Homestay Policies

Homestay Responsibilities 

Host families will provide students with the following:

• A friendly and comfortable environment conducive to learning English
• Breakfast and dinner daily on weekdays and three meals on weekends (students will be provided with lunch at school on weekdays unless otherwise stated)
• A furnished bedroom, including a desk and a window with ample natural light, that meets the specified fire code standards
• Daily conversation in English
• Inclusion in daily family activities and outings

Important Policies

• There must be no other students who are not family members living in the home during the program dates.
• Only English is to be spoken in the presence of the student at all times, in the home and at any social gatherings outside the home when the student is present. The homestay program is a true English immersion program.
• No student may be left alone in the home; a responsible adult presence in the home is required at all times.
• Students may not visit the USA. If visiting Niagara Falls, please use caution to ensure your student does not inadvertently enter the USA across the Rainbow Bridge.
• While weekend and evening activities with students staying with other homestay families are encouraged (see Connect with Other Homestay Families to share ideas), students may not sleep over at another homestay’s house. Students must return to their own homestay family’s home each evening.
• If you are taking your student outside the Niagara Region (for instance, to Toronto), please inform the Homestay Manager in advance.

Referrals

We welcome referrals of great new homestay families! To say thank you, a referral fee is awarded for a successful placement. “Successful placement” means the student stays in the homestay for the entire program duration. If the student must be moved from the homestay family, the referral fee is not awarded.

Payment

Homestays are given a payment covering room and board.  Payment will take place during the program; see the homestay calendar for dates. The preferred method of payment is electronic funds transfer via email/online banking.

If a student must be moved during the program, partial payment (for room and board and for driving, as applicable) will be made based on the student’s length of stay.

Transportation

Homestays are also given a transportation allowance for driving their student to and from school each day. If you are not able to drive your student, contact Mary for car-pooling options. Payment will take place at the end of the program; see the homestay calendar for dates. Homestays who drive more than one student will receive additional compensation. Please be on time for morning drop off and afternoon pick up.

Any changes in the transportation schedule should be reported to Mary. If your student is riding with a different family any time to or from school, written notice should be given to the student to be handed in to his/her teacher in advance.

It is very important to be on time for morning drop off and afternoon pick up. If you are running late for any reason, please contact the Homestay Manager immediately via phone/text message.

Homestay Handbook

A Homestay Handbook has been created as a guide for new homestay families. It provides insights into Japanese culture and direction on specific cultural aspects in order to make the best possible homestay experience for everyone.