The Saint Paul Intercultural Institute began in 1995. The goals of the program are to provide an academic/homestay program for university students from Japan and China, and to offer American hosts the opportunity to open their homes and serve as models of American society and culture, and as mentors of American English. The key to what makes the program successful is that students do not live on campus in the dormitories. Each student lives in a home, with an American Host. This makes learning personal as relationships are formed. Both student and host benefit and grow through this experience.The program introduces students to life in the U.S. Learning includes advanced English instruction at Bethel University from experienced ESL teachers plus studies in American culture. Outside the class, the students are involved in field experiences in the Twin Cities and in other parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin.