A: For a better chance to be placed with a host family please submit your application within 20 days of you homestay.
A: We promise to make every effort to find you the best available host family, however, we cannot guarantee to place you with a host family that meets all your requirements, nor do we guarantee that we will find you a host family to accept you.
A: All our host families live in the safe neighborhoods. We visit each host family when recruiting them, interview family members and get to know them before placing visitors.
Q: Will my host family have pets?
A: Many families in the U.S. have pets, such as cats and/or dogs. For these families, it’s important that their pets are treated as family members. If you are uncomfortable with pets for any reason, we will try to ensure that you are connected with a host family that has no pets.
Q: How long can I stay with my host family?
A: Generally, we arrange homestays with local families for up to 6 months. However, if both you and your host family would like to continue the homestay, this can be extended.
Q: Will I be able to eat meals with my host family? Will they provide my meals?
A: Host families may or may not cook regularly. We have different rates for a homestay with and without meals. In case your host family does not cook and you agree to provide your own meals, you are responsible for buying your own groceries and personal care products. Your host family will be willing to take you to the grocery store with them when they go food shopping. If you wish to share meals with the family we can place you with the family that cooks regularly.
Q: Will my host family pick me up from the airport?
A: We recommend that you do not expect your host family to pick you up from the airport. While some families will have the availability to do so and an additional fee might be charged. Most of our hosts work during the day and it is not convenient for them to drive to the airport and back. There are other easy ways of getting from the airport to your host family's house, such as Uber, Lyft, or a taxi.
Q: My flight to Pittsburgh arrives late at night, will I be able to meet my host family that day?
A: If you arrive in Pittsburgh later than 9:00 p.m., please prepare to stay your first night at the hotel near the airport. Most host family members work or have young children. A late arrival could potentially be disruptive to their routine. We will work with you and the host family to work out an appropriate arrival time.
Q: Will my host family drive me around the city?
A: We recommend that you do not expect your host family to drive you daily. Pittsburgh is called a city of neighborhoods. While the major businesses and colleges are located in the city, many people live outside of the city. Most host families live close to bus lines, which are an easy way for you to travel across Pittsburgh. Your host family will show you the closest bus stop and will help you use the bus schedule. In general, you should expect that a one-way bus ride to your college/internship may take up to 1 hour with the bus fare being $2.75 one way. Some universities also provide bus passes to their students. Please visit www.rideprt.org for more information on this.
Q: Will my host family provide me with Wi-Fi?
A: Yes! All our host families have wireless internet in their homes. You may also get Wi-Fi access at your university, public library, and at almost every coffee shop.
Q: What if I break something at my host family’s house?
A: In case of any major damage to the host family’s house or other property that you intentionally or accidentally may cause, please be ready to take full or partial financial responsibility.
Q: What if I have a problem with my host family? Can someone help me?
A: Yes! If you have any questions, concerns or problems while staying with your host family that you cannot discuss directly with them, please contact Nadya Kessler at
nkessler@globalpittsburgh.org or at +1-508-635-7627 on WhatsApp.
FEES AND PAYMENTS
Q: Will I have to pay more for my homestay if my host family lives closer to the university?
A: Fees and payments associated with the homestays are the same for everybody regardless of age, occupation, income, etc. Compensation is also the same regardless of the location of the house you will be living in.
Q: What type of payments do you accept?
A: All fees and homestay compensations will be paid to GlobalPittsburgh upon receiving an electronic invoice. We accept online payments made with credit or debit cards, via PayPal or bank wire transfers.
Q: Do you require a deposit? Is this deposit refundable?
A: We require a 50% deposit of the homestay placement fee when the application is submitted. You will receive an electronic invoice for the deposit. We will not be able to process your application and start securing a host family until the deposit is paid. The rest of the deposit is to be paid immediately after the host family is secured, you have connected with them by email, and confirmed that you would like to stay with this host. The deposit will only be refunded if we are not able to find a host family for you.
Q: When am I required to pay for my homestay?
A: Compensation for a homestay is to be paid one week before the student arrives at their host family's home and at the beginning of each consecutive month of the homestay. You will receive an electronic invoice 7 days prior to the start of your month (not calendar month). For example, if you arrive in Pittsburgh on June 17, you will receive an invoice on June 10 for your first month, July 10 for your second month, and so on.
Q: How much does a homestay cost?
A: Fees and compensation rates for homestays starting on and after January 1, 2023, are as follows:
Placement fee (includes membership for 1 year) if applied 30 or more days in advance - $225
Placement fee (includes membership for 1 year) if applied less than 30 days in advance - $270
Compensation for 1 full month without meals - $630. If you are staying for less than 30 days, your compensation will be prorated to the actual number of days you will stay at your host's home and calculated at $23/day.
Compensation for 1 month with breakfast and dinner - $860. If you are staying for less than 30 days, your compensation will be prorated to the actual number of days you will stay at your host's home and calculated at $30/day.
Compensation for 1 month with breakfast and dinner and a packed lunch - $970. If you are staying for less than 30 days, your compensation will be prorated to the actual number of days you will stay at your host's home and calculated at $35/day.
HOMESTAY APPLICATION PROCESSAfter reviewing the terms of the program above please fill in the application form below.
Once we receive your form, we will send you a confirmation and may ask you some questions if anything needs to be clarified.
You will receive an invoice for 50% of the homestay placement fee. Once the payment is received, we will start the matching process. Based on your preferences, we will seek the best available host family for you.
Within the next 10-14 days, we will offer you one or more host families that are available and connect you with them via email so that you may exchange messages and introduce yourself. You will have 2-3 days to make a decision about whether you would like to stay with them.
If you decide to stay with the host family we find for you, you will receive the invoice for the second part of your homestay placement fee.
After you book your flight and confirm the dates of your homestay (or at least the day of your arrival), we will send you the payment schedule. We require monthly homestay payments starting 7 days prior to your arrival and then every consecutive month. The monthly compensation depends on whether you choose a homestay with meals or without
If you need assistance with estimating your homestay payment, please do not hesitate to contact Nadya Kessler at
nkessler@globalpittsburgh.org or at +1-508-635-7627 on WhatsApp. 