Welcoming an international student into your home is a rewarding experience that also comes with the important responsibility of helping them adapt to a new and independent way of life. For many students, this is their first time living away from home and navigating the challenges of independence. At FCI, we understand that this transition can be both exciting and overwhelming for students.
To support them in this journey, we have developed a variety of resources, including a detailed student handbook, easy-to-follow infographics, and an engaging and comprehensive in-person orientation session. Additionally, each student is paired with a dedicated Custodian Representative (CR) who provides one-on-one support and consistent guidance throughout their time here.
As a host family, you play a crucial role in supporting students during this adjustment period. Your conversations with them about safety, responsibility, and program expectations add a personal and meaningful touch, helping ensure these messages truly resonate. Together, your guidance and FCI’s resources create a strong support system that empowers students to thrive and stay safe during their study abroad experience.
1. Help Students Navigate Vancouver’s Urban Environment Safely and Confidently
For many students, living in Vancouver may be their first experience in a big city, as many come from smaller towns. While the city offers wonderful opportunities to explore, the challenges of navigating busy urban environments and dealing with wet weather during the fall and winter require extra caution:
- Winter Challenges: Early sunsets and frequent rain, make visibility more difficult.
- Busy Streets: Vancouver’s intersections can be complex, with heavy rush-hour traffic. Pedestrians must stay alert and mindful of their surroundings.
- Dimly Lit Areas: In some neighbourhoods, street lighting may be inadequate. Reflective clothing or lights can be critical for visibility.
Tips:
Encourage them to:
- Avoid distractions: Remind them to put away their phones and skip headphones while walking in the street.
- Follow traffic rules: Emphasize using crosswalks, obeying pedestrian signals, and looking both ways, even at marked crosswalks.
- Stay visible: Suggest carrying a small light or wearing reflective items during darker months to ensure drivers can see them.
- Encourage safety tools: Reflective clothing, umbrellas, and waterproof shoes can make a big difference.
- Share local insights: Let your student know about safe walking routes, areas to avoid, and tips for navigating public transit during peak hours.
- Travel with friends: Encourage students to walk with friends when possible, especially at night, and to stick to well-lit areas
Discuss these unique features with your student(s) to help them feel confident navigating the city safely. These conversations are crucial for building their awareness of potential challenges and empowering them to make smart, responsible decisions. By practicing these habits, students can reduce the risk of accidents and explore the city with greater confidence. Mentioning that incidents have occurred in the past, while having these discussions, can further enhance their awareness and preparedness.
2. Help Your Student Understand the Importance of Following Rules and Expectations
The FCI and school district program rules are designed to keep students safe and ensure a positive experience for both students and host families. As a host family, you play a crucial role in helping students understand these expectations and the consequences of not adhering to them.
- Zero tolerance for risky behaviour: Explain that prohibited activities like drinking, smoking, or using drugs, not only jeopardize their health but will result in immediate expulsion from the program.
- Immediate consequences: Highlight that unlike at home, they do not have opportunities to amend mistakes.
- Cultural differences: Help them understand that adapting to new norms and expectations is part of their learning experience.
Your guidance can help prevent students from making mistakes that could jeopardize their safety or their participation in the program. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is for them to understand that these rules are non-negotiable.
3. Building Independence While Staying Responsible
Adjusting to life in a new city, school and home involves learning independence, and for many students, it’s their first time living away from the supervision of their parents. This makes it even more important for them to make responsible choices as they meet friends, engage in activities, and navigate their new environment.
- Trust Their Instincts: Encourage students to stay alert and recognize potentially risky situations. If they feel uncomfortable or unsafe, they should leave immediately and seek help if needed.
- Resist Peer Pressure: Remind students that making choices under pressure from peers can sometimes lead to negative outcomes. Empower them to set boundaries and make decisions that align with their values and safety.
- Make Thoughtful Decisions: Encourage students to pause and think about the consequences of their actions, particularly in social settings.
- Respect the Household: Living with a host family requires adjusting to and respecting household rules and routines. Encourage students to communicate openly and be considerate.
By building independence while staying responsible, students can enjoy a fulfilling experience in their new surroundings.
Count on the FCI Team for Support
At FCI, we are fully committed to sharing important information with students both before and after their arrival, using our resources and in-person interactions during orientation and meetings with their CRs. Hearing this information reinforced by their host families provides an additional layer of support, making the message even more impactful. The FCI team is here to assist you every step of the way. If you have any questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Open communication ensures that both you and your student feel supported, confident, and well-prepared for a positive and enriching experience.
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First Choice International Placement Inc. is a North Vancouver based company that works with local school districts to provide homestay opportunities for international students from across the globe.
FCI recruits, locals families to host the students and supports both the students and the families to provide the best experience for all involved.
For more information:
Diana Salcedo
Communications Specialist
First Choice International Placement Inc,
p: (778) 836-0908
e: [email protected]