Homestay FAQ

What can I expect in homestay?

Canadians are very proud of our multi-cultural society; and our host families reflect the many different backgrounds that make up Canada. Our host families also come in many different shapes and sizes – they might be a couple with or without children; a single-parent family; or a retired couple.

Your host family may actually be very different from what you expect a “Canadian family” to be. But rest assured we are very careful to choose kind, caring families that are sensitive to the cultural differences you will face on arrival.

Because the English immersion experience is perhaps the most important aspect of living in homestay, all our families must speak clear, proper English at all times in the home.

How do you choose your families?

All of our host families are interviewed and their homes are inspected before they join our homestay program. During the interview, we are careful to look for families that are genuinely interested in sharing their home with you and that will be able to make you feel welcome and comfortable. During the home inspection, we are checking to make sure that the home is clean, in a safe neighbourhood, close enough to public transit and that the house facilities, including your room, are appropriate.

We also have all host family members go through a Criminal Background Check so we can feel confident in recommending a safe home for you.

What is expected of the student in the homestay program?

Adjusting to life in a strange home and strange country can be stressful. We ask that our students show a willingness to learn from and participate with the host family. Communication, consideration and tolerance are the three most important factors in a successful homestay experience. After all, cultural differences are never right or wrong, just “different”.

How do you place your students?

We do our best to match each student with the “right” family. To help us do this, we ask you to provide us with as much information as possible about yourself and what you are expecting from a host family. Are you quiet and shy or friendly and outgoing? Are you looking for a big family with many children who will give you lots of attention or are you looking for a more private experience? What are your hobbies? Answering these questions can really help us find the best possible family for you. When applying for the school and our homestay program please feel free to tell us as much as possible about yourself!

What will the food be like?

The food you eat in Canada will most likely be quite different from what you eat in your home country. Our homestay program fees include three full meals and snacks every day. The host family is responsible for making dinner; you are responsible for making your own breakfast and lunch using food provided by the host family. We also promote an “Open Refrigerator Policy” in our homestays, which means you should feel comfortable helping yourself to something to eat at any time.

Every host family is different but you can probably expect the following:

Breakfast – cereal with milk, toast, juice and coffee or tea are standard. On the weekends, breakfast may be bigger and include eggs, pancakes, bacon, etc…

Lunch – most students pack their own lunch for school. Lunch usually includes a sandwich (we eat lots of sandwiches for lunch!), a drink, some fruit and snacks like cookies.

Dinner – in Canada we tend to eat a lot of food that is quick and easy to prepare as both parents are usually very busy. Meat, chicken and fish are all popular, so are pastas, casseroles and stir fry dishes. Salads, vegetables and rice or potatoes are also usually served with dinner.

Please feel free to let us know if you have any food allergies or special requests like a vegetarian diet or religious dietary restrictions.

What will my room be like?

Again each house is different, but you can expect to have a room in which you feel comfortable to sleep and study. That means your room will be clean, private and have a bed and small study area.

What is the rest of the house going to be like?

You are welcome to share the rest of the home’s facilities. Our students typically do not have their own private bathroom but share with other students or other family members. Most homes have a kitchen of course, laundry facilities, other bedrooms and living rooms or family rooms where you and the family can hang out and watch TV together. Most homestays are typical detached North American houses, but some of our host families live in apartments or townhouses. In any case, we are careful to choose homes or apartments that are large enough and have the proper facilities for you to feel comfortable.

Will there be other students in the home?

About 70% of our host families tend to have at least one additional student in the home. Sometimes, there may be 2 or even 3 other students in the home. In any case, the students must all be of different language groups to ensure that only English is spoken in the home. Each student will also have their own private bedroom. And the students will also be of the same gender, meaning all boys or all girls. No matter if there is just one or as many as four students in the home, it is important that the family make sure each student is comfortable and happy.

Will I have to do chores?

In homestay, as you are treated like one of the family, you will be expected to help out around the house. Keeping your room tidy, cleaning your share of the bathroom and washing up after you use the dishes are examples of what is commonly expected of students. You are also expected to do your own laundry, using the home’s laundry facilities (which the host family will gladly show you how to use). You are not expected to do any additional, unreasonable chores in order to earn your stay!

Does each family have their own rules for the house?

Whenever there are a number of people living together, especially if they do not know each other very well, it can be helpful for there to be guidelines to assist with communication. When you arrive at your homestay, your new family may present some guidelines or rules for their home to you. Some examples of common rules are:
· Please call before 5pm if you will not be coming home for dinner
· Please limit the use of the shower in the morning to just 15 minutes.
· Please do not use the telephone for long periods of time if others are waiting.

Please remember that these rules are not intended to restrict you but to ensure that everyone can live comfortably in the same home. Calling home if you are not coming for dinner lets the family know not to wait for you, limiting your time in the shower means hot water will be available for everyone, and checking to see if others want to use the phone is a simple courtesy.

Again, communication is the key to a successful homestay experience.

Will there be pets?

Most Canadian families have pets, usually a dog or cat. If you are allergic to animals, please be sure to indicate this clearly on your application so we can place you in a home with no pets. If you have never lived with pets before you should not worry. Most students who are not used to living with animals usually adjust after just a few days of initial nervousness. Getting to know a pet can be another rewarding experience of homestay.

If I come with my relative or my spouse (husband or wife) and kids can we all stay in homestay?

We are usually able to accommodate most special requests including siblings (brothers or sisters), cousins, or families including children in homestay. However it is important for us to receive the request as far in advance as possible in order to make the necessary arrangements.

Where are the homestays?

We only use host families living in safe, clean, residential neighbourhoods with good access to public transit so you can feel comfortable and relaxed during your stay. In Vancouver most of our host families are in a suburb called North Vancouver.

How far is it from the homestay to the school?

In both Vancouver and Toronto, our homestays are between 30 and 45 minutes from the school by public transit (bus, seabus or subway). Most students have to make one transfer (bus to seabus or bus to subway) while some students have no transfers (direct bus).

How much does transit cost (bus, seabus and subway)?

The following prices are effective as of January 1, 2003.

In Vancouver, a single one-way trip costs C$3.00. Most students purchase a monthly pass which allows for unlimited travel on the bus, seabus and subway for C$87.00.

In Toronto, a single one-way trip costs C$2.25. Most students purchase a monthly pass which allows for unlimited travel on the bus, and subway for C$98.75.

Prices may change without notice. For more information please visit: www.translink.bc.ca for Vancouver and www.city.toronto.on.ca/ttc/index.htm for Toronto

Who will show me how to get to school?

The host family is responsible for showing you how to get to school and how to get home. This will be done either the weekend of your arrival or on your first day at the school.

What if I want to change my host family?

Finding the perfect match of student and family can be a big challenge as we are all different and we all have different needs and expectations. It is also very important for you, the student, to feel comfortable and happy in your homestay in order to have the most positive experience possible at our school. If you are unhappy in your homestay then you will be too stressed to learn anything at school!

Therefore, if you ever feel uncomfortable or unhappy with your homestay situation, please come and speak with the school staff. We are here to answer any questions you may have and any problem will be dealt with promptly, professionally and confidentially.

During your first month at the school we are happy to change your homestay at your request with no waiting period and no additional fees charged.

Following your first month at the school, if you want to change your host family, you may be subject to a two-week notice period and additional placement fee.

What if I want to leave my homestay?

It is fairly common for some of our long-term students to want to move out of homestay, usually to an apartment with another student. If you wish to leave your homestay, you are required to give formal notice to your host family two weeks before moving out. This is a normal request and your host family will understand, just tell them that you enjoyed staying with them but now you are going to move out with a friend.