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International Programs Homestay

Our homestay program provides students with a safe and well-managed environment within Canadian households. The program is designed to support student well-being, independence, and respectful day-to-day living while studying in the district.

To maintain consistent standards across all homestay placements, the International Programs department applies the following requirements:

All participating homestay families maintain current Police Information Checks (PIC) issued by the Squamish, West Vancouver, or North Vancouver Police Departments. Checks are renewed every three years.
Homestay Coordinators interview and visit each family during the home inspection and conduct follow-up visits as part of ongoing oversight.
Host families are required to complete annual homestay training as made available.
The homestay office maintains regular communication with families, and families are expected to communicate with program staff as needed.
Families have access to International Programs staff emergency contact numbers.
Host families may collect only the approved monthly homestay fees. They are not permitted to charge “extra” fees of their own accord.
All families must meet and maintain established program standards, policies, and expectations.

Through these measures, the program maintains familiarity with participating families and their households. If a family is unable to meet program requirements, additional guidance or training may be provided. In some cases, families may be removed from the program to ensure standards are maintained for all students.

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Basic home requirements to host a student

Hosting a student requires providing a structured, respectful, and supportive living environment that encourages independence and positive daily routines.

Homestay families are expected to meet the following basic requirements:

- A welcoming household that treats the student as a member of the home, while respecting personal boundaries and independence.
- A private bedroom for the student, including a door and window with adequate natural light, a bed, night table, dresser, closet space, and a desk with chair. If a desk is not located in the bedroom, a designated study area must be available elsewhere in the home.
- Access to basic internet service and shared use of common areas of the home, in accordance with household guidelines.
- Provision of standard household items such as pillows, bed linens, towels, toilet paper.
- Three daily meals that support balanced nutrition in accordance with the Canadian Food Guide, along with reasonable access to snacks and beverages.
- Clear, written house rules that are reviewed and discussed with the student.
- A clean, safe, and supervised living environment that supports student well-being.

These requirements help ensure a consistent homestay experience across a wide range of Canadian households while maintaining clear expectations for both students and host families.

If a Homestay change is needed

Students are encouraged to complete the homestay application form as thoroughly and accurately as possible. Detailed information such as interests, preferences, allergies, and other relevant considerations helps support appropriate placement and establish clear expectations from the start.

In some cases, a homestay placement may be challenging due to differences in communication styles, routines, or personalities. When concerns arise, students and host families are expected to inform the homestay team promptly. Many issues can be resolved through open communication and mediation.

If concerns continue after reasonable effort and mediation, and a change is determined to be in the best interest of both parties, the program may offer one alternative homestay placement, subject to availability. Due to the matching process and the resources available, multiple alternative placements cannot be guaranteed.

When a homestay change is approved, host families will be formally notified by the homestay team and provided with a two-week termination notice. In certain circumstances, this notice period may be waived at the discretion of the homestay coordinators. If a student is unable to remain in the home during the notice period, payment in lieu of notice is required.

This process applies equally when a host family requests that a student move. All requests must follow program procedures and involve the homestay coordinators. If mediation is unsuccessful, the required notice period will be communicated and managed by the homestay team.

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