A first-of-its-kind youth diplomacy initiative through the Iowa Sister States program is looking for Iowa families to host students from Kosovo.

Up to 10 host families are needed for the Kosovo/Iowa student exchange program in the 2015-2016 academic year, says Kim Heidemann, executive director of Iowa Sister States, a non-profit organization that manages international partner state relationships.

The host families must live within 120 miles of Des Moines, have a spare bedroom for the student and, if they reside on an acreage or farm, provide transportation to and from school and...