{"id":35947,"date":"2016-03-01T08:53:49","date_gmt":"2016-03-01T08:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.international-student-office.org\/?p=35947"},"modified":"2016-07-26T12:43:06","modified_gmt":"2016-07-26T12:43:06","slug":"homestay-the-application-process-and-formal-information","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.international-student-office.org\/en\/blog\/homestay-the-application-process-and-formal-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Homestay \u2013 the application process and formal information – Semester abroad Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

Homestay \u2013 the application process and formal information<\/h1>\n

Report by Elena D.<\/h3>\n

A large amount of time passes between applying for homestay until you first meet your host family. In order to join the homestay program, you have to apply at VIU by filling out a homestay profile. \"report#9The form is found on the VIU homepage (https:\/\/www2.viu.ca\/homestay\/Process.asp). There you fill out formal information about your arrival and your address, but also personal preferences such as food, activities you enjoy, and the amount of time you want to spend with your host family. This application form, the letter of agreement, your arrival information (time and if you arrive by plane or ferry) and the homestay fee must be sent at least 6 weeks before you arrive in Canada. The first payment includes a refundable deposit of $780, one placement fee of $200, and two normal homestay fees for the first two months, $780 each.<\/p>\n

Finding a matching host family<\/h2>\n

Once the homestay office has received the required information and fees, they will start to find a matching host family. If you provide them with extra and detailed information, for example, things that are important for you or known predispositions i.e. homesickness, this is helpful for the matching process. Especially important information to provide at the beginning is food you like and the way it is prepared; these are the most common reasons for changing host families. They will try to find a host family that matches as many criteria as possible. I, for example, said I play softball and I\u2019d like to be in a really loving family. Fortunately, I was matched with an amazing family with 3 daughters and lived 5 minutes away from a softball field.
\n\"report#9Once the homestay office finds a good match, they send you an email to confirm the match. Although, they won\u2019t give you any details or contact information until two weeks before your arrival which is extremely thrilling. Two weeks before you arrive in Canada they send you the information about your host family, as well as a \u201cmatch letter.\u201d This includes the fee schedule (payments) and, just for the student, a Moving Notification form. Students must give 30 days notice before they move out; this is a standard policy. Then you can, and should, contact your family to get to know them a bit better.<\/p>\n

Your hosts will pick you up at the ferry terminal or at the Nanaimo airport on your day of arrival. I found this really helpful because you don\u2019t have to be concerned about how to get to your new place. The first days will be very exciting for you. Not only are you in a new country and a new situation but you are in a new family to observe and you discover your place. Your new family should help you with new experiences, such as getting a bus pass or showing you the town. I have to admit, even though I was matched to the most wonderful family, it took some time until I got used to their family life and their eating habits.<\/p>\n

Rights and duties<\/h2>\n

Homestay is a great experience but there are rights and duties \"report#9to living with a foreign family. You should always follow the homestay rules from the handbook (https:\/\/www2.viu.ca\/homestay\/Handbook.asp) and the application form. You should always be very respectful towards your family by showing them common courtesies. One such common courtesy is to give them notice when you are staying out late. However, your hosts are not your parents, so it is always your choice how much time you spend at home and how much time you spend outside of the home. If you choose to go to a party, for example, as long as you are respectful and follow their family rules (e.g. telling if you bring a friend, or asking if you can have food in your room) hurt feelings or consequences can be avoided. Also, it always must be your choice how much time you want to spend with your family and what kind of family activities you want to join. I, for instance, spent a lot of time with my Canadian family, but we agreed that I needed my own space as well. As a result, no one would disturb me when I was in my room. If any problems occur, you should always try and talk to your family first. Next step would be to speak to the people from the homestay office. They are really helpful and will find a solution for you.<\/p>\n

You can\u2019t completely define what your homestay-time will be like and how much you will want to experience their family life. Just be open, polite, and respectful and you will experience an amazing time with your family.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Homestay \u2013 the application process and formal information Report by Elena D. A large amount of time passes between applying for homestay until you first meet your host family. In order to join the homestay program, you have to apply at VIU by filling out a homestay profile. The form is found on the VIU […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":35968,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[79,91,246,64],"tags":[101,104,83,81,95,93,94],"class_list":["post-35947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en","category-semester-abroad-canada","category-study-abroad-canada-student-stories","category-study-abroad-canada","tag-accommodation-canada-en","tag-english-en","tag-money-en","tag-student-stories-en","tag-study-abroad-en","tag-vancouver-island-en","tag-viu-en"],"yoast_head":"\nHomestay \u2013 the application process and formal information - Semester abroad Canada - International Student Office<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Study abroad student Elena D. writes about Homestay \u2013 the applying process 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