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Homestay and Community Volunteering

 
 

Welcome new international students to the Pacific Northwest!

Potential hosts and volunteers

If you are not yet a Homestay Host/ Volunteer, here are the overall requirements:

  • Must live within one hour via public transit to at least one university or college in the greater Seattle area.

  • Individuals, couples, and families are all welcome to participate!

  • Fill out Community Volunteer Application

  • Contact Olena Vlasova at olena@fiuts.org for more information or if you need help with the application process.

  • Upcoming opportunities:

  • April 10-24: Pan-African Youth Leadership group (21 youth participants (ages 16-18) from Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and 8 adult mentors)

  • June 25 - July 3rd, 2024: Study of the US Institute on Civic Engagement (20 college students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Russia - 1 week homestay).

  • July 12-14th, July 19-21, 2024: Kiribati youth participants (two weekend homestay opportunities, you can do both or just one)

  • July 17-30th, 2024: Iraqi Youth Ambassadors (high school students from Iraq)

  • July 26-August 7th, 2024: Iraqi Youth Ambassadors (high school students from Iraq)

  • August 10-18th, 2024: Japanese college students from Konda University with classes at UW Bothell

CURRENT HOSTS

A lot has changed in the last few years for FIUTS and for members of our community. To help us out, please take a few minutes to click the button below and update your host profile with your basic information: Name, email, phone, pets, address, and a bio of yourself/ family that would be given to any student that you host. We appreciate your help!  You can also fill out our availability survey and check out upcoming homestay opportunities to continue building memories with students from around the world.

Upcoming opportunities:

Pan-African Youth Leadership group (21 youth participants (ages 16-18) from Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and 8 adult mentors) (April 10-24)

Why become a host? 

“FIUTS presents a unique opportunity to welcome International Students, highlight the city of Seattle and enrich the lives of the families that participate. There are so many benefits to hosting a student for all involved. We learned about a new culture, we shared new experiences and our daughter learned kindness, acceptance and hospitality. This program allows us to connect with other people in a fun and intimate way that is safe and stress-free! ”
— Jennifer Dennis, Homestay Host
“What’s the mirror image of a trip around the world? Hosting international guests. You experience the trip from the other side. International guests teach you about their culture (and also about yours). They can expand your way of thinking, help you learn a language, introduce you to new foods, and become lifelong friends. ”
— Ashley Steel

Since 1948, Seattle families and individuals have been welcoming incoming international students into their lives and homes through programs like Short-term Homestay, Thanksgiving dinner, and Friendship Connections. You have the power to continue the tradition and make Seattle a welcoming place for incoming international students. 

By being a community volunteer for a homestay or friendship program through FIUTS, you:

  • are a blowtorch against the Seattle Freeze

  • express values of cultural diversity, inclusion, and hope

  • promote peace and connections between our region and communities across the globe

  • learn about other cultures, and expand your own world view

  • create lasting relationships with students that may extend to visiting their home countries, attending their weddings, or simply catching up online

  • improve the experience of incoming international students and provide them with an experience of someone who actually lives in the US, rather than a stereotype in their mind from movies or television

Your warmth, hospitality and effort makes all the difference. Interested in getting involved? Let us know!