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International Students in Need of Homestay Hosts in Seattle

Industry: Education

Families with an extra room can enjoy a cultural experience within their home.

Redmond, WA (PRUnderground) October 6th, 2014

International student enrollment numbers continue to increase at record speed. More than 13,000 international students came to the Seattle area over the last 10 years, making Seattle the 16th most popular city in the US for these students. During that same time, Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program reported that students paid $292 million dollars in tuition in the Seattle area, bringing a cultural and economic boost to the city and its colleges, and helping to fund programs threatened by the current budget crisis.

In Seattle, the student applications for homestays (housing with an American family) have increased by 40% since last year. “Students are realizing that beginning their studies in the US with a welcoming and supportive home environment and genuine cultural immersion helps speed language acquisition and supports academic success. Homestay can offer that“,  says AHN CEO Glenda Sinclair.

With student applications at an all-time high, the Seattle region of American Homestay Network is in need of hosts and is reaching out to the community asking Seattle to open their homes to visiting students from around the world. Hosts receive training, a variety of different homestay options, and 24/7 support during the student’s stay, as well as a significant stipend for expenses.

AHN compensates hosts in Seattle $490-$760 per month.  A budget-conscious host will make a good profit from the host stipend or a family more interested in a rich cultural experience can use the stipend to fund outings and experiences that allow family and friends to enjoy a connected cultural experience without having to set foot on a plane.

“Once you get the bug for hosting, you will always be looking forward to meeting your next student”, says one Seattle-area AHN host.  “We go hiking, play board games, talk about the differences and similarities in our lives, cook together, and sometimes find fun and funny experiences in the day-to-day.  These students are absolutely a part of our family.”

Host families may be any kind of family – with kids of any age, retirees, single people, friends and roommates, or any warm, welcoming group that shares a home and has an extra room.  Compensation varies based on meals and transportation provided (can be all, some, or none) and proximity to school.

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. In Seattle, AHN has host families near all of the major universities and colleges including University of Washington, Cascadia Community College, Seattle Central Community College, Seattle Pacific University, and Shoreline Community College.

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.

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