Host parents
- what you need to know
It's
always nice to meet someone new, but with Project Canada's student
program, you may also be able to begin a life long friendship by welcoming
an international student into your home and life.
So, if you
are asking yourself, who is eligible to host?
Probably YOU!
There is no specific "type" of host family. Host families come in all
sizes, ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic levels, and from very diverse
locations like small towns, rural farms, big cities. Project Canada
considers two-parent families, single parent families, retired couples,
childless couples and even single adults (under certain circumstances)
eligible to host one or more of our students.
You read
correctly, or more. That's because some of our families, especially those
without children of their own, may be eligible to host 2 students. This
way the 2 students have each other as company. The bottom line as far as
who is eligible to host is.... anyone willing to open their heart and home
is already half way there.
What are my
responsibilities as a host parent?
Hosting means
inviting a foreign teen between the ages of 15 and 18 to become a part of
your family for either an academic year or a single semester. Our student,
your new family member IS NOT A GUEST. They become an intricate part of
your family and your day to day lives. If you have children of your own,
your student should be treated just as you treat your own son or daughter.
They expect to be given chores such as taking out the garbage, helping to
clean up the kitchen after a meal, washing the car, etc. No different
than your own children's chores. They bring their own spending money for
things like eating out, going to the movies, going bowling, buying
clothes, shopping at the mall, etc. All our students carry full medical
insurance.
You are basically
expected to
provide all
three daily meals, a warm, safe and friendly atmosphere and a safe means
of travel to school; to help him/her adjust to new surroundings; to assume
parental care for the exchange student; to ensure that he/she is immersed
in the target language and given full opportunity to hear and use English
at home as well as at school; and to ensure that he/she is exposed to as
many cultural activities as possible, all of the foregoing at no cost to
the visiting exchange student. Host families will receive financial help
by Project Canada.
Lastly, but most
importantly, all our students are on program because they want to
experience life with a Canadian host family and attend a Canadian high
school. Each student is carefully screened to assure that he or she is
prepared to become an exchange student. Your student will attend your
local high school.
Host
families play an important role in Project Canada's international student
program. A host family doesn't just provide the student with a place to
live - they also nurture the development of the student academically,
socially and culturally.
Host
families will receive background and reference checks before being
approved to host an international student. A Project Canada home stay
coordinator will make a home visit prior to the arrival of the student to
assess the host family's commitment to the student's growth and
development.
International students will be matched with host families based on
religious needs, family constellation, proximity to school/busing, dietary
needs, pets, and smoking/non-smoking.
Project
Canada's home stay coordinators are always available to host families in
case of questions, comments or problems. Project Canada will help you
adjust and integrate your exchange student into your life. They are not
only involved to help the students, but are there to help you, too.
Should you
be interested in applying to host a foreign student please fill out the
application form and send it to us via email or Canada Post. See Contact
Us for information.
Application
Please
refer to our homestay guide for
more detailed information.
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