Homestay Program

Host families provide a warm and welcoming environment, where students are integrated into the family events and activities. The homestay environment also provides an excellent opportunity for developing English language skills and participating in Canadian culture.

We know that the host family your child will live with is the most important part of their time in Canada and that is why at HPE, we continue to manage our own homestay program. The ISP Manager and Coordinator personally review all host family applications, interview prospective host families and visit their homes in person before accepting families as part of our Program.

The ISP team matches students with host families with similar personalities and lifestyles, as much as possible. We are in frequent communication with our host families to ensure any issues or concerns from either the student or hosts are addressed in a fair and timely manner. The ISP strongly believes in a positive cross-cultural experience for both students and host families. The ISP provides on-going communication and support for our valued host families. 

               

 

 Interested in Becoming a Homestay Family?

Host families provide a warm, welcoming and safe environment, where students are integrated into the family's daily life, by taking part in routines and activities.

We welcome all family structures to apply to be a host family.

 Benefits to being a host family:

• Generous reimbursement (non-taxable)
• Consistent and on-going support from the ISP Team
• Broaden your global perspective while sharing your own culture and traditions
• Create lifelong friendships
  

Expectations of a host family:

• Provide a welcoming, caring home environment
• To act as the student's parent, but not legally responsible for them
• Include the student in family activities and events
• Provide a reasonable number of drives for the student
• Provide groceries for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Students are responsible to make their own breakfast and lunch daily.)
• Provide annual vulnerable sector checks

Once a family decides they want to be an HPE host family, an application must be completed and submitted for review and approval. This process includes: references checks, an in-home interview and an orientation session. All accepted host families must provide a criminal background/vulnerable sector check.