HomeStay Program

Duke International House is now offering a short-term homestay program for incoming international graduate students, i.e. for your first 1-5 days in Durham.  International students who apply, meet the requirements and are chosen to participate will be assigned to a local Durham volunteer host.  

Volunteers are unpaid community members who have offered to assist internationals during their first days in Durham.   Most are able to provide transportation from the airport to their home where you may stay for up to five nights. 

Volunteer hosts may be single adults, working or retired couples, or families with or without children.  Volunteers reflect Durham’s diverse culture and have a variety of economic, educational and ethnic backgrounds.  Hosts live within Durham but may or may not live within walking distance of Duke University.  Bus and other transportation options will be shared with you. 

A host family may or may not be able to provide you with transportation during your stay in their home.  They also are not required to provide your meals. However, you will be made aware of the transportation and dining options available to you (bus schedules, nearby restaurants, etc.). 


At this time, homestays are only available for 1-5 nights before fall orientation (Thursday, August 13th) for international graduate students arriving in the US for the first time. 

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Paige Vinson

If you are an international graduate student and would like to apply, please fill out a HomeStay Request.