Can your family take in an international student?
The New Westminster school district is looking for families who would be willing to offer homestays for students in its international education program.
The students will be attending New Westminster Secondary School, coming to New West from a variety of locations around the world. Most are from Germany, Italy or Japan, with others from elsewhere in Europe, Asia, and Central and South America.
The School District 40 international education needs families who would be able to take in students for a couple of different programs:
- a two-week program for Japanese high school students from July 23 to Aug. 6
- New Westminster Secondary School international students who would start in September 2023. Most will be enrolled for the full school year, with a smaller group needing a five-month stay.
What you need to do to host a homestay student in New West
In a letter to district families, SD40 outlined what a homestay family needs to be able to provide:
- a private bedroom, with a desk, chair, lamp and a window;
- three meals a day, plus snacks;
- Internet access to support both schoolwork and connections to home countries and families;
- the ability to support a young person as they make a big transition, alone;
- an English-speaking home environment; and
- invitations for students to join in family activities or hobbies.
Homestay families receive a monthly fee for hosting a student, and the district’s international education team is available to support both students and families.
“Being a homestay family is not the right fit for every household. But for those ready to welcome new young people to experience all that this country and community have to offer, it can provide lasting friendships and opportunities to see the world in a new way,” the district’s letter says.
You can find out more about being a host family at the New Westminster international education program website.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
