Student Guidelines for Homestay
We are privileged to meet you and look forward to getting to know you better. You have come to the right place – a place where you will feel at home and comfortable. We are confident that your English skills will improve quickly and you will meet new friends that will last a lifetime. So enjoy your time with your Host Family and enjoy everything that Kelowna has to offer. We hope your stay will be an enjoyable one.
English Only Policy
All students are expected to speak English in their homestay. It is considered to be impolite to speak another language in front of your Host Family.
Your Canadian Homestay Home
As a Homestay student, you are taking part in a unique and wonderful adventure. You are not alone. Thousands of other students are currently involved in Homestay. As well, many people are available and eager to help you in this special time – your teachers, Heritage Christian School, and, above all, your Homestay 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.
Leaving Your Homestay
Please give your homestay one full month’s notice of your intent to move. For example: if you want to move the end of March, you must tell your Host Family of your intentions on March 1 – no later.
Homestay Fees
Depending on your age, the homestay fee is $700 - $800 per month. This will be paid directly to your homestay family on a monthly basis on your behalf. You are expected to pay for any damages that may take place during your stay. Please let the Homestay know as soon as any damage is done.
Bus Passes
Bus passes may be purchased from City Hall or at the ticket center at Orchard Park Mall.
Customs of Canadian Families
Canada is a multi-cultural country and therefore, there are many differences among Canadian families. Some people were born here and some have moved to Canada from other countries. Ask your Homestay host to explain his or her own customs and schedules to you. Tell him or her about your likes and dislikes.
Speaking English and Having Conversation
The more you speak English, the more quickly your English will improve. Be friendly: participate in some activity with the family. Do not always go to your room and close the door. Sit in the living room reading a book or watch TV. Help prepare a meal. Initiate conversation.
Helping with Household Tasks
Your bedroom is your responsibility. You must make your bed and clean your room. You are asked to help the family with daily chores, such as, setting and clearing the table, washing and drying the dishes even if the host does not ask. Remember, your Homestay host is not your maid. Clean up after yourself, show initiative, and ask if you have questions.
Privacy
Your bedroom is your own private place. People will knock if your door is closed. Also, make sure to respect the family’s privacy.
Meals
You will be provided with three meals each day. You should make your own breakfast and your own lunch to take to school.
Always be on time for dinner. If you are going to arrive late or will not be coming home to eat, tell your Homestay host as soon as possible.
The food will be different from what you 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. Remember: trying new foods is part of the Homestay experience. If you have some recipes from your country that you would like to share with the family, I am sure they would be delighted.
Tell your host if you are allergic to any food. If you would like rice more often than it is served, it is okay to ask your host to show you how to make it. Rice can be made in larger amounts and put in the fridge to use as you desire.
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.
Ask your Homestay host to show you how to make some of these items. Once you become comfortable with these foods, you will find breakfast and lunch easy to prepare. Always leave the kitchen clean. Don’t fall into the trap of skipping breakfast and taking a bag of chips for lunch. You need a lot of energy as you immerse yourself in a new language and culture. Eat healthy. 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.
Bathroom
Do not take long showers and use too much hot water. A daily shower is common. Generally, a shower should last no more than 10 minutes. Bathroom floors do not have drains, so keep the water in the basin and the bathtub. Place the shower curtain inside the bathtub when showering. Do not shower after 10:00PM. All toilet paper and only toilet paper can be placed in the toilet. Leave the bathroom clean. You are expected to purchase all of your own toiletries, such as: soap, shampoo, conditioner (all hair products), shaver, shaving cream, toothpaste, plus all other personal items.
** Women use tampons or sanitary napkins for menstruation. These are wrapped and placed in a garbage can after use rather than flushed down the toilet.
Laundry
You have the right to have the use of the laundry facilities. That usually means doing your laundry once a week, perhaps in two or three loads. Ask the Homestay host to show you how to use their washer and dryer.
Keys
Your homestay host will give you a key for the house. Make sure you lock the door when you leave the house.
Telephone
Local telephone calls are free, but keep them short. Ask your friends not to phone you after 10:00PM. Ask your Homestay host for permission to make a long distance phone call. These calls should be collect (the person you are calling will pay for it). If you cannot call collect, you must pay your Homestay host as soon as the telephone bill arrives and they will give you a photocopy of the bill. If you are planning to stay a long time in Canada, it might be a good idea to have your own private telephone (your own number and bill) put in your bedroom.
Pets
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
Ask you Homestay host in advance if it is alright to have a visitor over. Remember that you and your friends must always speak English. Occasionally, you may want a friend to sleep overnight. This may be done sometimes, but remember to always ask.
Visits away from your Homestay
Please remember to leave the name of the person and his/her telephone number where you will be when you go out. Do not disappear without telling people where you are going. If your return is going to be delayed, please call your Homestay host. It is better to call very late at night than not to call at all, as they may worry about you. You are expected to sleep overnight in your own bed. It is not a common practice to sleep at a friend’s home. Please always ask permission.
Other expenses
Your hosts should include you when going somewhere as a family. If it is something out of the ordinary, with an extra cost because of your presence, you should volunteer to pay. Your Homestay host does not pay for extra activities or outings. For example: concerts, theatre, sport events, and skiing. If your host suggests eating a meal in a restaurant, you should not have to pay as you have already paid for your food at the beginning of the month.
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 you. This can be quite overwhelming and cause many emotions to arise, but try to be very flexible and open-minded. You can remind yourself that this is happening to others. Talk to other students, your Homestay family or International Student Program Coordinator. They’ve probably seen it before and can assure you that it will get easier as time goes by.