The holiday season is full of traditions and opportunities for memory-making. When hosting an international student, it’s important to recognize your student’s cultural and holiday traditions and introduce them to yours.
This year, celebrate the holidays by hosting a multicultural gathering. Here are some exciting and inclusive ways to celebrate the holidays with international students.
Don’t force a tradition on your student
The most important consideration while you enjoy the holidays with your student is not to force a tradition or activity on your student. Students who engage in international homestays are typically open to new experiences, but there are several reasons not to force holiday traditions on your student:
- They may be homesick: The holidays can make some people miss home. While they may be interested in trying new things at other points in the year, be mindful of their emotional state during the holidays and don’t push too hard.
- It may conflict with their beliefs: Many holiday traditions are rooted in religious or cultural beliefs, and some may conflict with your student’s belief system. Encourage your student to try your traditions, but don’t be offended if they refuse.
Attend local holiday festivals and events this Holiday Season
You can attend many cultural and social festivals and events with your international student. Here are some great ones in Vancouver and Thunder Bay:
- Vancouver Christmas Market. Experience the magic of a European-style holiday with great eats, artisan shopping, and entertainment in downtown Vancouver at Jack Poole Plaza.
- PNE Winter Fair: Experience entertainment, shopping, rides, and family-friendly winter fun at the PNE fairgrounds from Dec 6-8 or 12-23.
- Peak of Christmas: Experience Christmas from the top of Grouse Mountain, including snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and an outdoor ice rink, with the beautiful downtown Vancouver backdrop.
- Outdoor winter sports in Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay is perfect for many outdoor sports activities, such as dog sledding, ice fishing, skating, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Gather with other homestay hosts this Holiday Season
Host a gathering with other homestay host families to make it an even more inclusive holiday. This could be an excellent opportunity for everyone to bring a holiday tradition or food to share with the group.
Look for other homestay hosts with students of similar ages. Each family brings one food item, dessert, and holiday game or activity to share with the group. It creates an opportunity to connect with other host families and learn about even more holiday traditions and observances.
Call home this Holiday Season
The holidays can make your student feel homesick. Encourage your student to call home to say hi to their family and friends during the holiday season, especially if you notice their behaviour changes.
Create space for your student to have private calls with their family whenever they need.
Attend a holiday religious service together
If your student is open to it, invite them to a holiday service at your church. You can also find a religious church or congregation for your student’s faith and offer to attend a service at their church with them.
Participate in a volunteer opportunity together this Holiday Season
Volunteerism transcends cultural boundaries. There are many volunteer opportunities around the holidays. Here are some ideas to volunteer or give back during the holidays with your international student:
- Collect food donations for a local food bank
- Donate unused, warm clothing to a shelter
- Volunteer for a care home to provide social visits for seniors without local family.
- Donate to a holiday toy drive
- Donate to your favourite charity or community group.
- Offer to cook holiday meals for the homeless
- Create holiday cards to distribute to shelters or families struggling in your community
- Adopt a family in need and create a food hamper
- Volunteer your time for a local animal shelter
Cultural gift exchanges or Secret Santa
If you’ll be exchanging gifts, why not make it a Secret Santa gift exchange? Draw names in early December to give everyone time to find a gift.
Give the exchange a theme like:
- Must be related to a beloved family or cultural holiday tradition
- Must be homemade
- Must be under a particular dollar value
- Must be a specific colour
- Must start with the first letter of the recipient’s name.
- (or any other fun theme you can think of).
Go for a Holiday lights drive this Holiday Season
Not all inclusive holiday activities have to cost money. Get a map of local homes and businesses with awesome holiday decorations and go on a holiday lights tour to enjoy the displays.
Remember that some decked-out homes also collect donations for their favourite charity, so bring some loose change to donate to your favourite homes.
Not a host family yet? Here’s how to get started
If spending the holiday season with an international student sounds like a great opportunity for you and your family, become a homestay host with Harmony Homestay. We’re looking for new families in BC and Ontario for the new year.
You can provide a safe space for an international or foreign exchange student to live while living abroad. You can teach them a new language, a new culture, and create experiences that they’ll remember for a lifetime.
The holiday season is a joyous time for many families, full of traditions and family time. Share your holidays with an international student through Harmony Homestay.
Learn more about the benefits and requirements to become a host family with Harmony Homestay and submit your host family application today.
