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HOMESTAY LIFE EXPECTATIONS

As an international student living with a Canadian family, students have the opportunity to have an authentic Canadian family experience. It is always important to remember that international students will be treated as members of the family, and this comes with some responsibility and expectation to act as a member of the family.

RESPECT MULTICULTURALISM

Canada is a multi-cultural country. As a result, some of our homestay families may have foreign names but are second generation Canadians who speak fluent English. It is always our objective to ensure that our students are placed in homestays where English is the only spoken language. We expect our students to respect that. Prejudice and racism are not tolerated by the Powell River School District. Any experiences of prejudice and/or racism should be reported to the international program.

BE A FAMILY MEMBER

Students are joining a family and are expected to conform to the normal rules of family life and to contribute to family life and the routines of the household. Your family must not be treated as landlords or a hotel.

ASK FOR PERMISSION

Always ask your host parent’s permission before making plans. Overnight stays outside the family home are up to the discretion and permission of the host parents.

Be sure to tell them:    

• Where you would like to go
• How you will get there
• Who you will be with
• When you will be home – be sure to be back on time.
• Advise your homestay family by telephone if you will be late or if you want to change your plans

Your homestay family may refuse you permission to participate in some activity.

Reasons for refusal could include:

• Concern for your safety
• Conflict with family plans
• Concern that it is not an accepted activity for international students

RESPECT PARENT DECISIONS AND RULES

The host parent's decision must be respected. The international program has suggested curfews for evening. However, your host parent's rule comes first.

SUGGESTED CURFEW

INTERACT WITH THE FAMILY

Come prepared to participate in family life and share in the responsibilities of being a family member. 

- Be friendly. 

- Have meals with the family. 

- Visit and talk with the family. 

- Take part in family activities and outings.

The first few weeks living in a new country with a new family will, at times, be difficult.  You may feel homesick and frustrated with your new environment and the language.  This is natural. Give yourself time to adjust to your new surroundings.

If you choose to participate in family holidays and/or travel where costs are incurred, you are expected to assist in bearing the costs.  Where you choose not to participate in the activity, then you and the homestay parents must make alternate arrangements that are acceptable to everyone, including the international program expectations. The International Program staff should be notified if students are not staying at or with their host parents.

CHORES IN THE HOMESTAY

Your host family will welcome you into their home as a member of the family. This means that you will be treated more informally than a “guest” would be. Families appreciate it when you offer to help in the home by keeping your room clean and doing general chores, such as setting the table, doing the dishes, or helping to prepare dinner. As a family member, you may be asked to make your own breakfast and lunch, or do your own laundry because this is what most family members do.

Remember, you are not staying in a hotel where maid services are provided and your host family members are not there to act as servants. You are a “member” of their family during your stay.

Helping with these chores can also give you the opportunity to talk to a family member, to practice your English and to be part of the family.

MEALS

Three meals per day are normal. If parents happen to be away then food would be made available for you to prepare. Often, Canadian students prepare their own lunches to take to school.

Weekdays, breakfast is a quick, light meal. Families may prepare breakfast together. This meal may include bread/toast, juice/milk, cereal/eggs/jam, etcLunch may include sandwiches, raw vegetable, cookies, milk/juice, fruit. Dinners may include rice, meat, cooked vegetables, salad and dessert.

Your host family will ask you what foods you like and dislike, so that they can try to meet your needs. You should politely inform your host family if you do not like a particular food or have any food allergies.

You might offer to share your culture by preparing a dinner for your host family.

TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF POWELL RIVER

Out of town travel with persons other than homestay family members are subject to the approval of the International Administrator or Homestay Coordinator.  This approval MUST be obtained from the International Office Staff at least TWO WEEKS prior to the planned travel. There is an Application to Travel Permission package to be completed. 

You may not travel outside the Powell River area without a responsible adult and written permission from your natural parents. We will need the contact information. If you are travelling is outside of Canada, you will need to obtain a travel letter from the International Office.

STUDENT HOLIDAY TRAVEL/VACATIONS

Our policy is that no deduction is made in homestay fee if you temporarily leave the homestay for vacation. The full month’s homestay is expected to be paid to the host family.

If you are travelling with your homestay, please obtain a letter of written confirmation from your natural family. Please provide the International Office with emergency contact numbers where you can be reached during your absence. You will need a travel letter from our office if the travel is outside Canada.

If you wish to travel outside Canada (including the US) you should have travel medical insurance and ensure that you have proper travel documentation to enter a different country and to return to Canada.

CHRISTMAS/SPRING BREAK ABSENCE

No deduction is made in homestay payment if a student leaves the homestay for vacation. The full month’s homestay is expected to be paid to the host family. If there is any deduction, it will be at the discretion of the homestay parents. It is also expected that no additional homestay fee will be charged to hold your room for you provided the full month homestay fee has been paid in advance.

HOST FAMILY VACATIONS

You should never be left alone overnight in your homestay. Arrangements should be made for a responsible person (someone at least 25 years old) to be in the home for your homestay’s absence. The International Office is to be advised of the arrangements for your care during your homestay’s absence.

MEDICAL

All our international students have private medical coverage for the first three months of their program with Student Guard Me. If you are staying in our district for less than 6 months you will continue to be covered by Student Guard Me. All other full year students will be enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia after the initial 3 months.

Student Guard Me: If you need any medical assistance while enrolled in the private insurance, you will be required to pay for the service and then you will submit receipts to Student Guard Me (through homestay coordinator) for a refund. However, if you need hospital attention, you will give the address for SD 47, it will be submitted by the homestay coordinator, to Guard Me insurance. Once you have MSP (BC Insurance) you will show your medical card and all costs will be paid. Please note the prescription drugs are not paid by either medical insurance.

NOTE: While you are covered with Student Guard Me you will have medical coverage if you leave British Columbia (go to United States or another province). MSP, however, does NOT provide this coverage – you should look to see what other coverage you may have from your home country or you may need to purchase temporary travel insurance.

NOT ALLOWED

As an International Student in Canada on a student visa, you may not use alcohol or illegal drugs.

Immigration Canada does not permit you to be employed while in Canada.

If you commit an offence under Canadian law, then you will be dealt with by the police and Immigration Canada, as necessary. Homestay parents are not held accountable for offences committed by students.  If you break the law you will be immediately dismissed from our program.

SUSPENSION POLICY

School: If, after repeated warnings, you continue to disobey the rules of the school, you will be suspended from school and may be dismissed from the International Student Program and sent home.

Homestay: If, after repeated warnings, you continue to disobey the homestay guidelines and rules, you may be dismissed from the International Program and sent home.

Damage to Property: If you neglectfully, accidentally, or willfully damage property at home, school or the community, your parents will be notified and billed for the amount of the damage.

TELEVISION

You may choose to watch television and take part in other family entertainment during normal hours just like other family members.  By doing this, your English will improve rapidly, and you will feel more comfortable with the family.

TRANSPORTATION

Do not rely on your host family to drive you everywhere.  They are not expected to do this.

Use public transportation (bus) or bicycle when possible.

If you live outside the normal school catchment area, your homestay parent will show you how to get to and from school using public transport or make arrangements for your transportation.

The homestay parent may be available to drive you to activities at the school or the community if you make polite and reasonable requests.  Remember, the host families are not expected to drive you to activities or school but may do so at times if they can.

The host family or school will provide transportation to the hospital or to the doctor if you are sick or injured.

YOUR ROOM

You will have your own room that will be furnished with a bed, dresser, closet, mattress, pillow and bed linens.  Your room will have an adequate study area with a suitable lamp, chair and desk. In some homes, if there is no desk in your room, a study area will be available.

You and your homestay parents will need to talk about how much time you’ll want to spend alone.  Respecting privacy is important, but too much time spent alone or writing/talking in your own language means less time spent practicing English and is not healthy.

BATHROOM USE

You should find out what your family’s expectations are concerning the use of the bathroom.  It is important to know when you can shower or bathe and for how long.  It is not necessary for you to wait until your host parents have showered before taking your shower, but you should be sure to leave enough hot water for everybody.  You should not take showers after 10:00 pm if it disturbs the family.

Your family will provide necessary bathroom items such as toilet paper, soap and towels but you will need to supply your own personal items such as toothpaste, shampoo and hand cream.

You should try to leave the bathroom clean and dry after you use it.

SMOKING/VAPING

If you are under the age of 19 in British Columbia it is illegal to buy cigarettes or vape.  Students cannot smoke on school property or in their host family’s home.  If you are a smoker, we must have a letter on file from your parents giving you permission to smoke

DEALING WITH PROBLEMS

Your homestay experience is an important part of your stay in Canada.  It gives you the opportunity to become a member of a Canadian family.  If you are having difficulty adjusting to your host family, try to communicate your problems and concerns with them.  Often, problems and misunderstandings can be resolved in this way.  If they cannot be resolved, your homestay coordinator or international school administrator is always available to help you resolve your problems.  

Families and students are expected to make every effort to make the homestay a success.  In the unlikely event that families and students are incompatible, and every effort has failed to improve the situation, then another homestay will be arranged by the homestay coordinator. Students are not allowed to arrange their own family.

Please be advised and remember, if you are involved in a serious violation of the homestay rules, then you may be sent home.

IN CONCLUSION

Please keep the International Office informed of any concerns or issues that arise with your homestay. If you ever feel uncertain or uncomfortable about a situation, please contact our office.