What Can I Expect from Being a Homestay Family?

There are many benefits to becoming a homestay family for Atlantic Canada Language Academy.  Here is some useful information to consider before filling out an application:

• Thank you for your interest in becoming a homestay family for Atlantic Canada Language Academy.  Hosting International students gives families a wonderful opportunity to share their home and daily life with an individual from another part of the world.  Host families get to show of Nova Scotia’s famous hospitality and make life-long friendships. Through hosting, families learn about the world and its peoples while gaining a new perspective of their own culture as they see our province through the eyes of their student.  Not only does a host family receive a generous allowance to offset expenses but, they also ensure their local economy benefits from the booming international education industry.  We want all of our students to have an authentic Canadian experience during their time in Nova Scotia.  The following information is here to answer some basic questions you may have before signing up to become a homestay family.
• It is always the intention of Atlantic Canada Language Academy to match your family to a student with similar preferences to your own. ACLA receives a student profile prior to a student’s arrival which gives us, and you as the homestay family, an overview of the students interests, likes, and personality.  Conversely, we collect information about your family’s interests, likes, and household.  This information is used to help match students with host families.  Please keep in mind, that it is never an exact match, and we ask host families to be open-minded and flexible regarding the students they receive.  If there is an overt difference between the student’s and host family’s preferences, all parties will be consulted before a student is placed in your household.
• It is your responsibility as a host family, to clearly communicate household rules, duties, and expectations to your student.  We give every family a Homestay Contract which is an agreement signed between you and your student.  There are prompts in this document you can use as a guideline to start the conversation about how your student is expected to behave while living in your house.  Remember, it is your household and your family.  You are the one who sets the tone for what behaviors are expected in your home.  Addressing house rules as soon as the student arrives ensures a smooth transition for both the host family and the student upon the student’s arrival.
• Most of the students we receive at Atlantic Canada Language Academy are above the age of majority in this country.  Older students tend to be more independent, require less supervision, and are able to look after themselves.  But please keep in mind, they are in a new country (often for the first time) and English is not their first language.  Therefore, extra care should be taken to include them in your family’s activities when possible. Minor students are below the age of majority in Canada.  While these students might require more supervision, they are usually enthusiastic and full of energy.  They are eager to learn and they do learn quickly.  There are some special considerations for students under the age of majority that are detailed in the Home Stay Code of Conduct, which you will receive as part of the homestay application process.
• The duration of a student’s stay depends solely on how long they have registered to take classes at Atlantic Canada Language Academy.  This can range from 2 weeks to 2 months, to a full year.  Having students for shorter stays means meeting a new person every few weeks and can increase the cultural diversity within your household.  Hosting students for longer stays really allows the host family and student to develop a close bond and friendship.  Both long and short stays have their merits, and it is ultimately up to you as the host family to decide if you want a faster turnaround or a long-term, stable commitment.
• Host families are compensated for a student’s room and board at a rate of $240.00 per week.  This fee also includes transportation of the student to and from the school and events by the host family, if the host family is outside of the 2 km. walking distance to the school.  If a host family is unable or unwilling to transport the student, a Atlantic Canada Language Academy staff member can provide transportation.  However, this will reduce the weekly fee.