Homestay Application

For Portland State University International Students and Scholars

Important Notes:

• If you are not a PSU international student or scholar please do not submit an application for a homestay. Instead, send an e-mail telling us your name, sex, school and campus, and your requested homestay dates.  We will reply telling you whether or not we can help you. 
• We are not able to provide this service for those coming to Portland for internships or jobs.
• Not for the use of travel agents or other placement agencies.
• This application must be completed by the applicant.
• FOCUS Homestays is run by volunteers. We try to help all who want homestays, but we are not always able to find available host families.

Cost Of A Homestay

• The Homestay fee is set by the host family. You and the host family should agree upon the cost before moving in.
• Long-term stay (more than one month): Most host families charge about $650 (all meals provided) or about $525 (breakfast only) per month.
• Short-term stay (one month or less):  Most families charge about $30 per day including meals. or about $25 per day including breakfast only. (Each family sets their own rate.)

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING PAYMENTS:

• If at all possible, your payments to the host family should be by personal check or bank check made payable to the host family.
• The host family should give you a receipt showing the date received, the amount paid and the dates of occupancy that are being paid for by the check.
• Your host family should not require you to pay for more than one month in advance.
• Your host family should not require that payments be made in cash.

Information About Host Families:

• A host family may be a single person, a married couple, or parent/s with children.
• Most of our host families live between 35 and 60 minutes from PSU by bus or train.
• We will try to match your preferences for a host family as closely as possible. However, we can’t guarantee a certain type of family or distance from PSU.
• Those who apply early will have a better chance of their preferences being matched.
• While FOCUS helps arrange homestays, the homestay agreement is between the host family and the student.

When to apply:

• Please submit your application 4 weeks or more before your requested move-in date. However, if you want a homestay sooner, apply anyway, and we will try to help. You can write to us first to check on the likelihood of us finding a host family on short notice.

When completing the form, please don’t use all capitals or all lower case.

No: “greg steward”
No: “GREG STEWARD”.
Yes: “Greg Steward”

Thanks!

1. Basic Information About You
2. Given Name(required)
3. Nickname (if any)
4. Family Name(required)
5. Home Country(required)
6. Home City(required)
7. Gender(required)
8. What is your age?(required)
9. Birthdate (MM/DD/YYYY)(required)
10. Email Address(valid email required)
11. Current Address in United States (if any)
12. Phone Number (if any)
13. Date of Arrival in United States (MM/DD/YYYY)(required)
14. Date of Arrival in Portland (MM/DD/YYYY)(required)
15. Homestay Information
16. When would you like the homestay to begin? (MM/DD/YYYY)(required)
17. How long would you like to live with a host family?(required)
18. How long will you live in Portland?(required)
19. Are you married?Select answerMarriedSingle(required)
20. Will a spouse come with you?Select answerA spouse will not be coming.A spouse will come with me (or soon after).(required)
21. Will you have a car?Select answerI won't have a carI will have a carI might be getting a car(required)
22. Do you smoke?Do you smoke?No - I do not smokeYes - I smoke insideYes - I smoke but only outside(required)
23. Please choose your meal option:Select answerHomestay with breakfast onlyHomestay with all mealsFlexible. I do not require the hosts to provide all meals(required)
24. Do you need a special type of food or diet?Select with mouse; hold Ctrl key to select additional.No - I don't have any special diet needHalal foodKosher foodVegetarian - no meatVegan - no animal products(required)
25. If yes, please give details
26. Do you have any allergies?(required)
27. Which would you prefer your host family to beSelect AnswerA Single PersonA Married CoupleNo Preference(required)
28. Do you have a preference regarding ages of children in host family?Select with mouse; hold Ctrl key to select additional.No PreferenceNo Children Living At HomeChildren (Ages Baby to 2)Children (Ages 3 to 5)Children (Ages 6 to 11)Children (Ages 12 to 15)Children (Ages 16 to 18)(required)
29. Do you have brothers and/or sisters?Select answerYes - I have brother and/or sistersNo - I do not have brother or sisters(required)
30. If you have brothers or sisters, what are their ages and genders?
31. Can you live in a homestay where there are dogs?Select answerYes, it would be fine if the homestay had dogsNo, I don't want a homestay with dogsNot sure. It depends on the dog.(required)
32. Can you live in a homestay where there are cats?Select answerYes, it would be fine if the homestay had catsNo, I don't want a homestay with cats(required)
33. What animals does your family have for pets (if none, enter "none")?(required)
34. What is the main reason you want to stay with an American family?(required)
35. Describe the "perfect host family" (tell us what you would enjoy doing with your host family and how you hope they will interact with you) (required)
36. What is your current or most recent school?(required)
37. What did you study (your major) at your last or current school?(required)
38. Enter PSU ID Number:(required)
39. What will you study or research while you are in Portland?(required)
40. What is your first language?(required)
41. What other languages do you speak?
42. What is your level of English?Select answerBeginners LevelBasic Conversation LevelIntermediate Conversation LevelAdvanced Conversation Level(required)
43. What is your religion, if any?(required)
44. How often do you attend religious services?
45. Please answer the following questions in more detail
46. Describe your personality? (How would your friends describe you?) (required)
47. What do you like to do in your free time - hobbies, activities, sports ? (required)
48. What are your goals in life? (What would you like to accomplish during your lifetime?)
49. What do you hope to do while you are in Oregon (besides attend classes)? (required)
50. What else would you like us/your host family to know about you and your family?
51. Do we have permission to share this information with a potential host family?Select answerYes - you may share this information with a potential host family.No - you may not share this information with a potential host family.(required)
52. Would you like information from FOCUS about their other activities and events for internationals?
53. YesNo
54. Send me a copy (please check box)