Homestay Opportunity: Youth Leadership in Digital Literacy

Educating and Inspiring with Digital Technologies

This November, 21 youth leaders aged 15 - 18 from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru and three adult mentors (25+) will visit Seattle for a program focusing on digital literacy and the use of social media to address community issues.  We are looking for 24 host families to welcome these leaders for a 13-night stay from November 4 - 17, 2023.

The On-Demand Youth Leadership Program (ODYLP): Digital Literacy is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered by Legacy International.

The ODYLP Digital Literacy program will empower participating youth to...

• become strong leaders who can make a difference in their countries
• use leadership skills to identify and seek solutions to pressing global and community issues
• learn how digital technologies and social media can help educate and inspire others
• design and deliver community-based projects
• meet with American peers and professionals who use digital tools to promote citizen engagement in positive ways

Homestays are a crucial component of this program that enrich the intercultural experience by allowing these leaders to become more deeply immersed in our local culture. They are also a unique opportunity for host families to learn from and form a long-lasting friendship with an individual from a different country without even leaving Seattle!

After their time in Seattle, the youth leaders travel to Washington D.C. where they will discover ideas empowering American communities to be responsible media producers and consumers, then return to their countries to complete their own community-based project to help their peers address an issue in their community.

Apply to Become a Host Family!

Interested in welcoming a youth leader or one of the adult mentors to Seattle? Fill out our interest form on our website here and a staff member will follow up with the complete application and additional details.

Homestay FAQs:

• This is a volunteer opportunity.
• Hosts are asked to treat participants as part of the family.
• Hosts can be individuals as well as families with or without children.
• Hosts should live near a bus line that requires one hour or less of commuting time to the World Affairs Council office or be willing to drive their participants.
• A private room with an individual bed and most meals are required.
• Approved host families must complete all application requirements: online application, background checks for all adults in the household, home visit, two personal references, and verification of being fully vaccinated for Covid-19 according to CDC guidelines.
• All participants are provided with accident and sickness health insurance during their time in the United States.
  All participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including exchange participants and all household members who are eligible to receive a vaccine.

What the World Affairs Council Provides:

• Exceptional participants who have been through a rigorous application or nomination process and have demonstrated a commitment to cross-cultural engagement.
• A detailed schedule for the daily program.
• Arrival and departure airport transportation to and from a central location.
• A program-specific host family orientation and hosting manual.
• Public transportation passes, cell phones as necessary, and lunch on most programming days.
• 24-hour staff support, including a bilingual staff person when necessary.