Homestay Program

NISEP programs available to International students

Imagine how much faster a student can learn English while immersed in the language and culture, staying with a family that has been carefully selected by our staff.

Our Homestay Program offers students an opportunity to live with a Canadian family and learn more about Canadians while improving their ability to use the English language. By sharing life with local families, the student has a first-hand experience of Canadian culture and opportunities to converse in English in a family atmosphere. Through homestay, students will have a better understanding of Canadian culture and customs and will become familiar with everyday use of the English language. When placed in families with children, NISEP students often find themselves forming close relationships with their homestay siblings. These bonds often enhance their learning experience through extended social interaction and common interests, an added bonus for all!

What’s Included

Homestay students, when placed in a home, are provided with a furnished room (a bed, bed linen, dresser, desk, and towels). Students will have full use of the household, such as telephone, television, living room and kitchen. Families will include their student in their day-to-day activities as well as cultural activities of interest to the student and the family. Students are provided with three daily meals, including a packed lunch on school days.

Homestay Coordinators

An experienced homestay coordinator will monitor students throughout their stay and provide support to both students and host families.

Host Families

Host families are chosen for their interest in international students and their willingness to include students in daily family life. Not only are they willing to help students experience the Canadian culture, but they are also interested in learning about the culture of the student’s home country.

Homestay coordinators visit host families, study the student profiles, and take great care to match students with families who have mutual interests. Host families are carefully selected with students’ safety and comfort in mind. All homestay families must submit an extensive application to the Homestay Coordinator and are interviewed in their homes before they are accepted as hosts.