Application to Become a Host Family for Hallmark Homestay

HALLMARK HOMESTAY AGENCY Guidelines for Host Families

The Family’s Obligations

It is agreed that the host family will welcome the international guest into their home and treat that person as “one of the family”. All members of the family will respect the student’s privacy and culture.

The student will be invited to join the family for family activities and outings and will advise the student beforehand if there is a cost involved. Whenever possible, the student will be encouraged to practice their English language skills by participating in household conversations. It is preferred that at any given time in the home, there will be only one student with any specific “first language”. Only English is to be spoken in front of the student at all times.

The family will allow the student to have realistic access to the family’s living areas and in-home recreational equipment – with perhaps some time restriction imposed. At no time, will the family lend or borrow money or personal property to/from the student.

Accommodations

We ask that the host family provide their guest with a comfortable, well ventilated room containing a bed, clean bedding with adequate blankets in cold weather, bath towel, clothes closet, storage space, study desk and chair and a reading lamp. The room must be ready prior to the student’s arrival. Please provide clean sheets and a fresh bath towel each week. The student is required to keep their room clean and tidy and we ask that the room be vacuumed & dusted weekly. Respect the student’s privacy by always asking permission to enter his or her room if they are home.

There is to be a separate, private room for each student unless previously arranged with the student and the school.

The student will be given three adequate and nutritious meals a day including:

- Breakfast - a variety of cereal & fruit; eggs and toast; or pancakes/waffles; tea/coffee or juice. - a packed lunch consisting of 1 or 2 sandwiches with meat, chicken, salmon, tuna or cheese; fruit, juice and a snack consisting of a muffin, granola bar, cookies or a tub of yogurt or pudding. Some students might prefer to microwave rice, noodles, or leftovers from the previous evening meal. You might also include a small salad or cup of soup package. (Studying is “hard work”, the students are often still growing and as the school day is long, they can sometimes get very hungry.) - a wholesome (“sit down”) evening meal to be shared with the host family. (If the student is not home at the appointed time for the evening meal, do not wait, but please keep the student’s portion covered in the fridge for them to warm up in the microwave when they return home. - We encourage host families to treat students as they would their own children. If they would like a glass of milk or juice, or perhaps a light snack outside of mealtimes, please be reasonable.

When the student arrives at your house:

All rules of the household are to be explained in detail, including: · usual meal time · the time the student may use the shower or bath (and approximate duration) · when the student can use the laundry facilities (you will need to show them how everything works) · if and when they are permitted to use the kitchen facilities, computer and/or TV, when they may use the telephone to make long distance calls (using their calling card) and the length of time allowed for each call. (Note: Students being met at the airport will receive a phone card from us as part of their welcome package. Except in unusual circumstances, we strongly urge that students must use “Skype” or phone cards for their own long distance charges.) · Where outside smoking is permitted (if indeed it is at all) · the locking of doors & windows (this is most important ! ) · Curfew time (if appropriate) and a guideline for privacy and quiet times Page 1 of 2

On the student’s arrival you must supply them with an emergency phone number to call for the host mother or father and in turn ask the student for an emergency number for themselves.

Give them a house key. Write down the family’s address and phone number for the student to put in his/her wallet. Draw them a map of the neighbourhood and explain north and south. Take them to buy a transit pass and phone card and most importantly, show them how to get to and from their school. You should physically take them on a “dry” run. Even then, on the first day of school, they may get confused and miss their stop.

Pets: Even if they like animals, many students are not used to having them in their home. When a student first arrives at your home, you may need to keep your pets locked away and gradually introduce them to your student once the student feels comfortable in your home.

Arrival & Departure: The student will be met at the airport and delivered to your home (unless otherwise arranged). It is the student’s responsibility to get themselves to the airport on their departure day. Students normally arrive at the homestay on the Saturday or Sunday prior to the start of school. This is the day used to calculate the homestay fee. They normally depart on the Saturday or Sunday following their graduation. Any extra days are paid at $ 25.00 and will be paid by the student directly to the host mother.

Miscellaneous

Hallmark Homestay endeavours to match students and families as closely as possible. We are under no obligation to place students with any specific family and offer no guarantee for an ongoing supply of students.

Most students and host families are happy with each other, however from time to time, things don’t work. If, after the first few days, either the student or family is genuinely uncomfortable, Hallmark Homestay will relocate the student. After that, if the student (or family) wishes to make a change, two weeks’ notice is required. During the first week or so, your student will likely experience “culture shock” and “separation anxiety” at being away from their family and familiar surroundings. We ask that you respect their feelings and be patient during this time. Encourage the student to take part in your family activities, perhaps even helping with light duties such as cleaning up after dinner. Encourage your student to invite a friend from their class to visit your home (with your permission, of course). Engage your student in conversation even if their English language skills are limited.

Per four-week period, the homestay remuneration is set at $750 for full board (room and three meals); room-stay only is $500. Cheques will be mailed to the family 5-6 days after the student’s arrival. Guardianship of under age students: The agency will provide the host family with a form to be completed and Notarized prior to the student’s arrival. The initial period for homestay is often listed as four weeks, however, if the student is happy, and their course is longer than four weeks, they will usually ask to extend. Hallmark Homestay would appreciate being advised of the student’s extension or termination of stay.

Students are not required or expected to do housework or babysitting. They should however keep their rooms clean and tidy and be encouraged to contribute to the household in some small way (setting or clearing the dinner table etc.). Students are asked to advise their host families at least 2 hours in advance if they will be late or not home for dinner.

May we suggest that you check off these items as you discuss them with your student on their arrival – to ensure that no points are missed?

We want our international visitors to have a positive experience while in Vancouver. If we feel that a host family is not living up to our expectations in terms of providing for students, we reserve the right to remove the student immediately.

Homestay can be lots of fun and a very rewarding experience. It can also be frustrating. However, many life long friendships have been made between some students and their host families (including a few marriages !) We thank you for your interest in Hallmark Homestay and we wish you “Happy Hosting”.

Hallmark Homestay Agency 2 of 2 Tel: 604-980-3110 fax. 604-929-1913 06/09 Email: [email protected]