Since 2018, Harmony Homestay has welcomed international students to study in Thunder Bay and matched them with homestay families, which provides a unique opportunity for families to connect with other cultures and supplement their income from their home.
They are currently looking for host families for their short term summer program and the long term fall program. Host families can apply on the website: Host Families - Harmony Homestay
“My parents hosted international students when I was a child and I had such great memories of having students stay with us, where I got to try new food and learn about different cultures,” founder Amanda Carrasco said.
A homestay family provides a safe and welcoming home for an international student to live while studying abroad. The homestay student stays with the host family to learn a new language, experience a new culture, and gain life-long experiences.
Opening your home to a homestay student is an unforgettable, rewarding experience for all members of the family. As a host, you play such an important, life-changing role in the lives of the students, and the relationships you build extend far beyond their stay in Canada.
Some of the benefits that come from being a host family include:
- Exposing your family to cultures and traditions from all over the world
- Sharing your family’s culture and traditions with others
- Playing a part in a life-changing experience that will leave a mark on a young student’s life
- Making new memories that will last a lifetime
- Earning a monthly financial compensation for hosting a student
The requirements for being a host family are:
- Providing accommodations, three meals per day, and a welcome home environment
- English must be the only language spoken around a student
- A Criminal Record checks for all adults in the home
- Unlimited wireless internet connection
- Appropriate care and supervision of a student (this varies depending on the type of program)
Homestay students ages range from high school to university and have come from Europe, Latin America and Asia, with the majority of students as of late arriving from Italy, Germany, Spain and Mexico.
More information on becoming a host family can be found on Harmony Homestay’s website.
