It’s up to you whether you expect your homestay to be just a place to eat and sleep or whether you want it to be part of your English education, part of your cultural experience, and the start of a meaningful friendship for life. If the latter is what you want, here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Spend some time conversing with your host parents every day (even if it is hard at first when you don’t speak much English).
- Set conversation topics with them so that you can learn about life in Canada.
- Tell them about your country and your life there. Share photos and stories with them.
- Help out with chores in the home. Ask what you can do to help so that you become part of the family and not just a guest.
- Go with them to the things that they do (try their church, their clubs, visits to their family friends).
- Ask them to help you with your English. Invite them to teach you a new word every day.
- Teach them some of your language too so the learning goes both ways.
- Ask them questions about festivals, special holidays and family traditions. Tell them about yours.
- Ask questions about things you don’t understand. Find out why they do things the way they do.
- Share your feelings. Tell them if you are lonely or homesick. Ask them to help you.
- Be honest. Say when there are problems and work with them to solve the problems. Solving difficult situations together makes for a stronger relationship.