Students from across the world are coming to the U-S and looking to find temporary homes while they attend area schools. Sue Hunt, is the local coordinator for IRIS (Iowa Resource for International Service) an Ames based non-profit, is seeking host homes across Iowa for 2017-2018 foreign exchange students. IRIS brings students to the State from 40 different countries and place them all over the U-S, with at least 30 students living in Iowa. That’s accomplished through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study – or ‘YES’ – program.

All students are between 15 and 18 years old, but will technically be high school juniors. The students, which typically hail from Southeast Asian, Middle-Eastern and African countries. The IRIS program in Iowa, began in 1993. It differs from other Foreign Exchange student-type programs, in that the student doesn’t need to come from a financially sufficient family in order to participate.

(These students win a spot to come here based on their level of academics in their home countries, as well as their civic mindedness and reputation, along with their ability to adapt to new surroundings and cultures.)

They are given a stipend by the YES program each month, but in return the student must maintain very high grades and perform community service in their host communities, while at the same time reporting on the volunteer jobs they hold each month. The stipend covers their clothing allowance, personal supplies, etc.

Persons interested in hosting a foreign student don’t have a lot of restrictions on their ability to do so.

(You must pass a criminal background check, provide a bed and place to study, three square meals a day, and you must include the student in your family activities as well as pay their way.)

Hunt and her family have hosted two families from Tanzania. The YES program is funded by the U.S. State Department as a form of diplomacy. For bios on particular students, or for more information on hosting in general, visit http://www.iris-center.org/yes-program/17-18students/