American Homestay Network Expands into the San Francisco Bay Area
Industry: Education
Standards-based homestay services now available for students attending Bay Area universities, colleges, and English schools
San Francisco, CA (PRUnderground) June 25th, 2014
The San Francisco office of the American Homestay Network has opened up the Bay Area to industry-leading homestay programs for students in college, high school, and short-term study tours, as well as international professionals seeking a more comprehensive cultural immersion.
Homestay has long been an important housing option globally for visiting students and professionals, though America has lagged behind in accepting and mainstreaming homestay. Guests seek it out as a way to get a more immersive experience of local language and culture. Homestay provides a private and comfortable place to stay and the logistical, social, and emotional support of a family – all while the guest gets a chance to practice English skills and participate in traditions and day-to-day experiences.
In return, the host family, which can be a family, couple, single, fellow student, or any other type of family, receives $1000+ in compensation for providing a room and warm welcome to the guest. Hosts receive a larger fee if they opt to provide meals and/or transportation.
San Francisco’s new American Homestay Network office was launched by local entrepreneur, Phil Sacino. Mr. Sacino is the founder and former CEO of one of Northern California’s leading cruise travel and tour companies. His prior background includes executive leadership positions in the tech industry as well as management with several large consumer brands. His enthusiasm for travel and community and his deep experience growing companies put him in a prime position to take advantage of the emerging mainstream acceptance of homestay, led by the expansion of peer-to-peer services like Uber and AirBnB.
“Everybody wins.” says Sacino. “The guest gets a richer experience, the host brings a cultural exchange right into their home and makes extra money at the same time. And we feel certain that this region, with world-leading institutions like Stanford, UC Berkeley, and USF, is ripe for launching an industry that Americans are ready to embrace.”
The American Homestay Network was founded in 2012 to bring the best practices and technologies deployed by acclaimed Australian Homestay Network to the American homestay industry. With practices based on the Australian model, which relies on industry standards widely recognized as the highest in the world, AHN is also currently serving guests in Washington, Oregon, Georgia, Arizona, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Southern California, Massachusetts, Texas, and Virginia.
About American Homestay Network
The American Homestay Network is setting a new global standard for homestay. The
company’s network of regional offices supports a pool of hosts and partners, all of
whom strive to provide international students with a culturally enriching homestay
experience in an American home. The American Homestay Network, established in
2012, is based on the values of Australian Homestay Network: exceptionally trained
hosts offering enriching experiences to international students. For more information,
visit www.homestaynetwork.com.
