Pacific Intercultural Exchange (PIE), a nonprofit agency, is currently searching for volunteer host families in the Shakopee/Prior Lake area for our high school foreign exchange students arriving in August.

Students arrive in late August and stay through June while they attend the local public high school where the host family resides (Shakopee or Prior Lake High Schools).  Our students come from many countries including Belgium, Germany, Norway, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela....  They are all  15-18 years old, they speak English, have medical insurance, and their own spending money.

Host families provide a room, meals, and a caring environment for their student.  Students are incorporated into the host family by participating in family activities, doing chores, and celebrating holidays today.  Students may share a room with a host sibling of the same sex.   Host families come from many backgrounds including families with teens and young children, emptynesters, retired couples, and same sex couples - all are encouraged to apply.  All host families are screened with in-home interviews, criminal background checks, and references must be provided.

Local area representatives provide support for the students including completing the in-home screening & monthly check-in.  PIE provides group orientations and enhancement activities, and there is always a large group of students in the Twin Cities metro area.  

PIE is fully accredited by CSIET and abides by US State Department regulations.

For more information about opening your home for a life changing experience with a foreign exchange student, please contact Mary Armstrong at 952-236-0745 / website: www.pieusa.org / email: maryarmstrong@pieusa.org