Frequently Asked Questions About Hosting

Do you have to be a family to host? Can a single man or woman host?

USA Homestays accepts all kinds of hosts who are willing to provide a warm, welcoming home for international students. While most of our hosts are families, several are single.

Do host families have to provide food?

Host families are responsible to provide food to share with the student. We don’t define a set number of meals that families provide; instead, we encourage families to buy enough groceries to share with the student. Families don’t need to prepare meals for the student, but they do need to make sure that food is available.

What is expected from the host family?.

The family must provide a clean, private bedroom with access to a bathroom. We strongly encourage families to have meals together with students as frequently as possible. It's also understood that the family will be home frequently so they can engage the student.

How close to the university do families have to live?

USA Homestays is able to place students almost anywhere in a local metro area. Most students want to be closer to the university, but some are willing to live farther away and drive to the university. We accept all applicants, and we can advise you about your location during the initial host family interview.

When do students move in with a host family?

Most students are looking for a host family to start before fall semester, and they usually move sometime in August. However, students request homestays on an ongoing basis throughout the year, so we place students at any time. Some students request a host family while they are still in their home country before they arrive in the US, but many request a host family after they have already been here for some time.

Does USA Homestays pay host families? How much?

Yes, host families are paid a stipend to cover the costs involved with hosting. The amount of the stipend varies by city. USAH sends host families a 1099 each year for tax purposes.

How do students get from the family’s house to their university?

Some students have cars, but most students rely on public transportation. It is never the host family’s responsibility to provide transportation.

Where are the students from?

The students USA Homestays works with are from all over the world. The majority of our students come from Saudi Arabia and China.

How does USA Homestays respond to problems in a homestay?

Each city where USA Homestays operates has a local homestay director. The director is involved through the duration of the homestay to help with any questions and address any issues. We follow a three step process when dealing with problems that first seeks to solve the problem and ultimately, if there is no resolution, removes the student from the home. Some issues, like drug use or sexual activity in the home, result in immediate removal from the homestay.

How long is the hosting commitment?

For nearly all homestays, the initial commitment is three months. After that, the agreement continues on a month-to-month basis. There are occasionally some opportunities to host for just one month, but that is less common.

What kind of training does USA Homestays provide?

USA Homestays provides a handbook that address an assortment of practical and cultural guidelines. In addition, the local Homestay Director actively communicates with the family from before a student moves in all the way to the end of the homestay. This is a partnership, so training is ongoing. Part of the adventure of a homestay, however, is developing the relationship with the student, exploring his culture and “doing life” together.