Welcoming Students with ENCOUNTERS
Host families help students experience everyday life through real connection, participation, and cultural exchange.
Host families help students experience everyday life through real connection, participation, and cultural exchange.
ENCOUNTERS works with host families to provide supportive home environments where international students can participate in daily routines, communicate naturally, and experience life as part of a family and community.
Families are not expected to create entertainment or act as tour guides.
The experience is built around inclusion, communication, and shared participation in normal daily life.
What hosting involves
Host families provide students with a welcoming and supportive home environment during their program.
This typically includes:
• including students in daily family life
• providing meals and a place to stay
• helping students adapt to routines and schedules
• encouraging communication and participation
• offering a supportive and respectful environment
Students participate as temporary members of the household while continuing their school and program experience.
Support and coordination
ENCOUNTERS provides structure and ongoing coordination throughout the program.
This includes:
• preparation and orientation before arrival
• communication throughout the program
• coordination with schools, students, and families
• local support when questions or concerns arise
• ongoing guidance during the experience
Host families are supported throughout the program and are never expected to manage situations independently.
Why families participate
Many host families value the opportunity to:
• experience cultural exchange firsthand
• build meaningful international connections
• introduce students to everyday life and traditions
• create new perspectives for their own families
• support student growth and confidence
Hosting often becomes a meaningful experience not only for students, but for the entire family.
Start a conversation
If your family is interested in learning more about hosting, we begin with a conversation.
We’ll discuss the program structure, expectations, timing, and whether hosting may be a good fit for your household.