FAQs for Hosts
Short-term visits can lead to long-term friendships and goodwill for our citizens and our city
Interested in hosting an international visitor? Thank you!
TGA typically welcomes more than 300 international visitors each year ... and for each visitor, we do our best to make them feel at home. And what better way to make friends and cultivate life-long friendships than to be a host!
Visitors typically include working professionals, government officials, artists, academics, entrepreneurs, journalists, and administrators. The programs in which they participate reflect their interests and include themes related to government, the media, environmental protection, women’s leadership, education, public health, the arts, agriculture, and economy and trade. As a host, you'll share the American way of life, while learning about other cultures from around the world.
Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions regarding hosting, along with a helpful video. For additional questions, contact Bob Lieser, Vice President of Programs, at blieser@tulsaglobalalliance.org.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a home stay host and a home hospitality host?
How do I become a home stay or home hospitality host?
What specifically is involved with being a home hospitality host?
-
Exchange ideas on cultures, customs, current events, and other topics of interest
-
Provide a modest, typical evening meal for your guests. The meal can take any format you choose (potluck, buffet, sit-down)--and during cool weather, cookouts are always fun for visitors!
-
Invite friends, family, or others who might be interested in meeting important and interesting visitors from around the world!
What is involved with hosting high school youth leaders?
-
Provide accommodations--private bedroom or shared with an American teenager, and shared or private bathroom
-
Have breakfast and most dinners together with the youth delegate as a family
-
Help your guest understand American life and culture
-
Provide transportation to and from required program activities
-
Enjoy family outings and activities with your international youth guests
-
Treat the delegate like a member of the family
I'm thinking about hosting a youth delegate for the first time. What can I expect?
-
Participants will have a busy program itinerary for five to six days a week. Sundays are usually free to spend with their host families. -
As a host family, you'll be provided a program itinerary, background on the student, and a contact list of program staff as well as other hosts. And note: TGA staff are on call around the clock during youth visits. -
Your youth visitors are provided a daily stipend for lunches and incidental expenses, as well as health insurance during their stay. -
As part of the U.S. State Department's screening process, TGA will conduct background checks on host families as well as visit host families’ homes prior to hosting.
Are there other hosts I can talk to before deciding if hosting is for me?
Absolutely! TGA has a roster of hosts who are eager to provide any type of practical advice for you. Simply call TGA at 918.631.4801 and ask for host referrals!