Host Family Guidelines

Being a Host Family is a wonderful experience for the whole family. Below are some expectations from both you and the student. If ever you feel you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

English Only Policy

All students are expected to speak English in your home. It is considered to be impolite to speak another language in front of a Host Family.

Homes

Homestay families are interested in different cultures. In Canada, the word ”family” could mean any of the following: a single person, two people who are living together but who are not married, a divorced or widowed person with children or a married couple with or without children.  Share a little bit about your family history with your student.

Leaving Your Homestay

Students are to give you one full month’s notice of their intent to move. For example: if they want to move the end of March, they must tell you of their intentions on March 1 – no later.

Homestay Fees

The Homestay fee is $700 per month for Middle to High School Students and $800 per month for Elementary Students.  This will be paid directly to you on a monthly basis from the school or from an agent on behalf of the student. We do not require a damage deposit, but students are expected to pay for any damages that may take place during your stay.  They are to let you know as soon as any damage is done.

Bus Passes

Older students wishing to use the City Bus may purchase monthly bus passes from City Hall or from the ticket center at Orchard Park Mall.

Speaking English and Having Conversation

The more your student speaks English, the more quickly their English will improve.  Encourage them to be friendly and participate in some activity with the family, help prepare a meal and initiate conversation.  discourage them from always just going to their room and closing the door.  It would be good for them to sit in the living room reading a book or watch TV. 

Helping with Household Tasks

Depending on the age and maturity of the student, their bedroom is their responsibility.  They are to make their own bed and clean their room.  All students will have to be trained in this area whether they are younger or older.  They can be asked to help the family by setting and clearing the table, washing and drying the dishes.  This is always a great time to have conversation too. You will have to remind them from time to time that you are not their maid.  They are to clean up after themselves, show initiative, and ask if they have questions. 

Privacy

Their bedroom is their own private place.  It is always good to knock on the door if it is closed.  As in any home, it is always appreciated if there is respect for each other’s privacy.

Meals

It is expected that you will be provide three meals each day for your student. Depending on their age, they will need to be shown how to make their own breakfast and their own lunch to take to school.   If a student is old enough to be a bit more independent they will need to be encouraged to always be on time for supper and if they are going to arrive late or will not be coming home to eat, they need to tell you as soon as possible.

The food will be different from what they are accustomed to and the manner of eating will probably be as well.  Indeed, the initial smells and sights of the food can be the most unsettling part of switching cultures for some students.  Encourage them to try new foods.  They may even have some recipes from their country that they would like to share with the family.    

It is always a good idea to ask again regarding any allergies to food.  They are so used to eating rice, as their main staple. Not having it on a daily basis, may be difficult to them, but that’s an easy fix.  If they are older, they may like to learn how to make it.  Rice can be made in larger amounts and put in baggies in the freezer as they desire. 

Remind them that it is common to have cereal and toast, coffee, tea, and juice for breakfast.  A more elaborate breakfast can involve eggs, oatmeal, or pancakes.  Lunches generally involve sandwiches, juice, fruit, and/or cookies.

If you feel comfortable showing them how to make some of these items, I’m sure they would like that. They will soon find breakfast and lunch easy to prepare.  You will need to show them how to clean the kitchen to your expectations after using it.  Older students should not fall into the trap of skipping breakfast and taking a bag of chips for lunch.  They will need a lot of energy as they immerse themselves into a new language and culture.

In some cultures, people show appreciation for food by making a lot of noises.  In Canada, however, making loud noises while eating, chewing with your mouth open, or burping is considered rude.  Students may have to be reminded of some of these habits from time to time. 

Bathroom

I suggest that you explain ‘how’ to use the bathroom in your home.  Bathrooms in Asian countries are usually all tiled and water can go over the floor without any problems as they have open showers – no curtains and drains in the middle of the floor for water to flow down.  So, your student will need to be educated.  They need to be encouraged not to take long showers and use too much hot water.  A daily shower is common.  Generally, a shower should last no more than 10 minutes. 

Students are used to staying up very late at night…and even early morning.  I suggest that you give them a cut off time of 10:00PM to take a shower in the evening.  Remind them that all toilet paper and only toilet paper can be placed in the toilet.  (In Asian countries, garbage cans are used for soiled toilet paper as their sewer systems cannot handle the load as in Canada.)  They are expected to purchase all of their own toiletries, such as: soap, shampoo, conditioner (all hair products), shaver, shaving cream, toothpaste, plus all other personal items. 

** Remind the girls who use tampons or sanitary napkins for menstruation to wrap and place them in a garbage can after use rather than flushing them down the toilet. 

Laundry

Students can be shown how to use the washer and dryer. Again depending on their age, you may or may not want them to do their own laundry.

Keys

For older students, you can give them a key for the house. They will need to be shown what your expectations are when they leave your home.   

Telephone

Explain to your student that local telephone calls are free, but to keep them short. They will need to ask their friends or families overseas not to phone them after 10:00PM.  They need to ask you for permission to make a long distance phone call.  These calls should be collect (the person they are calling will pay for it).  If they cannot call collect, they must pay you as soon as the telephone bill arrives.  Giving them a photocopy of your bill is a good idea.  Then there are no questions asked.  If they are planning to stay a long time in Canada, it might be a good idea to have their own private telephone (their own number and bill) put in their bedroom.

Pets

They will soon realize that many Canadian families keep a dog or a cat or both as pets.  These animals usually live indoors and are very often treated as members of the family. 

Asking a friend to visit

Students should always ask you in advance if it is alright to have a visitor over. They will need to be reminded that they and their friends must always speak English. Occasionally, they may want a friend to sleep overnight. This is always up to the Homestay’s discretion.

Visits away from a Homestay

Older students need to always leave the name of the person and his/her telephone number where they will be when they go out.  They are not to disappear without telling you where you are going. If they are going to be delayed, they will need to call you as it is better to call very late at night than not to call at all, as you may worry about them.  Students are expected to sleep overnight in their own bed.  It is not a common practice to sleep at a friend’s home. They need to always ask permission.

Other expenses

Host families should include their student when going somewhere as a family. If it is something out of the ordinary, with an extra cost because of their presence, they should volunteer to pay.  Host families do not pay for extra activities or outings. For example: concerts, theatre, sport events, and skiing.  If you suggest eating a meal in a restaurant, it is up to your discretion to suggest to the student that he or she pay for the meal. Some families will pay up to a certain amount, and then the student would pay the difference. Always tell them of your plans before you leave the house so that they can bring their wallets and there are no surprises for them.

Culture Shock

All of this change – from food to conversational patterns – will likely produce culture shock. This is a period of disorientation and an anxiety as the two cultures clash within the student. This can be quite overwhelming and cause many emotions to arise, but encourage your student to be very flexible and open-minded. You can remind them that this is happening to others. They can talk to other students, you as their Host Family or me, their International Student Coordinator. Then you can reassure them that better times will come. Enjoy your experience with your new student. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.