How to travel on a budget with the World Explorers Program
Travel Abroad with peace of mind
World Explorers runs year-round, and is very popular during the summer months. We ask that you apply at least three months in advance in order to arrange your ideal placement with a host family. We recommend that you apply even earlier to secure your placement for summer programs. Last-minute placements may be possible in countries where we have immediate openings.
Program Timeline
Share your travel plans and interests to help us locate your ideal host family.
Interview with a World Explorers customer care specialist.
Pay your commitment fee.
We work with our overseas partners to choose your ideal host family.
Contact the host family and set up a virtual meet-and-greet.
Once you successfully communicate with your host family, we will make your placement official.
You will receive travel tips and tutoring materials to review.
You purchase flight tickets and travel insurance.
Pay the balance of your program fee at least two weeks before your departure.
CHI offers an orientation session to prepare you for your trip.
Your life-changing experience begins!
Receive support from CHI and our overseas partner for your entire stay.
Share your experience with us.
Become a World Explorer again and receive discounts and contest opportunities.
The Application Process
- Register and complete the Discovery portion of the World Explorers online application at we.chinet.org
- A CHI staff member will contact you to arrange an interview
- After your interview, you will then complete the Finding Your Hosts portion of the online application which includes a questionnaire about your personal information and interests, your dietary needs and your medical history
- One introductory letter about yourself addressed to your potential host family
- Two letters of recommendation from employers, teachers or family friends
- Four photos that express a bit of your personality. Aim to upload one headshot, one photo of yourself doing something you like to do, and two photos with your friends or family
FINDING YOUR HOSTS
In order to find the right host family for you, it is important that you share as much information about yourself as possible. Imagine things from their perspective. If you were looking to invite someone into your own home, what would you like to know about them? Try to present a well-rounded image of yourself so that they can get to know the real you!
- Take the time to write a clear letter directed to potential host families describing yourself and what you are looking for in a host family (sample)
- Submit two letters of recommendation from someone that can verify that you are a good fit for our program. This may be from a former teacher, an employer, a family friend or relative (sample)
- Once you have been accepted into the program, you will be asked to make a commitment payment of $399 to show you are serious about the program. This money is refundable if we cannot place you in time. Otherwise, this deposit goes towards your total program fee.
- Your application will be sent to our overseas partners in your desired destination
- The matching process is based upon the availability of your desired location and dates requested, as well as your hobbies, interests and goals
- The host family’s information will then be presented to you so that we can determine that you are a good match
- Be 100% honest so that we can be sure to provide for you the best possible program and host family match
PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP
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Frequently Asked Questions
We want to make sure you can get the best deal possible on your airfare, so we are happy to offer travel advice. We ask our
participants to wait to purchase their flights until the placement with their host family is confirmed. We recommend searching the following sites for flight deals:
If you are a student or if you are under 26-years-old, you can also check the following sites:
Your safety is important to us. Our travelers must have medical insurance coverage during their time abroad. CHI can enroll you in an international plan with our affiliate provider, United Health Network. Their extensive international plan offers coverage benefits up to $100,000 (with a $100 deductible) and costs less than $2/day!
CHI is a non-profit organization so we keep our prices as affordable as possible. Your total program fee covers administrative costs for both CHI and our partner organization in the hosting country. Both organizations work on your behalf to provide you and your host family with a rewarding experience. The necessary work includes a diligent application process, interviews, and orientations which ensure a safe and exciting cultural experience tailored to your and the host family’s specific needs. In addition, both organizations provide you with the staff, here and abroad, to support you for the entire length of your stay.
This extensive placement process coupled with free room and board and only 15 hours of tutoring per week makes for a fantastic overall value. You also receive support before, during and after your trip. A 24-hour in-country support system is included throughout your stay.
Remember, the longer your stay, the better the value. Even economical foreign travel can easily cost over $100 per day plus airfare and insurance. This makes traveling with World Explorers up to six times cheaper than the hotels, hostels, and restaurant meals of the standard vacation experience.
No. Our host families volunteer to open their homes to welcome you as an active member of their family. They are eager to learn your language and to teach you some of theirs. In exchange for your 15 hours of English lessons per week, the host family will give you a room in their home and three meals per day. Remember, it’s always nice to keep your room organized and to clean up after yourself. Don’t be afraid to offer to do some light chores such as doing the dishes or taking out the garbage. You may even offer to cook them your favorite dish as a nice gesture and to share part of your culture. You are not staying in a hotel, so make sure you do your fair share around the house!
World Explorers runs all year long. You may choose your departure and return date based on a one, two or three-month stay. You can also combine multiple programs to create a longer travel plan. Check the destinations we have available.
CHI asks that you submit your World Explorers application three months before your desired departure date. If you are interested in a summer program we recommend that you send in your application as soon as possible. At times, placements can be made upon shorter notice. Contact us directly for immediate openings. See all the possible destinations.
A second language is not required for this program, though it can be helpful. Most host families will be able to speak some English. We also have a partner in each country that will be available if you have trouble communicating with your host family.
We have partners all over the world, allowing us to accommodate most first choice requests. We ask you to list the top three countries you would like to visit on your online application. If we cannot find you a host family in your first choice destination, we will try to find you a host family in your second or third choice destinations.
While you can specify which city you would like to live in, we cannot guarantee you will be placed there. We ask that you are flexible with the location of your placement. We are not a travel agency and provide a service and opportunity that does not allow for complete control over the final destination, but that is part of what changes lives and helps participants grow. We want you to embrace your host family and the local surroundings, no matter where you end up! We will do our best to match you with the most suitable family we have available at the time you choose to travel. Please be open minded. Placements are often outside of major cities.
Participants do not need teaching experience. As a World Explorer, you will be required to help your host family with their conversational English for a maximum of 15 hours per week. As part of our program fee, we provide each World Explorer with excellent materials should you need more ideas for conversation topics. The goal for your family is to feel comfortable communicating in English. This is not about teaching them reading, writing, and grammar. To the host family, this program is about improving their speaking skills through fun and meaningful conversations with you.
World Explorers is designed to allow you to really have a chance to experience your chosen country. We suggest that you outline all the places you would like to visit during your stay. Do your best to get out often to meet the local people and experience the local culture. This program is truly a cultural exchange opportunity. We encourage you to take advantage of that free time. As we mentioned, some countries welcome further instruction or tutoring outside of your host family. Our overseas partners are always happy to recommend different activities for you to fill your days when you are not tutoring English. Past travelers have had the opportunity to help out in a local school, lend a hand in our partner’s office and even lead an English conversation group for university students. What you do in your free time is determined by how ambitious you are and how proactive you are at getting involved in the local community. As a World Explorer, we urge you to explore new places, exchange your language and culture and experience life abroad as a local.
If your behavior is deemed unacceptable by your host family, they have the right to ask you to leave. Depending on the circumstances, the partner agency may be able to find another host family for you. Otherwise, you may have to end your program without a refund if you are unable to abide by the program rules.
Yes and no. Once you’ve been placed and your host family has approved your requested arrival and departure dates, you must stick to the agreed-upon time frame. If you want to extend your dates, and you are still able to continue your stay or travel without exceeding the immigration laws of the host country, we can attempt to arrange a second World Explorers experience for you with a different host family with enough advance notice. If immigration laws allow, you may stay in the country after arranging your own accommodations separate from the host family experience. Many participants choose to travel on their own once their program ends.
The Buddy Program is offered to friends who apply to World Explorers and plan on departing within the same calendar month. We will do our best to place you and your buddy in the same city so that you can do things together in your free time. Please note that this does not mean you will live with the same host family, nor will you be able to spend every moment of your program together. You do not have to go to the same country as your buddy. You must indicate the name of your buddy on the application. Once all program fees have been paid, you will each be given a $100.00 refund.