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Homestay Information
| Douglas College will not be offering the Explore program in 2012. |
In General
We ask you to have an open spirit. It goes without saying that your homestay family will be different from your own family; as each person is a unique individual, each family is different and has their own qualities and faults. Your homestay family will understand your difficulties in learning in this new culture, new home, and new language; they will be happy to help you. At the same time, you must try to adapt yourself to the daily routine of the household. Don't expect your homestay family to change their daily life. Please, don't forget that your homestay family's house is a home - not a hotel.
One of the interesting characteristics of Vancouver is the great ethnic and cultural diversity; our homestay families reflect this diversity. We believe that homestay is a unique opportunity to appreciate the riches of our Canadian culture and gives ESL students a chance to improve their English skills by using it on a daily basis, outside of the class setting.
During the program, there may be over a hundred students that will stay with our homestay families. Therefore, it will be necessary that some homestay families will house more than one student. It's possible that two students who have the same first language will live with the same family.
After we have received your completed homestay application, we will try our best to find you a suitable homestay family. Please understand, however, that there are times when all your preferences may not necessarily be met. Also, please bear in mind that the more information that you provide about yourself, on the application form, the better the chances are that we can make a compatible match with a homestay family, although, we can't promise to make a perfect match.
All Explore students are required to stay in homestay throughout the duration of the program.
Home Routines
Respect and pay attention to the rules, to the meal hours, to the sleep times, etc. Be sure to phone your homestay family in advance if you will not be home for a meal. If you are in need of a special diet (e.g. gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, diabetic), be sure to note that on the homestay application and be ready to help with grocery shopping and the preparation of your meals.
Toiletries
You must bring all of the toiletries that you need. This includes items such as hair brushes, shampoo, and a toothbrush. If you require a special brand of soap, please bring that as well.
Laundry
Discuss with your family the routine around laundry.
Bedsheets/Towels
Linens are provided by your homestay family so you don't need to bring sheets or bath towels with you. However, families are not expected to provide beach towels so if you plan on swimming at the beach, please bring your own beach towel with you.
Guests
Before inviting friends to visit you at your homestay family's house, ask your homestay family if it's ok. Sleepovers are not part of the program, so please do not ask your family if it is ok for your friend to stay the night.
Long Distance Phone Calls
You must pay for all of your long-distance calls. You can buy a prepaid phone card at many local stores. You will have free Internet access at the college, so you might plan to contact your friends and family by email.
Transportation
Douglas College's homestay families live not only in New Westminster but also in the neighboring communities of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Delta. Therefore, it is necessary that the students use public transportation (bus and/or SkyTrain) to travel to and from the college. We do our best to ensure the travel time from your homestay family's house to the college is less than 45 minutes. If you will take transit to travel to and from your homestay family's house, we recommend that you buy FareSaver tickets. You will find out on arrival day if you will need to buy one-zone or two-zone tickets. You can find the price on TransLink's web site.
Some students might be able to bike to and from their homestay. Please contact the homestay coordinator if you plan to bring a bike to find out if it is possible from your homestay.
Housing Cost
The bursary covers the cost of room and board from arrival day to departure day. If you arrive in Vancouver before arrival day or you leave after departure day, you will be responsible for your own lodging. If your homestay family has space for you and allows you to stay with them before or after the program, you must pay them $25.00 each day for room and board. Homestay families are not obliged to house students before or after any programs since they may have other plans.
If you need a place to stay before or after the program, see Arriving Before Arrival Day or After 7:00pm on Arrival Day.
Testimonials
Here are a few examples of comments made by homestay students in previous Explore Programs at Douglas College.
"It was an excellent experience! The atmosphere was relax and they were very understanding with me. They respect me and I respect them. I really enjoy to live there because we were really similar and different at the same time. They were really helpful to improve my English. For them, I was always happy, I did the dishes a lot of time, I did my own housework, and I was calling or let a notice when I was late. I did my best to be nice with them. I hope that they will have many other students because they are the best!!!"
Annick L.
"Everything was very good! The atmosphere was like if I was in my real family. I hope that they will continue to have other student. They respect you, you are like at your home and if you want to do something with them, they want, and if you don't want, they will respect you. But you have to do the same thing for them! For my family, I tried to be smiling and happy with them, and talked about Quebec and the way that we live, and I play with the children. I think that I was a good homestay student because they were so nice with me that I didn't have the choice but to be like that with them."
Nathalie T.
"It was my first time to know East Indian people but since the first minute that I met them, I feel comfortable and friendly with them. Their open mind make you feel good and you can't say anything wrong about them. They considered me a lot, they were always interested by what I did and I enjoyed the discussions that we had on a lot of subjects. But the most important things for me was that they have a big sense of humour and I had great times with them! They consider each person and you are a member of the family. For them, at each meal that I took there, I did the dishes , I cleaned the bathroom several times, and I passed the vacuum. I think that I was a good homestay student but you can't be a bad student with this kind of family! I'll miss them!!!"
Martine L.
