Cultural Homestay International (CHI) is a non-profit, public benefit, educational organization. For over 25 years, CHI has offered multi-faceted cultural exchange programs including the Internship Program, Group Homestay Program, Academic Year Program, Au Pair, USA Work & Travel and Camp USA.

CHI's mission is to bring people of diverse cultures together so those who participate gain a greater knowledge and understanding of one another. CHI believes that the best way to learn about the cultures languages and customs of other countries is through international educational exchanges and homestay programs.

CHI's main administrative office is located in the northern California community of San Anselmo, just north of San Francisco. All CHI's pe rsonnel are committed to the ideals of international exchange and friendship.

Cultural Homestay International (CHI) would like to invite you, young professionals, university students and recent college graduates, to consider the many benefits of the CHI Internship Program (IP). The practical experience in an American Host Business gives you the opportunity to put your educational knowledge and your university major "to work" in your chosen professional field. In the process you will gain an in-depth understanding of the American business, society and culture. The IP experience will contribute significantly to the realization of your future career goals.

CHI works in partnerships with student exchange organizations in 42 countries. They will guide you in the application procedures, administer tests and will evaluate your credentials. Final decision is made by the CHI's IP Admissions Department in San Anselmo, California. They are authorized to issue Form 2019 for the J-1 visa, which may be valid for up to 12 months.

Cultural Homestay International's field staff works tirelessly to make sure your Internship is successful, meaningful and beneficial to your professional growth.

Cultural Homestay International's Internship Program (IP) is a practical "on-the-job" training in an American business for overseas University students and young professionals. The Internship bridges the Intern's course of study to their career development objectives. While CHI Interns gain practical knowledge in their specialized fields, the American staff gains international cultural and business awareness. The Interns not only gain valuable insight into the American business methods and practices, they immerse themselves into the American society and culture.

Cultural Homestay International (CHI) is designated by the U.S. Department of State to issue Form 2019 for J-1 Internship visas to qualified IP applicants.

Internship Options
CHI offers three IP program options. Some applicants prefer to find their own internships while others, with more complex or unique professional fields of interest, delegate the locating and matching with appropriate Host Businesses to us.

The options are called:
1) Self-arranged IP - paid or unpaid
2) CHI-arranged IP - unpaid
3) CHI-arranged IP - paid

Benefit your Business
Cultural Homestay International would like to invite you to consider the many benefits of welcoming a well-educated and highly motivated international Intern in your enterprise. Your staff will not only learn about the Intern's country and its culture, but the eagerness of the participant to learn, the cross-pollination of ideas, and a novel, "outside-the-box" thinking will make your young overseas professional a valuable member of your work team.