchanges.
Explore New Cultures
Hosting an international student can (re)ignite a curiosity for other languages, cultures, customs, cuisine, and so much more. You may have studied other countries and regions in school, but hearing stories, trying recipes, and getting to know someone from another background makes the learning experience much more personal.
Create a Global Family
Although students come for just a few weeks at a time, many stay in touch with their hosts for years after their trip. Sometimes students may return to visit, or hosts go to their student’s home to experience the other side of the exchange. Whether you see each other again in person or just stay in touch through social media, hosting can be the beginning of a life-long relationship that spans countries and continents.
Gain and Share Perspectives
Welcoming an international visitor is a great opportunity to learn about another perspective, but it also gives you the chance to reflect on your own. Sharing traditions, explaining habits and customs to your student, and discussing opinions on a variety of subjects can allow you to step back and see your own culture from the perspective of your student.