The World At Your Table – An Evening of Home Hospitality

"The home hospitality program has allowed my family to meet people from around the world and share not only American culture but also learn about our guests' respective home cultures." - Home Host

Home host volunteers provide international leaders from around the world with unique opportunities to visit a U.S. home for a meal and conversation.

"The home hospitality program has allowed my family to meet people from around the world and share not only U.S. culture but also learn about our guests' respective home cultures." - Home Host

Meridian is recruiting volunteers who want to experience the joy of international exchange by hosting International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participants. IVLP is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program through which 5,000 leaders of various fields meet with U.S. counterparts annually. IVLP participants are nominated and selected by staff at U.S. Embassies around the world.

Home hospitality a vital part of the international leaders’ programs by forging connections and lifelong friendships between people around the world. Read about home host experiences here and here!

Sign up for an upcoming 30-minute zoom informational session about becoming a home host:

• February 16th at 12PM ET 
• February 28th at 5:30PM ET
• March 13th at 12PM ET
• March 28th at 5:30PM ET
• April 4th at 12PM ET
• April 23rd at 5:30PM ET 
• May 21st at 12PM ET

Participant Testimonials

"I felt very welcome, and the host gave me a glimpse of their lives. I met people who were not only extremely friendly but also very interested in my lifestyle and background. I had such an amazing time that one evening was simply too short and time flew by. Hopefully I will see them in the future again, so we can continue where we left off. Thank you so much for this opportunity, it really was an amazing addition to the IVLP program!”

"They were really curious about the country we are from, about people, social and public health situation and especially history. It was a delightful experience for us and, I want to believe, for the host and her lovely friends...I would definitely encourage the home dinner part of the program, because it is a unique experience about the life of people in United States."

FAQ

Can I be a home host?

Yes! If your household is eager to welcome and engage with international participants, then you are a great fit to apply to join our network.  America’s diversity is a tremendous asset to the IVLP, and we value including all kinds of families and communities in our program. Home hosts include families with or without children, LGBTQIA+ and multi-generational families, persons with disabilities, and groups of roommates, just to name a few. Home hosts can also welcome participants in homes, condos, apartments, and shared community spaces.

How do I become a home host volunteer?

To learn more about becoming a home hospitality volunteer, please fill out this form (Home Host Volunteer Application (formsite.com). A member of the Meridian Collaborative Services team will be in touch.

What is the time commitment for being a Home Hospitality volunteer?

Hosting a group usually takes 2-3 hours of a weekday evening or weekend. While there is no minimum number of hosting commitments required to become a host, we encourage our network to host 1-2 times per year to have regular engagement with our IVLP participants and program.  By becoming a part of our network, you will have the opportunity to learn about the variety of groups coming to the DC area!

How do you match groups to hosts?

We strive to match participants to home hosts in a manner that benefits both parties. We like to set up matches that consider interest areas, professional backgrounds, and even personal connections to different countries. For example, we have home hosts fluent in different languages, others who have cultural heritage connected to a specific country, and others who have a wide variety of interests and passions from politics to visual arts to sports. No matter your background, interests, or work, we will work to set you up with the best matches.

How do home hosts learn about specific hosting opportunities?

Assignments are often made based on host availability. In an email request sent to our home hospitality volunteer base, we share general information about the group’s topical area of focus to help determine if you may connect with the group on shared interest areas! You are always welcome and encouraged to invite other guests, such as friends and family, to join the activity or meal. An interpreter will be assigned to accompany the participants should this be required by varying language abilities.

What kind of a meal should I serve?

This should be a casual experience and the meal served does not need to be elaborate. Dietary restrictions, smoking, and pet concerns will be clearly stated in advance. Additionally, if you prefer not to host a meal but rather invite participants over for coffee or a neighborhood activity, we’d love to hear your ideas.

How long should the meal be?

The appropriate length of time for home hospitality is completely at the host’s discretion, but you should plan for about two hours. Depending on how the conversation goes, the time may be more or less. The host should always feel comfortable setting a limit and politely giving notice when it’s time to wrap things up.

What about transportation?

Participant transportation is provided by the program and coordinated by our team.

What happens afterward?

We encourage you to follow up with Alyson Woolley, awoolley@meridian.org, our Collaborative Services Coordinator. Speak freely about your experience and give us any thoughts or suggestions to enhance future home hospitalities. If you know of anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer, please have them contact Alyson at awoolley@meridian.org.