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Why Host with Go World?

Cultural Immersion

Hosting an exchange student is a powerful way to bring the world to your doorstep. Through shared meals, daily routines, and heartfelt conversations, your family will experience another culture in a deep and personal way, no passport required.

Life changing Experience

The connections formed through hosting often evolve into lifelong friendships. You’re not only opening your home, you’re helping build a more globally minded, inclusive community right where you live.

Guided & Supported

Go World is with you every step of the way, from application to program completion. We provide hands-on training, responsive coordinators, and an open feedback loop ensuring that your experience is smooth, enriching, and personally meaningful.

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Host Family Fun

  • A smiling young boy with a peace sign and a woman holding a welcome sign at a park, with other people in the background and a sign that says "End Road Work."
  • Three people holding a colorful sign that reads 'Bonjour Eloi' with drawings of flowers and a film clapperboard in an airport terminal.
  • Group of people dining at a fast-food restaurant, enjoying fried chicken, fries, and beverages.
  • Two women smiling, one with hair dyed purple making a peace sign, the other with brown hair and a scarf, standing indoors in front of a door.
  • Group of people posing behind a decorative frame with colorful flowers and sugar skulls, at a farmers market event.
  • Group of ten people, including children and adults, sitting around a long diner table inside a restaurant, enjoying a meal.
  • A group of ten people sitting around a campfire at night, some roasting marshmallows, in a wooded outdoor area.
  • Two girls standing inside a house, holding a colorful painting of a sunset over a tropical island with palm trees.
  • Three people sitting in stadium seats, smiling at the camera, with a mostly empty stadium in the background.
  • Two young men, one with curly hair and glasses wearing a plaid shirt, and the other with short straight hair and glasses wearing a black jacket, standing outside a building. The man on the right holds a hand-drawn sign that says 'Welcome to America Li' with various doodles including characters and sports icons.
  • Group of six people smiling outdoors on a green lawn, trees and a park with benches in the background
  • Four teenagers outdoors, posing for a photo. The girl in front is wearing a gray cap and winking, giving a thumbs-up. The boy behind her is holding a water bottle and making a 'shh' gesture. The girl to the right has curly hair and sunglasses on her head, smiling. The girl in the middle is showing a thumbs-up.
  • Two women traveling at an airport, standing on an escalator with departure information screens overhead, one wearing glasses and a beige turtleneck, the other wearing a tan beanie and a black puffer jacket, smiling at the camera.
  • Group of five people standing outdoors under a large tree, posing with smiles. One girl holds a colorful bouquet of flowers, and another girl holds a welcome sign that says "Welcome Kokomi." There are two boys and two girls in casual clothing, with a park and a wooden fence in the background.
  • Group of people at an airport holding signs that say "Bienvenue Maelle," "Salut! Jules," "Salut! Martin," and a large yellow banner that reads "Go World-Chicago."
  • Three women taking a selfie in front of a gray curtain. The woman in the middle has black wavy hair, dark skin, and is smiling. The women on either side have light skin, brown hair, and are wearing glasses, both smiling.
  • Group of five people, including children and a man, standing in an outdoor parking lot with a van and solar panels above. They are smiling, holding signs, and carrying luggage.

 The Process

  • Reach out to Go World and get assigned a local Go World Coordinator. Contact Go World today to begin your journey! Once you reach out, you'll be connected with a dedicated Go World Coordinator based in your local area. They will answer any questions you have and share details about available programs.

  • Complete and submit the host family application, providing information about your family, home, and lifestyle.

  • As part of the screening process, family members over the age of 18 will undergo a background check and a Go World coordinator will visit your home to ensure it meets the hosting requirements.

  • Once approved, you will receive student assignments based on what would be the best fit for your family. You will receive details about your student, including contact information, interests, and a personal letter.

  • Get ready to be an awesome host family! At your host family orientation, we'll give you everything you need to make your exchange student feel right at home. We'll cover helpful tips and provide lots of resources to set you up for a great experience.

  • You’ll meet your new family member at the airport or group meeting spot and begin your cultural exchange adventure!

Become A Host Family

What Our Host Families Say

  • Four people standing outdoors holding welcome signs for California, with two young girls holding balloons and flowers. The signs say "Welcome to California Ayaka" and "Welcome to California Rio," decorated with stickers and hearts. They are under trees in a park-like area.

    Kocur Family

    “It was truly a wonderful two weeks enjoyed by the students and host families alike. We were assigned our students and were able to connect with them and their families before their arrival which provided a nice head start. Go World provides an enriching and rewarding experience for all involved and memories that will last a lifetime. There may have been some nervousness at the start, but in a short two weeks close bonds were well established and made saying goodbyes an uneasy task.”

  • Group of people enjoying a meal at a fast-food restaurant, with fried chicken, fries, and soft drinks on the table.

    Panella Family

    “Our favorite part of our hosting experience was sharing meals and stories around the dinner table, hearing them laugh with our kids, teaching each other new words, cooking together. Our least favorite was saying goodbye.”

  • A group of children and two adults standing on a grassy area holding welcome signs that read 'Minako Koko Welcome to America!' in a park, with trees, cars, and other people in the background.

    Lawrence Family

    “We had the chance to host a couple of Japanese exchange students and had a great experience. It was especially fun for our kids to interact with our students. Go World was well organized, our coordinator communicated with us throughout the whole trip, and our students were so kind and respectful. We would absolutely host again”

  • Group of people sitting at a restaurant table with food and drinks, smiling for the photo.

    Commer Family

    “My favorite part of the program was seeing my son and his American friends quickly become friends with the French students. The chemistry was amazing. I will be doing this again and it was an life changing experience.”

  • Two young women standing against a white wall, holding a birthday cake with strawberries on top and smiling.

    Pendleton Family

    “This was a life changing experience for my family. We hosted a wonderful girl from France! She and my daughter instantly bonded and became besties...We learned a lot about the French culture and in turn our student got a chance to experience the US firsthand! I highly recommend this program!”

FAQs

  • Host families welcome our teen and young adult participants as members of the family and provide a safe, welcoming environment for them.

  • Almost anyone! Host families can be single, married, with or without children, empty nesters or anyone over the age of 25 willing to open their home to our participants! We have programs across the US in California, New York, Illinois, Florida, DC, Oregon and more!

  • Host families provide a bed in a private or shared room, meals, and transportation to any planned activities, school or volunteer activities. Transportation requirements depend on the program.

  • Students can share a room with another students of the same gender from the same program, or with a host sibling of the same gender and similar age.

  • Students are expected to be helpful and courteous, respect and engage with their host families, and follow all local, state and federal laws of their host communities.

  • All students can speak English to be on program. They usually are proficient in English language, but may need support and practice.

  • Go World coordinators are there for you during the programs in case of an emergency or if you have any other concerns. They can help with conflict resolution, questions about health insurance and etc... Go World also has a 24 hour emergency number if you can’t get in touch with your coordinator. +1 (760) 559-3536

  • Yes, students have travel medical insurance and are expected to pay any out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Contact us by clicking on the link below and a member of our team will contact you! We have programs across the US including but not limited to California, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Florida and DC.

Read More On the Go World Blog

Blog
5 Reasons Families Love Hosting International Students
5 Reasons Families Love Hosting International Students

Opening your home to an international student can be a simple, meaningful way to experience cultural exchange. From everyday family moments to lasting friendships, here are five reasons families love hosting with Go World.

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What a Go World Program Looks Like: Two Weeks of Family, Friendship, and Discovery
What a Go World Program Looks Like: Two Weeks of Family, Friendship, and Discovery

This spring, students from Lyon, France experienced cultural exchange through host family traditions, American holidays, and a hands-on visit to the Museum of the City of New York. See what a Go World homestay program can look like through family, friendship, and discovery.

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Japan Homestay Experience: Paulo’s Story of Heritage & Host Family
Japan Homestay Experience: Paulo’s Story of Heritage & Host Family

Paulo from Hawaiʻi joined a Japan homestay program to connect with his heritage and experience cultural exchange through daily life with a local host family. His story shows how traveling abroad in Japan can create lasting connections.

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Top 5 Things to Know Before Hosting a Student
Top 5 Things to Know Before Hosting a Student

Learn what to expect when hosting an international student through Go World’s short-term cultural exchange programs. Real families, real stories, lasting impact.

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Become a host family

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