Host Family Qualifications
• Anyone who is willing to offer friendship and enjoys sharing ideas and cultures.
• A married couple or single person, young or old, with or without children

Required Sleeping Accommodations
• A separate bedroom is required for an adult.
• A bedroom may be shared for younger students, if there are separate beds.

Financial Obligations of a Host Family
• The host family should provide “room and board”, that is, a place to sleep and meals.
• Any further expenditures are the choice of the hosts.

Suggestions for Host Families
• Meet and greet your international guest at the arrival point. A committee member will also be there to introduce you to your guest.
• Enjoy comparing and contrasting your customs and cultures. It would be helpful for your family to know some basic facts about your guest’s country, if it is known in advance.
• Be yourself and continue with normal family activities. Special appointments and tours are sometimes scheduled. If the host family is unable to take the guest to the appointment, a committee member will provide transportation.
• When taking your guest to the departure point, allow adequate time for goodbyes and picture taking.


IVLP guests from South Africa had a great time with their host family.


An IVLP South African group participated in the Fiesta Day Parade in Sterling and Rock Falls.


A delicious Soup and Sandwich Luncheon was enjoyed by the supporters of the RRVIF annual fundraiser.

"The appointments were very helpful. Going to the farms and the grains company was an amazing experience. It gave me the opportunity to see how the agricultural experience has a place in the U.S., from the farms to the consumers.”


Making lemonade for the luncheon.

“The Home of Hope appointment was important because they are doing very good work. In South Africa the issue of looking after cancer survivors or having such a home for them is still not considered.”