Becoming a Host Family
We invite you to open your home and expand your world by becoming a GlobalPittsburgh host family to international students and visitors who will be coming to the Pittsburgh region for a short-term exchange. The students, researchers, young professionals, and emerging and current leaders whom we place with host families come from all over the world. The best way for them to gain a first-hand understanding of our culture is to visit or live with an American family. This unforgettable experience provides a lifetime of memories for both the student and members of the host family.
The description of a variety of programs arranged by GlobalPittsburgh, host family requirements, and general guidelines for homestay hosting are listed in this Host Family Guidebook.
Host Family Application Form
When you are ready to become a host family, please fill out our New Host Family form. After your form is received, a staff member will contact you to discuss further steps that include an in-home visit and orientation.
Want to get involved but not able to commit to a Homestay? Host a Dinner!
You can be involved in GlobalPittsburgh’s hospitality program by hosting dinners for international leaders. Hospitality dinners offer a unique opportunity to meet emerging leaders from around the world in a relaxed atmosphere – your own home. Visiting professionals are always grateful for the opportunity to experience American hospitality and see for themselves how Americans really live.
Dinner hosts are usually asked to host between two and four guests. Large delegations are regularly divided into smaller groups. If you do not speak the language of your guests, an interpreter assigned to the group by the State Department will be asked to join the dinner to help facilitate conversation. You are always welcome to invite friends or neighbors to also attend the dinner with your international guests.
The menu for a hosted dinner should include whatever your family would normally serve; the meal does not need to be fancy, catered, or something that the visitors would eat in their home countries. Visitors are usually very eager to try American foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, pasta, vegetarian dishes, etc. GlobalPittsburgh will inform hosts in advance if their visitors have dietary restrictions or feel uncomfortable around pets.
If you are interested in hosting dinners, please fill out our New Host Family Form. After your form is received, a staff member will contact you to discuss further steps.
