Read entire string to get to the revised answer of this advisor/contributor, which leads to the solution that if you receive a 1099-MISC for a business contracted activity, with the intent to make money, not sporadically, and are required to report that 1099 on a Sch C, then related expenses are deductible. Hosting for international students attending private school is an entirely different program than that described in the IRS publication (for which no payment was previously given, or it was so minimal that a $50/month charitable contribution somewhat appeased the extra financial burden/cost).
