Host a Student

Becoming a Homestay Family

Host an international visa student studying in a York Region school who wishes to improve his/her English skills and experience Canadian culture.

Are you interested in an enriching experience? By hosting an international visa student you will:

• Learn about other countries and cultures
• Learn about your own environment through a visitor’s eyes
• Form  new friendships
• Foster respect for our global community
• Make a positive difference in the life of a child, and your own family
• Be compensated $900 per month to cover the cost of hosting a student in your home

Can you provide?

• Caring, comfortable accommodation for a student
• A private bedroom (preferably upstairs), three healthy meals per day plus snacks (it is recommended that Canada’s Food Guide be followed to ensure that nutritious and well-balanced meals are provided)
• Easy access to a public school in York Region by walking or public transit
• Access to internet (it is recommended that host families increase their internet package to “unlimited” to avoid over-use charges)
• An English speaking environment

Homestay family applicants will be pre-screened, interviewed and homes will be visited. A Police Vulnerable Sector Screening (PVSS) is required for every member of the household who is over 18 years of age (at the expense of the applicant immediately upon being approved by Homestay Services, and yearly, thereafter). Only families who maintain their PVSS yearly will be considered for hosting.

Homestay families are needed in the following YRDSB school communities:

Alexander Mackenzie HS	Bur Oak SS	Dr. GW Williams SS	Dr. JM Denison SS	Huron Heights SS
King City SS	Langstaff SS	Maple HS	Markham DHS	Middlefield CI
Milliken Mills HS	Richmond Green SS	Sir William Mulock SS	Stouffville SS	Thornhill SS
Thornlea SS	Vaughan SS	Woodbridge CI

For information, contact homestay@yrdsb.edu.on.ca

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Family Testimonials

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We joined this homestay program since September 2008. We're glad that we're able to help these student by welcoming them to our home and giving them a good family. We're here to help and guide them. We know that they are away from their families and they are new to this country, so we try to do our best to have them feel at home. So far,we've been so lucky to have good students in our home and they respect us and listen to our advices. And I also appreciate the dedication of the YRDSB coordinators , for making time to visit them every month and make sure the students are with good families and well taken care of. ~ Norma DeVera

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How can I best describe my experience this year having Jing Wei Chen, an international student from China, living with me? The best way is to describe Lorraine (her chosen Western name) is: active, bouncy, curious, dedicated, enthusiastic, funny, gregarious, helpful, interested and interesting, joyful, kind, lovely, mentor to other students, natural, open, questioning, resolute, super-duper, thoughtful, understanding, victorious, willing, xtremely social, youthful, zealous. Because of Lorraine’s qualities my life has been enriched. Her joi de vivre has brought laughter, joy and warmth to my home. I am honoured that the Homestay Program has chosen me to be part of their program. I am grateful for this amazing life experience. ~ Rhea L. Bottler

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