Become a Homestay Family
Help us provide a safe and enriching cultural opportunity for international students studying in Halifax.
The host family plays a unique and vital role in the international student experience. While providing a safe environment for students to live in, host families often help to bridge the cultural gap that students experience.
Traditional families, non-traditional families, single people, roommates and friends living together – any person or group who is willing to share daily life with an international student can be a host!
A great homestay provides students with comfortable living conditions and friendly, patient and open-minded hosts. It can be overwhelming for a student to be so far away from home. A thoughtful host family appreciates that each student is unique and that communication and mutual understanding take effort.
We welcome hosts from all backgrounds, family types, professions & and ages.
Things to consider about being a host family:
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Do you have time for a student? Students appreciate different levels of socializing with their host families; some enjoy small talk, and others will want to participate in family outings. There may be times that your student asks you for advice or help about their life in Canada and Canadian culture.
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Are you open to hosting a student who cannot speak English? Are you willing to be patient when communicating with your students?
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Is everyone in your household ready to accept someone from a different background? If you have children, are they comfortable with bringing another person into the family?
As a host, you will provide:
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A private bedroom, furnished with a bed and storage.
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Nutritious meals. Host families must provide students with 3 meals per day.
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A home environment that a student can feel comfortable in, study and relax after a day at school.
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A patient, caring and friendly home atmosphere.
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A 100% English environment for your student to increase their language skills.
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WiFi internet is mandatory at all times in the home.
Homestay homes should be within reasonable walking distance of public transit.
HLIC must conduct criminal record checks and vulnerable sector checks for all adults living in the home prior to homestay approval. A home inspection will also be conducted prior to students being placed in the home.
Host Support
Once you are approved as a host family, HLIC is here to help you. If at any time you have questions or concerns regarding your student or homestay details, we welcome calls or emails & will work with you to make the experience memorable for both you and your student.