Cultural Homestay International

What Cultural Homestay International does

Cultural Homestay International (CHI) is a non-profit educational exchange organization headquartered in San Rafael, California, founded in 1980 by Tom and Lilka Areton. It is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a sponsor for J-1 exchange visitor visas and operates fifteen distinct program lines, including Academic Year, Au Pair, Camp Leaders, Group Homestay, Short-Term Enrichment Program (STEP), Internship and Training, Work and Travel, World Explorers, Teacher Assistant, Virtual Internship, Teen Homestay, Volunteer Abroad, High School Abroad, Private High School, and TEFL Certification. The organization functions as a two-sided marketplace that recruits international participants through overseas partner agencies in 100+ countries and places them with vetted U.S. host families, schools, camps, and businesses.

CHI's core technology stack is operational rather than digital: participant applications, host family vetting, DS-2019 visa documentation, and State Department compliance are managed by an 8-person team supported by regional coordinators. The platform's principal assets are the bilateral recruitment network (overseas sending agencies and U.S. host family recruitment), institutional placement relationships (500+ camps, school districts, and businesses), and 45 years of accumulated compliance expertise.

The business model is fee-based: participants pay program-specific fees (e.g., $699 for World Explorers, $1,499–$1,899 for Teacher Assistant), with additional revenue from host family placement fees and J-1 sponsorship services. CHI has served 300,000+ students from 130+ countries and counts 2 million cumulative supporters across 103 countries, with 32,000+ participants placed through its camp leaders program alone. As a non-profit, surplus is reinvested into program operations rather than distributed to owners.

Name

Cultural Homestay International

Legal name

Cultural Homestay International

Website

https://chinet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Cultural Homestay International is a San Rafael, California-based non-profit designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 visa sponsor, placing international students and young professionals with U.S. host families, schools, camps, and businesses across 15 exchange programs since 1980.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Exchange Programs

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Language Schools (61163)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Country Placement, Homestay & On-Ground Coordination Services (EDAIAGAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homestay Placement & Host Family Management (EDAIALAC), Secondary School Exchange Programs (Academic Year/Semester) (EDAIAHAB), Short-Term Secondary Immersion & Cultural Exchange Trips (EDAIAHAD), One-to-One Immersion & Homestay Language Programs (EDAIAEAH), Cultural/Language-Exchange Home Stays (THAMABAJ)

Keywords

• Cultural exchange programs
• J-1 visa sponsorship
• Au pair services
• Homestay programs
• International student exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

San Rafael

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Program Fees from Participants: CHI charges program fees to international and American participants who enroll in exchange programs. Fees vary by program: World Explorers starts at $699, Teacher Assistant programs range from $1,499-$1,899 depending on duration and destination.
2. Host Family Placement Fees: U.S. host families pay fees to host exchange students, au pairs, and other participants. The Au Pair program provides affordable live-in childcare in exchange for hosting fees.
3. J-1 Visa Sponsorship Services: As a U.S. Department of State-designated J-1 visa sponsor, CHI facilitates visa sponsorship for exchange visitors, generating revenue through administrative fees associated with program sponsorship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cultural Homestay International (CHI) is a non-profit educational organization that designs and administers J-1 visa-sponsored cultural exchange programs. It connects international participants (high school students, university students, young professionals, and au pairs) with American host families, schools, businesses, and summer camps, and offers outbound programs for Americans to live, study, and work abroad. Revenue is generated through program fees paid by participants and cooperating host families/employers.

Product overview

Cultural Homestay International (CHI) operates a comprehensive portfolio of cultural exchange programs organized across five main categories: Educational Programs (Academic Year, Group Homestay, STEP, High School Abroad, Private High School), Childcare Programs (Au Pair, Au Pair Abroad), Work Experience Programs (Internship & Training, Work & Travel USA, CHI Camp Leaders), Travel Abroad Programs (World Explorers, TEFL Certification, Teacher Assistant, Teen Homestay, Volunteer Abroad), and the Virtual Internship Program. These programs are facilitated through CHI's web portal (we.chinet.org) and are designed for diverse participants including high school students, university students, young professionals, host families, and U.S. businesses. The company serves as a J-1 visa sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State and maintains partnerships with overseas agencies in over 100 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic Year Program Cultural exchange program for international high school students to study in the U.S. for a semester or academic year while living with American host families.
• Au Pair Live-in childcare program connecting international au pairs (ages 18-26) with American host families for cultural exchange and childcare assistance.
• Au Pair Abroad Program allowing Americans to work as au pairs abroad, caring for children with host families in international destinations.
• CHI Camp Leaders Summer camp counselor exchange program placing international participants (ages 18+) as staff members at camps across the United States for up to 4 months.
• Group Homestay Short-term cultural exchange program (1-4 weeks) for junior high to university students to experience American life through homestays and cultural activities.
• Short Term Enrichment Program (STEP) Cultural immersion and volunteering program (1-3 months) where participants volunteer at U.S. non-profit organizations while living with American host families.
• Internship & Training Program J-1 visa program offering international university students and graduates practical training in American businesses for 12-18 months.
• Work & Travel USA Summer cultural exchange program allowing international university students to work seasonal jobs in the U.S. for 3-4 months while experiencing American culture.
• World Explorers Budget travel program where participants stay with international host families for 1-3 months in exchange for 15 hours per week of conversational English tutoring. Available in 20+ countries. Program fees start at $699.
• Virtual Internship Program Remote internship program allowing university students and graduates to gain international work experience with U.S. companies from anywhere in the world for 3-6 months.
• Teacher Assistant Program Volunteer program placing participants as English teaching assistants in schools in France or Italy during spring and fall semesters. France: 1-month $1,699, 2-months $1,799, 3-months $1,899. Italy: 1-month $1,499, 2-months $1,599, 3-months $1,699.
• Teen Homestay Travel program for teenagers (under 18) to live with host families abroad for 1-3 weeks with cultural excursions and activities.
• Volunteer Abroad Volunteering programs allowing participants to engage in community service while experiencing life abroad.
• High School Abroad Program for high school students (ages 15-17) to attend high school and live with host families in another country.
• Private High School Program Program placing international students in elite private high schools across the United States while living with American host families.
• TEFL Certification TEFL/TESOL certification program offered in partnership with International TEFL Academy, providing internationally accredited English teaching certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300,000 students from 130+ countries have participated in CHI programs since 1980
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United States Department of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1980CHI is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 visa sponsor, enabling the organization to sponsor exchange visitors for cultural exchange programs including Au Pair, Work & Travel, Internship & Training, and Camp Leaders.
• Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHI is a proud member of CSIET, which sets standards for international educational travel programs and provides certification for exchange organizations.
• World Youth Student Educational Travel Confederation (WYSE Travel Confederation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHI is a member of WYSE Travel Confederation and WYSE Work Abroad, international organizations dedicated to youth and student travel.
• International Au Pair Association (IAPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHI is a member of IAPA, the international association for au pair organizations that promotes quality standards for au pair programs worldwide.
• The Alliance for International Educational & Cultural ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHI is a member of The Alliance, a coalition of exchange organizations advocating for international educational and cultural exchange programs.
• Smaller EarthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSmaller Earth is mentioned as a partner who sent a video tribute for CHI's 40th birthday celebration.
• American Camp AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHI Camp Leaders partners with the American Camp Association through membership, serving over 500 camps across the U.S.
• U.S. Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHI is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating its standing as a legitimate business organization in the cultural exchange industry.
• Americans for Cultural ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHI is a member of Americans for Cultural Exchange, an organization advocating for cultural exchange programs and policies.
• ISA Japan / Mr. Masaru KurahashicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMr. Masaru Kurahashi, president of Tokyo-based ISA (International Student Advisors), was the first to bestow confidence in CHI. In Spring 1981, 200 Japanese ISA students participated in CHI's first Homestay program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Nacel Open Door: Nacel Open Door is a non-profit J-1 visa sponsor focused on high school student exchange programs. Direct peer in the academic year and short-term homestay segments that overlap with CHI's core offerings.
• InterExchange: InterExchange is a non-profit designated J-1 visa sponsor offering Work & Travel USA, Au Pair, and Career Training programs. It is a direct competitor to CHI in the J-1 sponsored exchange visitor space with a similar non-profit structure.
• Cultural Care Au Pair (EF Education First): Cultural Care Au Pair is the largest U.S. au pair agency, operated by EF Education First. It directly competes with CHI's Au Pair program and has significantly larger scale and marketing resources, including a digital matching platform.
• GoAuPair: GoAuPair is a U.S. au pair agency that directly competes with CHI's Au Pair program. It offers host families an alternative au pair placement service with a more technology-driven matching approach.
• ASSE International (American Scandinavian Student Exchange): ASSE is a non-profit J-1 visa sponsor offering high school exchange, Work & Travel, and other cultural programs. Comparable to CHI in mission, structure (non-profit), and product mix, particularly for academic year programs.
• AuPairCare: AuPairCare is one of the largest U.S. au pair agencies, owned by AIFS. It directly competes with CHI's Au Pair and Au Pair Abroad programs and serves the same host family demographic.
• AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study): AIFS is a leading cultural exchange provider offering study abroad, au pair (AuPairCare), and work-travel programs. Operates as both for-profit and non-profit entities, competing directly with CHI in au pair placement and student exchange.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is one of the largest U.S. non-profit cultural exchange organizations, designated as a J-1 visa sponsor. It offers study abroad, work exchange, and au pair programs directly comparable to CHI's portfolio, making it the closest direct peer in the exchange visitor program space.

Broad incumbents

• Experiment in International Living (EIL) / World Learning: World Learning operates the Experiment in International Living program, a non-profit cultural exchange organization. It is a broader incumbent with similar high school exchange programming and a longer institutional history, but with a more academic-focused approach.

Emerging players

• Smaller Earth: Smaller Earth is an emerging work abroad and cultural exchange operator with programs in multiple countries. Identified as a CHI partner in source materials, but also competes in the au pair and work-travel segments internationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CHI_News
• YouTubeyoutube.com/chinetorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CulturalHomestayInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cultural-homestay-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/culturalhomestayinternational

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cultural Homestay International