Harvard's Office of Career Services

Education: Harvard Overseas Schools Teaching (HOST) Program

Also take a look at our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Why HOST?

HOST (The Harvard Overseas Schools Teaching Program) was initiated over 13 years ago to better serve Harvard’s students and the overseas schools with whom we work. The goal of the program is to introduce these Harvard students—most of them graduating seniors in the arts and sciences—to the directors of international schools as potential interns, teaching assistants, or in some cases, regular members of their teaching staff.

Schools in HOST benefit from having enthusiastic and highly motivated young educators join their teaching staff for a year. Students in HOST benefit from an opportunity to explore the field of teaching while enjoying an international living experience within a moderately structured setting.

Who Participates in HOST?

HOST is open to graduating Harvard College seniors and those recent alumni who are able to interview in Cambridge. Some exceptions to the on-site requirement can be made; contact the Program directly with questions. Students from all academic disciplines are invited to apply, though specific openings in any given field will vary from year to year.

Almost all participants have had some experience as tutors and teaching assistants, but the basic requirement is a genuine interest in teaching and the desire to live successfully in an international environment.

What types of positions are available through HOST?

HOST offers teaching internships, interpreted very broadly. The spectrum runs from administrative and extracurricular duties, all the way to full teaching responsibilities. We attempt to have these positions described as carefully as possible by the listing schools.

Most schools offer room and board and/or a stipend that is, at a minimum, sufficient to cover expenses, though amounts vary widely by school and region.

HOST has recently had participating schools in Austria, Chile, China, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.


How Does HOST Work?

Schools send us listings that will be posted online through e-Recruiting at OCS. We will begin to post opportunities on a rolling basis following Thanksgiving recess. All jobs received by December 7, 2007 will be included in the first round. the student deadline for submitting an application for these first-round schools is December 14, 2007.

School listings that come into our office after the first round will be posted online and publicized by email to all HOST participants. Applications are due one week later.

When schools receive these applications they decide whom to interview and set up interview dates, usually in Cambridge, but occasionally elsewhere or by phone. Much of the interviewing takes place in February and March.

What Does HOST Cost?

HOST charges no fees to the student or the sponsoring school.


Interested in Participating?

Consider attending one of the HOST information meetings:

  • Monday, October 1, 2007, 4:00-5:00 pm, OCS Conference Room
  • Friday, November 2, 2007, 4:00-5:00 pm, OCS Conference Room
  • Monday, December 3, 2007, 4:00-5:00 pm, OCS Conference Room

View job listings on OCS Recruiting following Thanksgiving recess.

Upload an application* for each first-round school that interests you no later than Friday, December 14, 2007.

*An application consists of the following materials:

  • A cover letter, which explains your interest in and qualifications for teaching
  • A resume
  • A copy of your transcript (original is not needed)
  • A list of three recommenders who could be contacted by a school (include their name, how they know you, their phone number, and their email address).
For further information, please contact:

Lisa Unangst: lunangst@fas.harvard.edu
Office of Career Services, 54 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617/495-2595 Fax: 617/496-6880