How do you build a successful relationship with homestay students? You ask the experts. In this episode, we chat with Jennifer Wilson, the Managing Director of the Canada Homestay Network. As a second-generation leader of the Canada Homestay Network, Jennifer is passionate about creating opportunities for building relationships and believes that homestay offers a unique opportunity for all of us to break down cultural barriers and make the world a smaller place.
In part one of this two-part interview, we learn about this non-profit society, discuss common issues hosts go through, and how the process for matching students with hosts works.
We learned a lot during this conversation and we hope you do too! So grab something to take notes with and maybe a good cuppa tea or coffee and let’s settle in with Jennifer Wilson.
Jennifer Wilson is the Managing Director for the Canada Homestay Network. After retiring from practice as a Registered Midwife in 2005, Jennifer joined the family business. She holds an MBA with a specialization in Leadership and is always looking for new opportunities to learn and grow. As a second-generation leader of CHN, Jennifer is passionate about creating opportunities for building relationships, and believes that homestay offers a unique opportunity for all of us to break down cultural barriers and make the world a smaller place. 
Key Points From This Episode:
- Jennifer tells us how the Canada Homestay Network, a family organization, began.
- How the Canada Homestay Network differs from a homestay coordinator at a school.
- Jennifer speaks about their organizational values and why the Canada Homestay Network is a non-profit society.
- The qualities Jennifer looks for in host families.
- Jennifer touches on some great values and reasons to host.
- We chat about how to support host families.
#pleasecall #askforsupport - Jennifer dishes on some common issues homestay families face.
- Jennifer’s tips to bond with your new student.
- Side note: Jennifer shares her own experience travelling
#comfortfood - Jennifer’s tips for homestay hosts at the beginning.
- We discuss emergency procedures… they are important to go over.
- Curfews, homework help and a social life.
- Managing academic issues when you’re not the parent.
- Jennifer drills down on what it means to be a custodian, guardian, and/or a parent. What are the responsibilities?
#nosurprises - Jennifer reveals some of the reasons why a student may no longer be suitable for homestay.
- What is homestay about?
- Jennifer talks about relocation rates with homestay.
- We talk about the student and host matching process.
- Jennifer shares her perspective on some of the challenges that they face as an organization.
- Jennifer opens up about the variables at play when students need to relocate homestay families.
Links:
The Canada Homestay Network
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