Requirements of Homestay Parents

 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a homestay parent with the Kootenay Lake School District.  Our homestay families are the heros of this program and we would really like to have you become a part of our homestay team.  The homestay program is an intercultural skill building experience of the highest order as cultures and caring are shared and relationships built.  We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure a positive homestay experience for each visiting student and for each local homestay.

 

To this end, we require, during the application process, that:

 

• As a part of the application process, each adult member of a homestay family submit a criminal record check for volunteer/employment which includes the vulnerable sector section,
• Every adult member of a homestay family attend an orientation program provided by the homestay contractor each and every year,
• All family members be present during the homestay contractor’s inspection of the home and be in agreement regarding the family commitment to host an international student.

 

Homestay settings must offer students:

 

• a clean, safe and well organized living environment,
• a private bedroom (with a window), which includes a comfortable bed, study table, dresser, closet and lamp,
• Internet access (Wi-Fi very useful).

 

Homestay parents must offer students:

 

• three substantial meals a day, 2 nutritious snacks, and beverages, 
• help with reasonable transportation requests,
• airport pick up upon arrival into the academic program and drop off at departure (this does not include vacations),
• opportunities to be treated as a family member and participate in family activities,
• support for student desire to take part in cultural, athletic and other community activities,
• the guidance and support reasonable to expect of adults who are assuming the responsibility for the care of a young person who is far from their own family, friends and culture
• social/emotional support through the stages of homesickness and cultural adaptation

 

Before you begin:

We recommend that you collect the following pictures prior to applying. They must be submitted as single documents in PDF or JPEG files only and less than 5 MB each.

 

Required pictures

• Family
• Outside home
• Student’s room
• Common Living Area
• Kitchen

 

Additional pictures if applicable:

 

If you have pets, please include a picture of the pet in the family photo and if you have room for a second student, include a picture of the 2^nd student’s room.