The Saint Paul Intercultural Institute (SPII) began in 1995, and since that time, more than 2200 students and host families have participated in the program.
 
SPII partners with local churches and Bethel University to create meaningful connections between Japanese university students and American hosts during this three-week program. The program’s purpose is twofold: to provide an academic and homestay experience for students from Japan, and to offer American hosts the opportunity to open their homes—serving as models of American life and mentors in English language learning.
 
While many of our host families are motivated by their faith, this is not a requirement to participate. We welcome all families who wish to share friendship, hospitality, and cross-cultural understanding. For hosts, this experience becomes a natural and authentic way to express their values and demonstrate love and care through everyday life.
 
A key factor in SPII’s success is that students do not live on campus in dormitories. Instead, each student lives with an American host family. This makes learning deeply personal, as relationships are formed and both students and hosts grow through the experience.
 
Students take advanced English classes at Bethel University and explore American life and culture through field experiences across the Twin Cities area.