House a UPEI international student with the Homestay program
Each year, hundreds of international students come to UPEI. Currently approximately 750 students, or 18% of the student population, are international students. These students enrich the learning experience for all UPEI students, widen the horizons of domestic students, and increase cross-cultural exchange.
For many international students, adjusting to a new culture can be difficult, and knowing that you have an entire family to help with the transition is reassuring, especially for those who have never been away from home before. That’s where Homestay comes in.
Homestay is a program that allows students to rent rooms from local families. But Homestay is much more than room and board. Ideally, Homestay includes the new student becoming part of the host family as a visiting family member. They go on outings together, help the student practice their English-language skills, and provide a safe and welcoming home base for their international guest.
“I participated the Homestay program when I first arrived as a student six years ago, and I stayed with the same homestay family for two years,” said Freya Qi, who now works as a student recruiter and international student advisor at UPEI. “They picked me up from the airport on my first day in Canada and welcomed me with open arms and smiles. We would have supper together every evening, and we would have dinner conversation together. They would ask me about my classes, my day, and other things—just like what your parents would ask you at home too. Even after I moved out from their house, we are still friends. I was so lucky to stay with them and spent two years together.
Richelle Greathouse, UPEI’s new Homestay co-ordinator, understands why the program is also attractive to many parents. A mother of a teenager herself, she acknowledges that sending your child halfway around the world can be stressful. Knowing that your child will be living in a home that has been inspected can help parents feel a bit more relaxed about this time of transition. “I know that if it was my son travelling to China, I would feel so much better if I knew that the university had helped arrange a suitable place for him to live,” she said.
While many Homestay families have a high level of interaction with their student guests, that is not always the case. “Sometimes we also have mature graduate students coming to UPEI,” said Greathouse. “They have busy schedules, and the idea of having someone else at home to help prepare your meals, can be really appealing. That is the great thing about Homestay, there are lots of variations, and we can help match students and hosts with similar preferences.”
For more information about the application process, remuneration, and host home requirements, please contact Richelle Greathouse at rgreathouse@upei.ca, 902-894-2850. Former hosts interested in continuing with the program are also asked to contact Greathouse. Students and potential hosts can also drop by the International Relations Office in the Robertson Library, room 226.
