Advice for Homestay Students

In many ways, you are likely to find that life in a Canadian home really isn’t that different to what you’re used to at home. Host families provide more than just room and board; they become friends and guides in a new culture.

Welcome to homestay

Like everywhere, people have children, jobs, hobbies, sports, relatives, and all that goes along with those things. Cultural customs may seem superficially different but again, you will no doubt come to agree that people no matter where they live truly are a part of one global family. What you will observe in homestay is the very essence of regular Canadian life.

In this guide, we have distilled our many years of experience to help you, the new homestay visitor, get the absolute most out of your experience. One thing we have learned is that the homestay guests who put the most back into their host family relationship are the ones who get the greatest enjoyment. Your host family is eager to learn about you and your country, but don’t forget they are also immersed in full lives. Make the effort to show your interest and you will be rewarded.

A successful experience is rewarding for both students and families. Good luck with your studies and enjoy your time in Canada!

Culture shock

Culture shock is a well-documented condition known to travellers encountering new situations. No one thinks they will experience it, but almost everyone eventually does. It is a normal phase of learning to live in a new culture. Because it can cause frustration, here are the classic stages:

1. Incubation. The new arrival feels euphoric and is pleased by all the new things encountered. This is called the “honeymoon” stage, as everything is new and exciting.
2. Challenges. A person may encounter some difficult times and crises in daily life. For example, communication difficulties may occur such as not being understood. There may be feelings of discontent, impatience, anger, sadness, and feeling incompetence. This happens when a person is trying to adapt to a new culture that is very different from the culture of origin.
3. New understanding. A new feeling of pleasure and sense of humour may be experienced as one starts to feel a certain psychological balance. The new arrival may not feel as lost and starts to have a feeling of direction, is more familiar with the environment and wants to belong. This initiates an evaluation of the old ways versus those of the new.
4. Balance. The person realizes that the new culture has good and bad things to offer. This integration is accompanied by a more solid feeling of belonging.
5. Re-entry shock. This occurs on returning to the country of origin. One may find that things are no longer the same. Perhaps this is partly why it is said that travel broadens the mind.

Many factors contribute to the duration and effects of culture shock: personality, previous experiences, socio-economic conditions, familiarity with the language, family and social support systems, and level of education.

Dealing with culture shock

Be constructive.
Don’t try too hard.
Include a regular form of physical activity in your routine.
Pay attention to relationships with your host family and your new friends at school. They are your support network.
Find ways to live with the things that don’t satisfy you 100%.
Maintain confidence in yourself.

Living with your host family

Though you are paying for your room and board, remember that the household in which you are living is neither a hotel nor your own apartment; it is a private home. Your hosts will treat you as a new family member, so you will need to discuss the rules of the house as soon as you move in.

Be open and communicate

Don’t be shy! The most important thing to remember is to talk to your host family and ask questions if you aren’t sure about something. Sometimes you may not understand each other the first time. Don’t be embarrassed to keep asking until your host family understands your question and you understand their answer (and vice versa). Your host family will be pleased to help you in any way they can.

Take part in family life

Talk to your family about your daily life. They can be very useful in helping you to “decode” any cultural mysteries that you encounter. Although host families have full and often busy lives, they genuinely do want to help you out.

During your homestay, you will likely be invited to take part in family activities. If for some reason you cannot participate in an event to which you were invited, tell your hosts in advance, and thank them for including you. At all times be considerate of their plans and try to join them whenever possible. Remember — homestay is not a hotel! Active participation in your hosts’ activities will enrich your experience.

Keep an active life

Your studies may be very demanding and so you may require a lot of study time at home. Your family understands this. They will, however, also be concerned about your welfare if you spend too much time in your room or don’t seem to be enjoying yourself — especially if it is nice weather outside. Vancouver folk are an outdoorsy bunch, and you may seem very strange indeed if you choose not to enjoy that aspect of life in the city. Plan your weekend activities in advance and keep a healthy balance between work and play.

Planning to travel?

If you are going away for the weekend or are not coming home overnight, you must tell your host family. Otherwise, they will worry about you just as your own family might in that situation.

Changing your plans

If you are planning to move or leave your host family, you must tell them at least four weeks before the day you are planning to move.

Meals

Your homestay includes three meals per day if you have chosen the Full Board option and two meals (breakfast and dinner) per day if you have chosen the Half Board option.

Learn your host family’s meal routine and be on time for meals. If you are not going to be home for dinner or don’t need a lunch that day, tell your host family.

Ask your host for foods you like and also try to be open to new tastes. Students sometimes like to cook a special meal in their own country’s style, and homestays are often happy to provide the ingredients for such an occasion. Talk about it well in advance. It’s also a great way to show appreciation to your hosts.

It is not a good idea to place personal food items, even a soft drink, in the refrigerator or cupboard without asking permission first. If you are on Full Board, your host family is expected to meet all of your food requirements, so they may think that you are not getting enough to eat or do not like their cooking. If you are on Half Board and wish to make your own packed lunch in the kitchen, make sure this meets with your hosts’ approval.

Around the house

Hot water

Unlike in some countries, Canadian homes have their own hot water heaters which are not designed to provide unlimited hot water at one time. If you take very long showers, you will use up all the hot water in the house and there will be none left for anyone else. Ask your host family about the best time to take a shower or wash your clothes.

Helping out

You are responsible for keeping your own bedroom neat and tidy, so remember to make your bed. The bathroom, particularly if it is shared, should be left as you found it. Your host family may also appreciate your help with small household jobs such as clearing the dishes from the table after a meal.

Make sure that you know how the kitchen works — what goes down the drain and/or garbage disposal, what is thrown out and what is recycled. Learn where the utensils and dishes are kept, and always clean up after yourself!

Laundry

Ask how to take care of your dirty laundry and how to operate the washer and dryer. North American appliances are often of a very different design than you are used to.

Security

When you go out, remember to lock the door behind you. Your host family will provide you with a key to the house. If there is a security alarm, they will show you how to use it.

Your room

Your host family is required to provide all the basic furnishings in your room: a bed (including linen), a desk, a chair and a lamp for reading. Vancouver Family Homestays makes it clear to families that they are responsible for your comfort. As with any house there are inevitable minor things, such as light bulbs and bathroom fixtures, that occasionally need attention. Don’t hesitate to mention these things to your hosts. They will be happy you alerted them.

Phones and internet

Telephone

Before using the home telephone, especially for long-distance calls, ask for permission. The telephone must be shared by everyone who lives there, so if you talk for too long, you may cause inconvenience to your host family. For long-distance calling, most students find it convenient to buy a prepaid telephone card. Generally, it’s a good idea to make sure you understand the “ground rules” for any household matters, and the telephone is no different.

Internet

Your host will give you the password for their WiFi network so you can connect your devices, and let you know if there are any bandwidth restrictions.

Mobile phones

Please do not use your mobile device while dining with your host family, as that is considered rude in Canada.

Getting around

Public transit

Your host family will be happy to show you how the transit system works. Fare and schedule information is available at www.translink.ca.

Use your time on the bus to improve your listening and reading skills. Remember why you have chosen to live in a homestay: to improve your English skills and learn about dealing with people from different cultures.

Driving

If you plan to drive, be sure that you have a valid driver’s licence from your own country or an international driver’s licence. For insurance reasons, it can be very difficult to rent a car if you are under the age of 25.

Smoking

Few places in the world have quit smoking the way Canada has. And within Canada, there are few places that are more smoke-free than Vancouver, known for its health-minded citizens. So if you are a smoker, you will have to be careful not to give offence.

In most homestays you will not be allowed to smoke inside the house. Some families will allow you to step outside to smoke. Please be respectful in disposing of your cigarette butts.

Remember that “no smoking” means absolutely no smoking inside! If you answered on your homestay application that you are a non-smoker, your hosts will expect you not to smoke in or near the house.