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.

"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