Imagine sharing your life with an international student, giving them a unique glimpse into Canadian life. Abbotsford families can when they join Harmony Homestay as a host family. 

Hosting an international student has wide-reaching benefits for your whole family. Keep reading to learn why you should become a homestay host in Abbotsford, BC. 

Share your Traditions with a Student

A homestay is a cultural exchange. Students sign-up for homestay programs to travel the world and learn what it’s like to live in another place with its unique culture and traditions. As a homestay host, you get to show a student what living in Canada is like. You can introduce them to Canadian:

  • Cultural traditions
  • Diverse food
  • Outdoor recreation and sightseeing
  • Sports culture
  • Hobbies

Be sure to immerse the student into your family life and treat them like a member of the family. If your family observes a traditional experience, invite the student to join in and learn about it with you. The student is expected to follow your house rules, so ensure they are equitable to other children in your family and appropriate for their age and responsibility. 

Learn About New Cultures and Traditions

Your family will have many opportunities to learn about other cultures from your homestay students. Engage with your international student, asking them about their cultures. You could ask your student to:

  • Teach you their favourite recipes
  • Introduce you to new artists, music, and entertainment (like movies)
  • Share their favourite holiday traditions

Remember, the best homestays are where there is a reciprocal sharing of knowledge and experiences. This way, everyone can learn something new!

Create New Family Memories

Hosting an international student provides many opportunities to create new memories for your children and family. Part of being a host family is taking the student to see the local hotspots and destinations around the community. 

Cater your outings to your student’s interests. They may enjoy local (to Abbotsford) favourite hangouts or “touristy” spots like:

Don’t forget to explore the rest of southwestern BC with your student, venturing into Downtown Vancouver, driving up to Whistler, or visiting other parks, museums, and destinations that pique your student’s interest. 

Often, you create close bonds with your international students and choose to stay in touch after their stay with your family is over. This grows your international friendships, and one day, you may get to visit the students’ family home, or their family may come to visit you. 

Boost Your Communication Skills

International students usually arrive in your home with a basic knowledge of English, but communication across languages and cultures can be challenging. This is a great opportunity to learn and work together with your student. You can both practice your communication skills including using non-verbal cues and other ways to communicate with each other while your student is learning English.  

Plant the Seed of Adventure

Being able to visit a new country helps plant the seed of international adventure for an eager student. For some, it may be their first time out of their country (or even their community). It’s like opening a window to new worlds, and by creating a positive experience during their stay, you’re showing them the possibilities of international travel and living. 

You never know if this experience will spark a GAP year for the student to travel the world upon graduation. It may inspire them to move to Canada or another country one day. 

Earn a Monthly Compensation

As a host family, you earn a monthly compensation for hosting an international student. This amount, typically $1,200 per month in the Lower Mainland and covers your international student’s additional accommodation and food costs. You may receive more compensation depending on location and if your student has specific dietary requirements.

How to Become a Homestay Family in Abbotsford, BC

Harmony Homestay vets all potential host families to ensure they have the ability to support an international student. You’ll need to provide more than a roof over their head: you need to provide a positive, enriching experience. 

To become a homestay hosts you must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen
  • Only speak English around your student
  • Provide three healthy meals per day (plus snacks)
  • Offer a private bedroom with a window, bed, desk, drawers, and unlimited access to high-speed wireless internet
  • Agree not to leave the student alone at home overnight without supervision
  • Provide criminal record checks (for all adults in the house)

Opening your home to a homestay student is an unforgettable, rewarding experience for all members of your family. As a homestay host, you’ll play a life-changing role in the lives of an international student.

We’ve got students in Grades 8-12 and university students looking for placements in your area. Learn more about becoming a host family or complete your online application today.

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