Hosting an international student is an exciting opportunity to create lasting memories and broaden your horizons. It’s more than just opening your home; it’s a chance to welcome a young person from a different culture, share new experiences, and build meaningful connections. While every journey has its challenges, the rewards far outweigh them, and with the right approach, the experience can be enriching for both your family and your student.
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect throughout the journey:
Stage 1: Arrival – The Excitement of the New
The arrival of your international student is an exciting moment filled with anticipation for both you as a host family and the student embarking on this life-changing adventure. After months of planning, the time has finally come! While this phase is exciting, it can also be overwhelming for the student as they adjust to a new family, school system, and unfamiliar surroundings. For most students, this will be their first time living abroad, away from the comfort and security of their home and family.
What to Expect:
- The student may arrive feeling excited but could quickly feel tired from jet lag and stress from adjusting to a new home and navigating an unfamiliar environment.
- As a host, you might feel a mix of excitement and some nervousness about ensuring your student feels at home and welcomed, as well as whether they will be a good fit for your family.
How to Help:
Prepare a Warm Welcome: On the day of their arrival, greet your student with warmth and make it a special moment for them and your family. Make sure their room is clean and welcoming, giving them a space to settle in comfortably. A thoughtful touch like a welcome note or small gift can make a big difference in helping them feel at ease.
Allow Time for Rest: Jet lag can take a toll, so give your student the time and space they need to rest and adjust at their own pace. It’s perfectly normal for them to need extra time before they feel ready to fully engage with your household.
Be Helpful: Help them understand local transportation, assist them in buying a Compass Card, getting a cell phone, and showing them around the neighbourhood to help them feel more at home.
Be Patient and Reassuring: As your student adapts to your home, the language, and your family’s routine, they might seem quiet or confused at first. Offer support and encourage them to take things at their own pace. This patience will help build trust and set the stage for a positive, rewarding experience for both of you.
By showing kindness and understanding in these first days, you’ll help ease their transition and create a welcoming environment where your student feels comfortable, cared for, and ready to embrace this exciting new chapter.
Stage 2: Adjustment – Settling into a New Routine
Once the excitement of arrival and rest wears off, the adjustment phase begins. This is when both the student and host family start to settle into daily life together. It’s a time of learning and growing as everyone adapts to new routines and expectations, and a new sense of normal begins to take shape.
What to Expect:
- The student will be working to regain a sense of independence while adjusting to the customs of a new country, school system, and family environment.
- Your family’s routine might shift slightly as you all learn how to live together in harmony.
- You may both need to adjust initial expectations of the hosting experience and find a balance that works well for everyone.
How to Help:
Communicate Household Routines Clearly: Make sure to explain important details such as meal times, chores, and house rules. Providing a written guide, in line with FC’s recommendations, can be beneficial for the student to reference as needed.
Encourage Open Communication: Let your student know it’s perfectly fine to ask questions and that they don’t have to understand everything right away. This openness will help ease any confusion about family dynamics or cultural differences.
Support Their Independence: Support your student as they begin to build new connections and explore their new surroundings on their own. This not only helps build their confidence but also allows you to return to your regular family routine with ease.
This phase is all about patience, understanding, and growth. With your guidance and support, your student will feel more confident in their new environment, and your family will begin to settle into a smooth routine together.
Stage 3: Culture Adjustment – Navigating Emotions
As the initial excitement wears off and daily life settles in, some students may experience emotional ups and downs during their adjustment. This phase, which can happen a couple of months after arrival, is a natural part of adapting to a new culture and home. While it may feel challenging, it’s an important opportunity for growth, resilience, and learning how to navigate change.
What to Expect:
- Your student may feel homesick or have mood swings, becoming a bit more withdrawn or irritable.
- Physical symptoms like headaches, trouble sleeping, or changes in appetite can arise as they manage stress.
- They might feel pressure from school, the challenge of making new friends, or being away from their home and family.
How to Help:
Keep the Conversation Going: Regularly check in with your student. Ask how they’re feeling and listen with care. Open, non-judgmental conversations help students feel seen and supported.
Encourage Open Dialogue: If your student seems overwhelmed, create space for them to talk about their emotions. Remind them that in Canada, it’s completely normal and encouraged to talk about mental health, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Let them know you’re here for them and that professional support is available if needed.
Reach Out for Extra Support: If you notice the student is having a particularly hard time, don’t hesitate to reach out to the FCI team for guidance. We are here to help both you and your student navigate these emotions.
Be Kind to Yourself Too: As a host family, you may have your own feelings of frustration or doubts. Recognizing these emotions is part of the journey, and with patience and understanding, you and your student will work through this phase together.
By fostering empathy, open communication, and patience, this stage can deepen your bond with your student and strengthen their sense of belonging. Together, you’ll help them develop resilience, making their experience here even more meaningful.
Stage 4: Building a Strong Bond
As the student settles in and the initial challenges ease, the homestay experience can become very enriching for everyone involved. This stage often brings a sense of harmony, where differences that once felt unfamiliar transform into comfortable routines, meaningful connections, and shared learning experiences.
What to Expect:
- Your student is now more at ease in their surroundings, with more stable social connections and growing confidence in their daily life.
- Early misunderstandings or cultural differences have been addressed, creating mutual respect and a deeper appreciation for each other’s backgrounds.
- The bond between your family and the student can strengthen, making the experience smoother and balanced for everyone.
How to Help:
Continue Showing Interest: Ask about their school, friends, sports, and how they’re keeping in touch with their family back home. Invite them to share more stories about their culture and traditions.
Make Them Feel Like Family: Even if your student has created a good social network of friends here, keep involving them in everyday family life, whether it’s helping with chores, joining family outings, or celebrating special events together. Treat them as a valued part of the household, not just a guest.
This stage provides the opportunity to deepen your connection and create lasting memories.
Stage 5: Departure – Celebrating Memories and New Beginnings
As the homestay experience comes to an end and departure time approaches, this moment can bring mixed emotions for both the student and the family. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the journey you’ve shared over the past months and aim to conclude it on a harmonious note.
What to Expect:
- The student may feel anxious about returning home. While they’ll likely be excited to reunite with family and friends, they might also experience a sense of disconnection, realizing how much they’ve grown and changed through their experiences abroad.
- Families often feel a mix of emotions as well; happy to conclude this chapter of family life, yet sensing a loss when saying goodbye to someone who has become part of their family and daily routine.
- As the end of their stay approaches, students often want to make the most of every minute. They may focus on spending time with friends and enjoying the late spring and early summer, sometimes leading to a busy schedule.
How to Help:
Friendly Reminders: Gently remind your student about the importance of respecting curfew and house rules to ensure they keep a routine, even if they’re busy trying to make the most of their remaining time.
Celebrate the Journey Together: Reflect on the memories you’ve created and the personal growth that has occurred during the hosting experience. Consider hosting a small farewell gathering to celebrate your time together, perhaps sharing favourite rite meals or activities that symbolize your shared experiences.
Keep Communication Open: Let the student know that your support doesn’t end with their departure. Encourage them to stay in touch and explore the possibility of future visits. This ongoing connection reinforces that they will always have a family in Canada.
As the student prepares to return home, both they and your family will carry valuable lessons and experiences from this journey.
Final Thoughts
Hosting an international student is a wonderful journey filled with growth, joy, and rewarding experiences. By understanding the different stages of the homestay process, you can navigate this adventure with ease and confidence. Each phase brings unique opportunities for connection and learning, making the experience enriching for everyone involved.
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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.
Founded by the husband and wife duo, Beth Mercer and Collin Mercer, FCI prides itself in providing students the opportunity to develop their own independence and discover themselves while discovering Canada.
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]