Introduction
Thank you for choosing to stay with a homestay family while studying in the Intensive English Program. The following guidelines are to help you adjust to your new living arrangement with a Canadian homestay family. Living with a Canadian family can be a great learning experience from a language and cultural perspective. Please take your time to read everything carefully.
Please be advised that the homestay fee, which covers room and board (3 meals a day), is included in your program fees and is paid directly to the homestay family by the University of Manitoba.
Canadian Homestay Families
In the University of Manitoba Intensive English Program there are many different types of families who host international students: there are married couples with children, married couples without children, single parents (one parent with children), elderly couples and single people of all ages. Canada is well-known for being a multi-cultural society. As a result some of our homestay families come from a variety of cultural backgrounds such as Filipino, French, German, South American, etc. Their level of English is very good because they have been living in Canada for many years. Even though there are many different types of families, each family has something special to offer an international student.
The types of home also vary from family to family. Some families live in large homes, while other families live in small homes. We also have some families who live in apartments or condominium suites. Most of the homes are located near a major bus route, about 30-40 minutes from campus. You might have to take one or two buses to get to campus. You will also be required to purchase a bus pass. The cost of a bus pass per month is $66.25. You can purchase a bus pass at many local grocery or convenience stores. You can also purchase your bus pass on campus at the Answers Booth in University Centre.
Some families have pets in the home. In Canada, it is quite common for families to have dogs or cats in the home; the animals are treated as a part of the family. Some families allow smoking in the home. However, there are some families who do not allow smoking in the home because they have small children or allergies; students who smoke will have to go outside. If you are placed in a home where there is no smoking in the home and you smoke in the home, you will be asked to leave the home immediately. If you are a smoker or if you are allergic to animals, please write it in your student homestay application.
Pre-Arrival
Before you arrive in Winnipeg, you will receive information about your homestay family through an e-mail or a fax. Based on your Student Homestay Application, we will do our best to place you with a suitable homestay family. Your homestay family’s name, address, phone number and
e-mail will be provided. Please feel free to contact your homestay family once you receive the information; they are waiting to hear from you. Do not be afraid to contact them. They are looking forward to meeting you and helping you with your English.
Arrival
Please contact our office and your homestay family with your arrival information (arrival date, time and flight), so that someone can meet you at the airport when you arrive. If you do not provide your arrival information, we cannot ensure that someone will be at the airport to pick you up.
At this point it is not necessary to give your homestay family a gift; wait till you get home to give a gift. Your smile is the only gift your homestay family hopes to receive.
In The Home
Once you arrive in the home, you will probably be introduced to other members of the family and be shown your room. All homestay students’ rooms should have a bed, dresser, closet or storage space, desk, chair and lamp.
Your homestay family may briefly give you a tour of the home: the bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living room and basement. If you are too tired to have a tour of the home, please do not hesitate to tell the homestay family. They will understand because they know you have had a long flight and must be tired.
Room
Your room is your responsibility. Your homestay family will respect your privacy.
It is your responsibility to keep your room clean. If you bring food into your room, please do not leave the dishes in your room. Please bring the dishes to the kitchen so that they can be washed. Also, please empty your trash can every week, so that your room does not begin to smell.
Keys And Homestay Family’s Address
You will be given a key to your homestay family’s house. Please take very good care of the key. If you lose the key it is your responsibility to replace it.
Also, please make sure you always have your homestay family’s address and phone number with you. Never leave the house without your house key and homestay family’s address and phone number.
Telephone
If you are planning to make long distance or overseas calls from the home, please purchase an International Phone Card. You can purchase these cards at any grocery or convenience store and at the University of Manitoba. Do not place long distance or oversea calls on your homestay families phone line, unless you have their permission to do so. Also, you may want to place a personal phone line in your bedroom at your own expense. Please ask the homestay family for permission before doing so.
Due to time differences, you may be receiving the majority of your phone calls in the early morning or late evening. Please ask friends and family to call you at a reasonable hour (Winnipeg time), so as not to disturb your homestay family’s sleep.
Computers
Some of our homestay families have computers with Internet access.; If you do not have a computer, there are 24‐hour computer labs on the University of Manitoba campus that you can use.
Bathing And Showering
Please remember that you might be sharing a bathroom with other members of your homestay family and to limit your shower or bath time to 10 minutes daily. You are responsible for the cost of your own personal care items (tooth brush, tooth paste, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant etc).
Meals
Your family is responsible for providing you with three meals a day: breakfast (e.g. cereal or toast, juice or milk and fruit), lunch (e.g. a sandwich or leftover dinner, a drink, fruit and a snack) and dinner (e.g. spaghetti and salad, or chicken, potatoes and vegetables). Please discuss with your homestay family who will prepare the meals. Your homestay family will routinely prepare dinner for you, however you may have to prepare your own breakfast and lunch. The amount of money we give homestay family is not to be used on junk food (i.e. potato chips, chocolate bars, etc.); the money given to the homestay family is to provide you with healthy meals (fruits, vegetables, meats, bread and dairy products).
Please go grocery shopping with your homestay family, so you can get the kinds of foods you like.
Many homestay families have rules regarding meals that they would like students to follow while they are in their home. For example, if dinner is from 5:30 – 6:30
p.m. and you are not coming home for dinner, you must let your homestay family know.
Please try to eat meals with your homestay family. Dinnertime is the only meal many families have together, so do not miss it. It will give you an excellent opportunity to practice your English and get to know the family.
If you wish to cook for yourself or treat your homestay family to food from your home country, please ask the homestay family for permission to cook and use their cooking supplies.
Laundry Facilities And Other Appliances
While in homestay, you may be required to wash your own clothes and bed sheets. Please ask the homestay family how to use the washing machine and dryer.
If you do not know how to use an appliance in the home, for example the microwave or stove, please ask your homestay family to show you. Appliances in Canada may not be
the same as in your home country.
Money
While in Winnipeg, we recommend that you open a bank account. Please do not keep large amounts of money in your homestay family’s house. It is safer to keep your money in a bank. The bank will give you an interact/debit card, so you can withdraw money from an automated teller machine (ATM). We recommend you open an account with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) because this bank has several ATMs on the University of Manitoba campus.
Lost Or Stolen Property
The University of Manitoba is not responsible for any lost or stolen property that may occur in or out of the home. You are responsible for your own belongings. Do not keep valuables and large amounts of money in the home.
Program Activities And Family Activities
During the course of your stay in the Intensive English Program, you will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities ranging from football games to visits to the art gallery. We strongly encourage you to invite your homestay family to participate in these events with you. These activities are at a minimal or no additional cost to you or to your homestay family.
As well, your homestay family may organize family activities that they would like you to participate in. We strongly encourage you to participate in these family activities as they will give you the opportunity to practice your English with a variety of Canadians.
Cultural And Language Barrier
Communication with your homestay family is very important. In the beginning you may experience cultural shock; however, please remember to keep an open‐mind and to communicate with your homestay family the difficulties you are experiencing. If you feel you cannot express what you want to say in a conversation, please write down what you want to say and show the letter to your homestay family. You may also want to bring a dictionary so that you can check unfamiliar words.