Home Hosting

“A very rewarding aspect of my visit to the U.S. was becoming part of an American family.” Quotes like this are included in almost every post-visit evaluation completed by Russian entrepreneurs who participate in PEP. While the goal of PEP is to provide business training, the extraordinary value of home hosting touches American and Russian lives in ways that no other exchange program does.

Russian delegates cook their own cuisine for American hosts

By staying with American families, Russian delegates get a look at American life in a way no presentation or book can portray. Not only do they experience the life of ordinary Americans, they actually become adopted members of host families. Even with the inevitable challenges of differences in language, most Russians say home hosting is an indispensable part of the PEP experience.

Hosting a Russian is rewarding for American volunteers as well. Imagine how interesting it would be to bring an “ambassador” from another culture to stay for 2-3 weeks in your home. Sharing meals, stories and everyday experiences with someone from another country allows PEP volunteer home hosts to make a global connection without ever leaving home.

Russian entrepreneur makes music for his American home host

All that’s needed to host one of the Russian delegates is a spare room, an extra plate at the table and the desire to get to know a bit more about the world outside America’s borders.