D3. Homestay

Homestay refers to an international student living with a local Canadian family while studying in Canada. This is often one of the most memorable aspects of an international student’s experience. Being able to answer the questions an international student’s family will have about their child’s living arrangement is as important as knowing about the educational part of their study abroad experience.

International students living in homestay truly become a part of their Canadian host family and will be:

• Integrated into all aspects of family life;
• Fully immersed in the local culture;
• Practicing listening and speaking with native English and/or French speakers;
• Cared for, supervised, and supported in all aspects of school/home life;
• Provided with a private bedroom and three meals daily.

Canadian host families are well-screened. If qualified and selected, they are then eligible to be carefully matched with an international student. A home visit is conducted, the family is interviewed and reference checked, and a police/criminal background check is completed for all adults living in the home.

It is standard policy that only international students of different language/cultural backgrounds will live with the same host family.

The cost of homestay will vary in accordance with the cost of living in the region.

A Homestay Coordinator will be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week to address any questions or concerns that arise.

For specific details on the homestay options, the agent will have to liaise closely with the school the international student’s family is considering.

A few Canadian public school boards/divisions and more commonly independent or private schools offer international students the option to live in a boarding (dormitory) environment.