07/16/2026
Greetings,
My name is Isaiah Whaley, and I'm writing in hopes that you might be willing to share a message with your community.
I work with a nonprofit organization called High School in the USA, which places international high school students with volunteer host families in the United States so they can attend public school and experience daily family life.
We are currently looking for volunteer host families for the 2026–2027 school year. The students are ages 15–18 and come from countries such as Germany, France, Brazil, Spain, Thailand, Belgium and others. Some students will stay for 1 semester, others for both Fall & Spring.
Families who have hosted often describe it as a meaningful and memorable experience, and many remain in contact with their student long after the program ends.
What a host family provides:
• A private bedroom for the student
• Three meals a day
• A welcoming home environment for the school year
This is the full extent of the financial commitment. Students can take the school bus to and from school, bring their own spending money for personal items and extracurricular activities, are not permitted to drive while in the United States, and have medical insurance for the duration of their exchange year.
Each student has a written profile that includes their background, family, interests, and goals for their exchange year. Host families are able to review these profiles and select a student they feel would be a good fit. From there, we arrange a couple of interviews between the family and the student. If both sides feel comfortable moving forward, an official placement is made, and the student then chooses whether to accept or decline.
As a host family, you would also complete an application, and everyone 18 years and older must pass a background check.
It's also worth noting that household expectations such as dietary preferences, electronics, and chores can be discussed and agreed upon in advance. Our goal is for the student to clearly understand the home environment before arrival, and for the host family to feel comfortable and respected in their own home.
You'll have a local coordinator who walks you through the entire process — your support before, during, and after the student is on program.
For planning purposes, there is a soft deadline of August 3rd, due to the time needed for student approvals and placement coordination before the school year begins.
This is a volunteer opportunity with no financial reimbursement. The families who tend to find it most meaningful are those who feel called to hospitality and service, or who simply have extra space and an open home.
If anyone you know would like to view student profiles or has questions, they are welcome to contact me directly. There is no pressure — we simply want to make the opportunity known.
Thank you for your time and for considering sharing this with others.
Warmly,
Isaiah Whaley
865-809-0885
[email protected]
High School USA offers international students a life-changing opportunity to attend high school in the U.S. and live like an American teen. High School in the USA-HSUSA helps students all over the globe find themselves, expand their world and discover intercultural opportunities through studying in....
