A Request for Host Families From the International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW)
The International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW) is currently looking for short-term host families for young professionals (25 – 40) involved in the Professional Fellows Program for Europe and Eurasia in the Fall of 2025..
This program is administered by the American Councils of International Education and funded by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Here are three links with more information about the International Institute of Wisconsin and the Professional Fellows Program.
https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/professional-fellows-program
https://www.professionalfellows.americancouncils.org/
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States.
PFP participants are placed in intensive 5-6 week fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience. They build a broad network with American and other program participant colleagues as they develop a deeper understanding of U.S. society. The PFP is a two-way exchange, with American participants who have hosted foreign fellows traveling overseas for participant-driven reciprocal programs
Visiting Fellows begin their program in Washington, D.C., and over the course of approximately three weeks visit three to four different host sites in the United States to gain a better understanding of the U.S. and their professional field in this country. As a host site, the IIW schedules meetings and tours with different experts and organizations in various fields throughout Wisconsin. Examples of program topics that Wisconsin has participated in include state government, agriculture, water resources, and biotechnology.
An equally important component of this program is local cultural events, including home hospitality visits, which gives both visitors and local citizens the chance to gain mutual understanding and appreciation. The International Institute of Wisconsin works with local volunteers and organizations to help the visiting Fellows experience another side of Wisconsin.
About Host Families
Host families are an important part of the PFP experience and provide Fellows with valuable cultural immersion during their time in the U.S. Host families reflect the greatness of the United States and serve as cultural ambassadors for the Fellows, offering them a glimpse of “regular” American life. Host families can be families with or without children, adult roommates, or single adult individuals.
The majority of PFP Fellows are housed in U.S. host families for the duration of their four-week fellowship. Others will stay with a host family for a shorter period of time (several days to a couple of weeks) and reside in university housing or an extended stay hotel for the remainder of their fellowship experience.
Host families provide Fellows with their own bed, private room, adequate space to put their things, and meals and/or access to groceries and kitchen amenities. Host families are volunteers and do not receive compensation for hosting a Fellow.
Fellows receive a modest stipend for lunches during working hours and an allowance for public transportation provided by the U.S. Department of State.
Host Family Requirements
Able to provide Fellows with their own private room and adequate space to put their things
Able to provide two meals a day).
Interest in intercultural exchange.
Accessibility to public transportation, proximity to work placement, or another option for transportation to work.
For more information or to learn how you can be involved in this program as a host family, professional contact, or volunteer in another capacity, click on the following link or contact: Jessica Emanuel at
https://iiwisconsin.org/contact/
Jessica Emanuel – International Institute of Wisconsin
1110 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive – Suite 420
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414.225.6220 (phone)
jemanuel@iiwisconsin.org (email)
www.iiwisconsin.org (website)
