Homestay Resources

Under the care and leadership of our homestay managers, Canadian International Services has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise with regard to making the homestay experience meaningful, enjoyable and fun for both our host families and international students. The resources you will find here will take you through the homestay process, starting with how we select host families and what are our important policies.

You can apply to be a homestay via our online form. When you are accepted as a host family, we encourage you to use the tips and suggestions you will find in “guidelines for writing a welcome letter” and the Homestay Handbook.

Once your student has arrived and the program is underway, we will update a daily calendar that will give you all the pertinent details for your student’s activities, including drop off and pick up locations, special excursions or instructions, and RSVPs for the closing party.

Our Favourite Testimonial

“Takahiro was our first student from Japan. He was a better bowler than all of us, he was pretty tall and fast. He got me a Baystar hat and their mascot. He was very good at fishing for his first time, he caught 4, Yoshinori caught 6, I caught 10, and my dad caught 1, I also caught a frog about an inch long. I miss Takahiro and Yoshinori a lot.”
– Kristian, age 10

"It seems the key to an enjoyable experience is being warm and friendly. We take a grocery shopping trip with them to choose what they like to eat and show that we are interested in listening to them.  It is fun learning about their country’s history and the way they live, and even finding their home on Google Maps."

Al and Lorraine Tutti
Homestay Family

 

"In addition to enjoying the students we continue to host because this program is well run due to good communication, attention to detail and organization.  The whole experience has been a pleasure.”

The Fundytus Family
Homestay Family

 

"Our first student Chikara, who stayed with us in 2009, was quite unique in keeping a correspondence going with us 2-3 times a year. In 2015 he requested a return visit, and came on his own to our home to celebrate his 21st birthday with us. This was so special and rewarding to us."

Al and Lorraine Tutti
Homestay Family

 

"It has been a great experience hosting Japanese students in our home for the past three summers. We've had the privilege of learning their culture through their examples and photos from home. The highlights were eating unique Japanese pizza, showing them the beauties of the Niagara area, and visiting Ridley College to see the talent show they created during their stay."

Mike and Melissa Nieciecki
Homestay 
Family 

“My host family was very kind and fun. I would like to visit them again!”

Student

 

“We have been a host family for the past eight years and have enjoyed each and every student.  They are wonderful house guests.  Our own boys are grown now but we found this to be an educational and enriching experience for them and ourselves also.”

The Fundytus Family
Homestay Family

 

"With our participation in this program we have made international friends with the students and their families, and hope to someday see them all again. Every child leaves with an invitation to return at any time in the future to visit alone or with families, we keep in contact with most of them."

Alan and Marianna Northeast
Homestay Family

 

“We have been a host family for the past eight years and have enjoyed each and every student.  They are wonderful house guests.  Our own boys are grown now but we found this to be an educational and enriching experience for them and ourselves also.”

The Fundytus Family
Homestay Family

 

"Family outings were eagerly enjoyed with our adult children and our grandchildren, such as picnics with outdoor games, swimming and beach time, and even one of our granddaughter’s soccer games."

Al and Lorraine Tutti
Homestay Family