Multicultural　family

House Rules

YOUR ROLE as an INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
Your Homestay provides the greatest opportunities for learning the English language. It is also the ideal
setting for learning new skills and experiencing Canadian life. Your host will welcome you into their
home as a member of their family. This means that you will be treated informally, not like a “guest”.
Just like a member of the family, you will be expected to keep your bedroom clean and tidy, and clean up
after yourself in the kitchen and around the house.
Your Homestay experience will depend al lot on your own attitude and friendliness. How can you really
enjoy living in Canada? By coming with an “open mind”. Be ready to accept the ways in which Canada
and the people you will meet here are different and unique- in the very same way you would like people
to appreciate you.
The first few weeks of living in a new country with a new family may seem difficult sometimes. You may
feel homesick, or frustrated with your new environment and the language. This is natural. Give yourself
time to adjust to your new surroundings.

HOME
You can expect your homestay family to give you:
1. A safe, secure and comfortable home. (Please ask your homestay family to explain fire drill
procedures.)
2. A private bedroom, with:
a) a window
b) bed and sheets, blankets, pillow, dresser or other drawers, desk, chair, lamp, closet
c) adequate heat, light and ventilation
3. Access to bathroom and bathing facilities.
4. Access to laundry facilities and procedures/routines.
5. Meals as requested on your chosen meal plan.
6. A key to the house and instructions on how to use a security system, if the family has one.
Please respect your host family’s home

BATHROOM USE
You should ask your family about using the bathroom. For example, it is important to know
when you can shower or bathe and for how long. Your family may even ask that you limit
your use of perfumed toiletries while in the home.
It is not necessary for you to wait until your host parents have showered before taking your shower, but
you should be sure to leave enough hot water for everybody. When taking a shower, close the doors; or
if there is a shower curtain, place the curtain inside the tub to prevent the bathroom floor from getting
wet. As a courtesy, please try to leave the bathroom clean and dry after you use it.
It is ok to put toilet paper in the toilet and flush it. Please do not put anything else in the toilet.

MEALS
Every student likes different foods. Please tell your host what you like to eat,
especially if you have particular food needs. Your host prefers to know what you like
and what you don’t like! They want you to enjoy your meals. Please tell us if you
are not happy, or if you want us to speak to the host for you. We cannot help you if you don't tell us
about any problems.
The main meal in Canada is dinner (in the evening) , which the host will prepare for you. Ask the host
what time dinner will be ready. Please try to be home for dinner on time. If you do not plan to be home
for dinner, you must tell your host in the morning so no one will worry about you and your food won't be
wasted. Also, you should tell your host if you will be late for dinner. If you will be late, the host will save
something that you can heat up if necessary. If you would like to invite a friend for dinner, please ask
your host for permission first. Dinner time is conversation time.
Most students are asked to prepare their own breakfast. Your family will show you which foods you can
use for breakfast.
If you are on the lunch program the family will show you which foods you can use to prepare your own
lunch. Lunch is usually sandwiches, with juice, fruit and cookies. Or, you may prefer to have soup or a
salad. If you are not on the lunch program, your lunch is your own responsibility.
If your host happens to be away for a meal, food will be available for you to eat, or to make yourself.

LAUNDRY
Please ask your host at the beginning of your stay to work out a laundry schedule and
where to keep dirty laundry.
The host may ask you to do your own laundry. If so, then they will show you how to use the machines.
You will be required to wash your own bed linens once a week. You may ask your family for assistance.
Please make sure that you fill up the machine, do not wash only a few items items every day or so.

sure that you fill up the machine, do not wash only a few items items every day or so.

OVERNIGHT GUESTS
No overnight guests are allowed at your house, unless your host invites them. If you
wish to have a guest, then you must ask for permission. The guest could be asked to
pay the host.

TELEPHONES
Please use a calling card or prepaid phone card for all long distance calls made from your
homestay. Please be considerate: do not receive calls late at night or very early in the
morning unless it is an emergency.
Your host family will let you use the house phone for local calls. Please keep your calls short; other family
members will also want to use the phone. Please do not take calls during the dinner hour or after 10:00
at night. If you need to speak to your family at night because of the time zone difference, please make
outgoing calls only.

COMPUTERS and INTERNET ACCESS
Students should not expect to use their host family’s computer. If you need to use a
computer, there are many places where you can go to use one, such as your school, local
public library and Internet cafes.
If you have brought your own laptop computer, you may be able to have internet access at your
Homestay. If you have requested this service on your Homestay application, your host will give you an
Internet connection in your bedroom or a wireless connection. Students should not expect to use this
service unless they have requested it and paid the fee.

MONEY AND VALUABLES
International students from carrying or displaying large amounts of cash
and monies. For security purposes, all students should open a bank account. Please be
assured that the use of bank accounts and bank cards is common practice by Canadians
and is the safest way to protect your money.
It is your responsibility to obtain travel insurance to cover loss, theft or damage of your
personal belongings. If you purchase anything in Canada, please ensure that your policy
will cover your new valuables.
Do not lend money to or borrow money from other students or family members.

THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING COSTS:
- any household items that you damage, break or lose, including anything that you borrow from
the host family.
- extra snacks
- all your own personal toiletries: shampoo, bath soap, and toothpaste

TRAVEL
Students over the age of 18 (19 in British Columbia) are encouraged to explore and
experience Canadian culture through travel during their stay here. However, this travel
should not interfere with academic studies and, generally speaking, should be limited to
designated school holiday periods. Host family assumes no responsibility for students on such travel.

SMOKING
You must be 19 years old to legally buy cigarettes in Ontario and BC. Smoking by any
adult student inside their homestay residence is strictly prohibited, without the permission
of their host.

ALCOHOL AND ILLICIT DRUGS
The legal age for drinking alcohol in most areas of Canada is 19 years.
If you drink alcohol underage, drink to excess if you are over 19, use or distribute illicit
drugs and/or use false identification, you will be expelled from the hostfamily.

HEALTH CARE
1. All students should have health insurance.
2. Payment for any medical services not covered by the insurance company is the
responsibility of the student.

CHANGING FAMILIES?
Your homestay experience is an important part of your stay in Canada. It gives you the
opportunity to become a member of a Canadian family.
If you are having difficulty adjusting to your host family, try to communicate your
problems and concerns to them. Most problems and misunderstandings can be resolved in this way.
Please respect the hospitality of your host family.

Thank you.

Smoking Rules

Your host is a non-smoker.

Smoking is not allowed.