Travel abroad through cultural immersion, not just sightseeing
Join a homestay program and live like a local
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Living with a host family allows you to experience a new culture firsthand. You will engage in daily routines, traditions, and social practices, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the host country's lifestyle. This immersion can enhance your global awareness and adaptability.
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A homestay encourages you to step outside your comfort zone. Navigating a foreign environment fosters independence, problem-solving skills, and cultural sensitivity. These experiences contribute to personal development, helping you become more self-reliant and open-minded individuals.
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Form bonds with people from around the globe. The friendships you build during your exchange will last a lifetime, enriching your personal and professional network.
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Staying with native speakers provides an invaluable opportunity to practice and improve language skills. You can learn through natural conversation, which often leads to better retention and fluency than formal classroom settings. This practical application of language boosts confidence and communication abilities.
Solo Homestay Programs
Fully customized cultural immersion homestay programs for teen and young adults.
What are People Saying?
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![A young person with glasses, braces, and red hair smiling while holding a shellfish tool over a plate of shellfish at a restaurant.]()
“Traveling to France changed my perspective on French culture beyond learning the language. French culture didn’t just come to life; it became familiar, woven into my life in a way no textbook could. My time in Lyon has shaped me. The friends I made welcomed me into French culture. More than just improving my French, the trip changed the way I see the world. What once felt foreign became familiar, and in the process, the world itself felt a little more like home.”
- Student
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![Two young men stand on a busy city street in front of a shopping entrance, pointing at each other. They are dressed casually in black t-shirts, shorts, and socks with slides. Behind them is a street sign, buildings, and other pedestrians.]()
“The program exceeded my expectations. The family selected was fantastic, I felt my kids were in great hands and well taken care of. It was worry free. It was a great balance of free time and activities. My kids experienced a trip of a life time and have already expressed interest in going back”
- Parent
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![A smiling young man with a backpack standing inside an airport terminal near escalators, with travelers walking and sitting in the background.]()
“Traveling to Japan helped me learn about different cultures and differences. My favorite part of the experience was becoming close with the host family.”
- Student
FAQs
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Applicants must submit an online application, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The personal statement should include what the applicant hopes to gain from the travel abroad experience and what they can give back to their host community.
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Group programs and most solo programs are two weeks. Solo travelers can travel for 1-3 weeks and customize their options.
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You'll live with a host family in a private or shared bedroom, with access to shared facilities and meals. For excursions outside of the host community, there may be hotel accommodations in a shared room.
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Host families undergo a rigorous screening process, including background checks, home visits, and interviews.
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Your local coordinator will be fluent in English, and the host family may have some English. There are several translation apps that can be used as well to help with communication.
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Living with a host family, attending local schools or language classes, and participating in cultural activities and excursions give our students a fully immersive cultural experience.
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Yes! Our solo programs are customizable. You can travel with one or more friends and we can design a program that works for your group.
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Our dedicated program staff, including a bilingual local coordinator, are available to support you throughout your program. There is also a 24 hour support line for emergencies.
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Go World provides travel medical insurance for the duration of your trip and your host family and partner coordinator will make sure you get the medical attention you need at a local health center.
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We do not change host families solely based on preference, however if issues arise we offer support in resolving conflicts and only change host families if absolutely necessary on a case-by-case basis.
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If traveling as a solo participant, you will be greeted at the airport by either your host family or the local coordinator in your host country. If traveling with a group, the local coordinator will greet the group. Groups also travel with a dedicated Go World leader.
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While it is possible that there will be a host sibling your age, it is not guaranteed.
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Yes, our programs include opportunities to interact with with peers in your host community.
