GPI Homestay Program Global Partners Institute Is a

GPI Homestay Program

Global Partners Institute � Is a Canadian Non-profit agency. � Offers study abroad programs for international students in cities across Canada. Head office: 330 -2850 Shaughnessy St. Port Coquitlam, BC V 3 C 6 K 5 2

Director Michael Polan mike@gpicanada. com 604 -836 -4558 3

Homestay Director and Japanese Counselor Aki Mc. Nichols aki@gpicanada. com 604 -897 -2359 4

GPI Regional Managers Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Neil Hosler Jeannette Eddolls Tanis Wood neil@gpicanada. com jeannette@gpicanada. com tanis@gpicanada. com 5

Homestay Program We look for homestays who… § welcome another family’s child into their home § treat the international student just like their own children, § make students feel that they are a member of the family (not a visitor), § respect students from different countries and cultures. 6

Criminal Record Checks (CRC’s) As these students are minors in your care, our program has strict guidelines for vetting host families. • Criminal Record Checks (CRC) are required for all members of household who are 18 yrs old and over. § Criminal Record Checks are updated every 3 years. § Failure to update your CRC upon request will result in the removal of your student. 7

House Insurance When Minor Damage is caused by your student: § Consult with Regional Manager § Get a quote from a company § GPI will send the quote to the natural parents § After approval, the fee will be paid by natural parents When Major damage is caused by your student: § These situations are dealt with case by case § Follow the procedure for minor damage caused. § Check with your home insurance company § GPI will send the quote to the natural parents and insurance provider § Discussions will take place through GPI, your insurance provider, the natural parents and the student’s insurance provider prior to a payout. NOTE: § Wear and tear will not be covered § Inform your home insurance company you are hosting international student(s) 8

Matching process of a student with a host family § § GPI sends a suggested match (your profile) to the partner agent. The agent will share your profile with the student and the natural parents. After approval, GPI sends the student profile by email to you the host family When your student contacts you by email, please email him/her back. 9

Student’s Room • • Must be a private room Must have at least one legal window which is connected to the exterior of the home Must have a door, and curtains or blinds on the windows Must have bed with linens, blanket and pillows Must have a desk and chair for doing homework Must have easy access to the bathroom (private or shared) Must meet fire code regulations. 10

Student Arrival Day § § § Your Program Coordinator will let you know when your student will be arriving and where to meet. Be prepared for the possibility of delayed arrival flights. We recommend that you check the flight status on line on the day of arrival. It is the host family’s responsibility to arrange airport pick up and drop off. 11

Hosting Guidelines Responsibilities of the Host Family § § § § Welcome your student into your home as a new family member. Supply your student with 3 healthy meals a day and between meal snacks such as fruit, cheese & crackers. Provide your students with reasonable use of your home and facilities as a member of the family. Provide appropriate supervision and discipline. Ensure your student’s safety. Know who they are with, where they are and how they are getting from one place to another. Provide your student with a house key. Include your student in family activities. 13

Student Responsibilities § § § Students should have similar responsibilities as those of the family’s own children of similar age. Students are to follow all house rules such as behavioural expectations, curfews, and attendance at meals. Students should keep their bedrooms clean and tidy. 14

School Attendance: Full Day Absences § § Host parents must inform the school office to excuse their student’s absence for both illness and time away on holidays. Time away for holidays must be approved by the Regional Manager. 15

Late Arrival at School § Students are to follow school protocol. § Accepted reasons for an excused late arrival include attending a Doctor’s appointment and illness. § Oversleeping is NOT an ACCEPTBLE reason. 16

Early Departure from School § § § Students must follow school protocol when it is necessary for them to leave the school early Host parents can give permission for their student to leave early for special circumstances. No student will be allowed to leave without the above criteria being met. 17

Homestay Honorarium § § Host families will be provided an honorarium to support expenses incurred by hosting The homestay honorarium will be provided by direct deposit The homestay honorarium starts on the night of your student's arrival. It will be prorated based on a per night stay basis in the event that you host for part of a month. If extra expenses are incurred, they will be paid out with the following month’s direct payment. 18

Relationships § Do not co-sign a cell phone contract § Do ask your student to purchase pre-paid SIM card § Do not lend or borrow money § Babysitting is not allowed § Physical contact, as in hugging, from adult males in the home to female students is highly discouraged. § There is no need to cover entertainment expenses. Not sure? Contact your Program Coordinator 19

Internet Usage All international students need internet access. It is a good idea to discuss with your student: § How to use the service in your home, § How long they may be on it, § Which times they may be on line. Some students also use their cell phones for internet access for social media purposes. Make sure the internet usage does not affect your student’s sleep or attendance at school. You may cut off internet connection at night if needed. You may also require your student to place their electronic devices in a public area of your home by a set time each night Talk to your student about band width/size of files which may have additional costs for you. 20

Curfew As with your own child, it is expected that you discuss curfew with your student. As a Host Family you are always responsible for your student’s safety. § Set a reasonable curfew so that you can assure his or her safety. § Students cannot be on public transportation after 10 pm. § Please be prepared to pick up your student on special occasions. 21

Meals § § § § Host families are responsible to provide for three meals a day. This includes when you are away from the home as a family. Students can prepare their own breakfast and pack their school lunches. Students will initially need guidance to cook for themselves. Some students like to cook for their host family on occasion. Aim to have one family meals most days of the week. When you are not able to be home for an evening meal leave a prepared meal for your student. Food for between meal snacks should be available such as fruit, and cheese and crackers. Alcohol is never to be offered to the student. 22

Cultural Differences § § § § § In the Japanese language there is no gender (she/he) Canadian meal portions are generally much larger than what your student will be accustomed to. Your student may not be accustomed to doing housework, chores. They may need some guidance. Some students have difficulty with direct instruction. Males in the host home should refrain from physical contact with female students. Idioms, sarcasm and jokes are not the same across cultures. Be sensitive to how you express light hearted comments. Bathroom useage (how to use the shower and toilet / length of stay in washroom / amount of water useage should all be reviewed with your student. Saving face is crucial in Japanese society. In crowded situations the Japanese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy 23

Sleepover Guidelines § § § Students are not to have sleepovers on school nights. Always confirm where your student will be staying including address, phone number, friend’s name and friend’s parents names. Students must be supervised by someone 25 years old or older, when overnighting. If you cannot confirm all the information above, students are not allowed to go for a sleepover. 24

Homestay Vacation and Travel § § § If you have accepted a student, please try not to plan a family vacation during their stay without including them in your plans. When your student travels with you, s/he can pay for their own airfare and admission fees for planned activities. They are not to pay for MEALS, ACCOMODATION or FUEL. Students scheduled for September entry may arrive a few weeks earlier. Students must be in the care of a responsible adult 25 years old or older when on a vacation or on an organized trip. A temporary home may be arranged by GPI 25

Travelling with other than Host family § § A travel form needs to be submitted and approval must be received prior to departure. Plan ahead for these trips. Students cannot go on trips without adult supervision. Student's can travel with friends’ of the host family Student’s can travel on trip(s) organized by their school and or community teams. 26

Travel Approval Form A Travel Approval Form is needed when: § You are not traveling with your host parents § You will incur a cost § There is a risk in activities planned such as skiing. Travel Notification Form A Travel Notification Form is needed when: § You are traveling with your host parents § You will not incur a cost § There is not a risk in activities planned. 27

Temporary Homestay § § When host parents are absent from home, they are required to make proper arrangements to ensure that a responsible adult (needs to be a Canadian citizen, or permanent resident who is 25 years old or older) is left in charge to perform the supervision provided by the host parents. These arrangements must be given to the Program Coordinator or the Regional Manager. A criminal record check is needed for the adults in the temporary homestay. An alternative for a temporary arrangement is to arrange a sleepover with student’s friend. NEVER leave your student alone at home overnight. 28

Changing Homestays § § § Some placements are simply not a good match for the student or the host family; and we therefore have to make a change for the student. You will be expected to return the unused portion of the homestay honorarium if needed. GPI cannot give a month’s notice. A move from a host home can take place in a matter of days or hours. (The homestay honorarium is not rent. ) The student’s natural parents decide where their child will live. Although sometimes it is difficult, don’t take the move of your student from your home personally. The Regional Manager’s decision is final. 29

Changes in Home Environment It is EXTREMELY important to advise the Program Coordinator of any changes in your home including: • Contact information (home #, cell#, work#, email) • Working status • New people living with you or moving out - this includes other international students. • Addition or loss of pets • Relocating to a new home. • Beginning a large renovation 30

Medical Insurance § § § Your student will have coverage by a private insurance company The coverage that your student will have is broader than what than typical provincial coverage has (teeth, eyes…) You can assist your student in making an on line claim or they can submit all of their receipts when they return to their home country. 31

Student Travel Outside Canada IMPORTANT: The Student: § Must have a valid passport § Must have a USA entry visa (ESTA form can be submitted on line) § Must have travel / medical insurance § Submit the required Travel Approval form § Must have approval from natural parents prior to leaving Canada. 32

Enjoy your time with your student!