Host
an Exchange Student
in Oakland

Host an Exchange Student in Oakland

Create lasting friendships while earning extra income

Why become a HomestayMatch host in Oakland

Because we make your hosting experience easy.



Becoming a HomestayMatch host means you’ll be benefiting from our 20 years of experience and expertise. Since 1998, we’ve connected thousands of host families with international students, providing them with continuous local support by trained housing coordinators. We help you every step of the way because we understand the unique challenges of adjusting to a new culture. We also know from experience that becoming a host brings tremendous rewards: you will broaden your horizons, forge lifelong friendships and earn extra income at the same time.

How it works

If you are a warm and welcoming person, interested in a cross-cultural experience and have an extra furnished bedroom with a bed, desk, closet space and adequate lighting, you are all set to become a host.

Apply and Get Verified

After completing our easy 4-step application process, you will hear from one of our team members who will schedule a home visit. We will meet you, verify your location, and check your home’s condition.

Get Approved and Build an Awesome Profile

Once approved, you will create a personal profile to help prospective students learn more about you. Your personal profile is the first impression you make as a host, so make sure it’s a good one. Tell us about you and your space. Creating your profile is easy, but if you need help, don’t worry, we will guide you through it.

Connect and Match

You will receive booking requests from students that would like to stay with you. You can review the booking details such as the student’s name, country, age, duration of stay, etc., and then decide if you’d like to accept the student. All communication is done through our system, keeping your information private until you accept their booking request.

Meet, Experience and Learn

Once the booking process is finalized and your student settles in, payment will be on the way! All that is left is to enjoy each other’s company, experience the cultural exchange, and earn extra income. And before you know it, you will be an expert at hosting international students!

Our Top Hosts earn more

Find out

Join the HomestayMatch host community

12

HomestayMatch hosts in Oakland

17

Happy students have been matched from 15 nationalities

Thomas M.

Maxwell Park

Welcome to my homestay! I enjoy opening my home to students from all over the world and introducing international students to the American culture while learning a few things about their countries. I'm excited for this great learning experience!

Anna H.

Rockridge

Hello! Welcome to our home stay. We are excited to get to know students from abroad and share our culture and learn about yours. I studied abroad for a year in Japan and loved my time there! My partner lived in Germany and she too had an amazing experience. We have 2 children, 21 & 19, who are off in the world studying and working. We love to learn, travel, cook and play. Welcome!