Open World program hosting
Short-Term Professional Program Hosting
Build connections with professional program hosting
Annually, Global Ties KC welcomes 20–50 professional leaders to Kansas City, seeking homestay placements during their program to provide an enriching cultural immersion. The two primary programs are Open World and Community Connections.
In 1999, Congress authorized the creation of Open World as a Legislative Branch agency. Open World offers bipartisan support to members of Congress in creating cultural exchanges for Eurasian leaders to witness democracy building in action. This is best shown by the emphasis on homestays, where local citizens welcome these visitors into their home for typically 7–9 days.
Community Connections Belarus participants establish professional connections, learn about the advantages and disadvantages of a democratic, free-market economy, and examine practices and experiences that may be adapted back home to address local challenges. This 3 week program fully immerses participants in site visits, hands-on workshops, and host family cultural interactions.
How it Works
How professional program hosting works
Professional programs provide opportunities for leaders to meet their U.S. counterparts through 9am-5pm weekday activities, facilitated by Global Ties KC. This leaves family time open on evenings and weekends. What you do with the open family time is up to you. Whether you choose to cook dinner together, visit your neighbors, or take a walk in the park – we hope you show them your American life.
We ask that hosts provide their guest their own room with a bed bed, breakfast, dinner, and lunch on weekends.
Steps to Become a Host:
1. Fill out the interest form, then Global Ties KC will follow-up via email.
2. Household members over 18 fill out a background check form.
3. A Global Ties KC staff member visit you at your home for an in-person meet-and-greet.
4. Hosts attend orientation session and complete a host family profile for Global Ties KC to send to your visitors.
5. Once everything is complete and acceptance has been issued, you receive program & visitor information closer to the start date!
All Programs
About our Open World Program
Frequently Asked Questions
What are you doing during weekday hours?
Global Ties KC creates an individualized agenda for each program to provide insight into participant professional best practices, based on program content objectives. Through meetings and site visits, participants are obtaining knowledge on how to better serve their communities back home.
Are hosts responsible for medical emergencies?
A Global Ties KC staff member will be on call 24/7 during program. All exchange participants have medical insurance during the program. Hosts are not responsible for co-pay costs. Any non-emergency medical issues will be handled by Global Ties KC, typically during work hours. For evening/weekend emergencies, we will be your first point of contact and work with you to ensure appropriate care.
What are hosts supposed to do with visitors when they aren’t with Global Ties KC?
Whatever you would like! A critical part of this program is that the participants get to immerse themselves in everyday American life. Whether you are a family on the go and take them with you, or you’re a family that stays in for movie nights – we hope visitors walk away feeling like a member of your household. There is no pressure to go above and beyond to keep them entertained 24/7; oftentimes, they appreciate some relaxing after a long program day.
How many visitors can I host?
Each family can take up to two visitors in their household. It has been noted that oftentimes (when possible) hosts have a more impactful and easier host experience when they host two visitors together. It helps everyone feel more comfortable quicker. We recognize that it isn’t an option for everyone though, since it requires two separate beds.