Overnight hosting

The U.S. Congress-authorized Open World Program at the Library of Congress brings emerging leaders from Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan to communities across the United States to expose them to American democracy and free enterprise inaction. Homestay hosts are asked to provide breakfast and dinner most days, and transportation to and from the World Affairs Council office each day. Groups are usually made up of 5 partipants, one of whom speaks English and serves as a facilitator. Sometimes two groups participate simultaneously for a total of 10 participants, including 2 facilitators.

Dinner hospitality

The International Visitor Leadership Program brings 4,000 participants to the United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand. These visitors do not require overnight hosting, but are often hoping to visit American homes while they are here. Hosting an International Visitor is one of the many benefits of membership in the World Affairs Council of Oregon.

For more information about Open World or the International Visitor Leadership Program, including dates and topics of upcoming groups, please check the International Visitors Program page.