GlobalPittsburgh (Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors)

The mission of GlobalPittsburgh (formerly the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors) is to forge cultural, educational, and business relationships between Western Pennsylvania and the global community through citizen diplomacy.

GlobalPittsburgh (formerly PCIV) is the sole liaison for Western Pennsylvania for the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, arranging professional meetings between distinguished international leaders and their counterparts in the Pittsburgh regional community. GlobalPittsburgh designs short-term training programming that include professional appointments and lectures, hospitality, cultural activities, and all logistical support. GlobalPittsburgh provides international scholars, researchers and expatriate employees opportunities to interact with host families, participate in activities throughout the region, and assists them in adapting to the region. International students and professionals may apply for short-term homestays to live with host families. GlobalPittsburgh arranges tours, tailored professional meetings, and/or hospitality for short-term visitors sponsored by businesses and institutions. The organization directly connects international students and professionals with globally-minded members of the Pittsburgh regional community through our First Thursdays monthly networking event and other member activities.

Testimonials

Words from host families:

"When we first moved to Pittsburgh we found ourselves without family during most holidays and hosting became a way to fill in the blanks. It
was a way for our children and us to have experience living and learning about foreign cultures. After 40 years, hosting has continued to bring new dimensions to our lives. We still keep in touch with our first visitor and many others have returned with family members to meet us"

In follow-up for your request for feedback I'd like to share that this group of visitors (Mandela Washington Fellows) and the opportunity to host them was amazing!!!!! What an outstanding group of young people--doing incredible work for the benefit of others. I was so inspired by them. Thanks for the opportunity to host.

Feedback about a visitor who had a homestay with a host family
--------- was so nervous going into her homestay. She was so elated when she returned to the hotel. Every detail [about the weekend homestay] was recalled with a huge smile. This was a transformative experience for the student.