Homestay Kitchen News

Episode 47: What Effects the Coronavirus COVID-19 Has On Homestay

Helllllloooooo! Long time no chat! We were scheduled to come back in early March and then the pandemic struck. Now we are all physically distancing and staying at home, so the Homestay Kitchen had to re-work our podcasting schedule to fit our new routine. In the meantime, we thought we’d check in with you. How are you doing?

(more…)

Episode 44: Dealing with Homesickness

At one point or another, whether you as the host knows it or not, your student will get homesick. Sometimes it’ll show through their emotions or difference in actions. Or sometimes, it only happens when they are hidden away in their rooms, when the lights are out trying to fall asleep. When do you intervene and what do you do to alleviate homesickness?

(more…)

Episode 32: Impact and Benefits for Your Kids

Homestay families can be any structure you can think of. Older couples with room in their home, singles, parents with or without kids; as long as you have a spare room and are welcoming to people into your home, you can host! However, if you have kids, hosting students can really be a way to include teachable moments for your own children.

(more…)

Episode 24: Financial Reality of Hosting Homestay Students

Okay let’s get real. One of the top or main reasons families participate in a homestay program is so that they can make some money or at least they think they can. Heck, it’s why we both started looking into the opportunity for our own families. However, over time it becomes more than that.

(more…)

Episode 20: Top 5 Reasons to Host an International Student

In this episode, we share our top 5 reasons for hosting an international student. There are so many points, but these 5 things are the core of what we do and love. They encompass our own personal values and how those desires play a significant role in our everyday lives.

(more…)

Episode 12: Reflection on Relationships, New Beginnings, Health and Soul-Satisfying Decisions

It’s the end of 2018… and like everyone else, Erin and Mary reflect on new beginnings, growth, health, and some soul-satisfying decisions that were made in the past year. We also awaken our appreciation for our relationships… to our family, each other, and of course, our students. We get tuned-in on how these partnerships are ever-expanding our lives for the better. So thank you. Thank you for listening, subscribing to the show, and hopefully laughing along with us. We’ve got some ideas for next year already, but remember, if you have any show ideas, questions or stories to share, email us at [email protected]. That’s also a great way to connect if you want to be on the show! We’d love to have you! So Happy New Year to you, whether you are a homestay parent or student! Here’s to an adventurous, fearless, and nurturing 2019!

(more…)

Episode 8: Building Your Network of People in the World with Veteran Host Parent Mel Kilpatrick

In this episode, we chat with our dear friend Mel Kilpatrick. Mel was one of Mary’s first inspirations to become a homestay parent. We scratch the surface on some of the amazing stories with her past students and explore how these experiences enhance our network of people in the world… not just for us as hosts, but for the students as well. These experiences are what makes your household grow and learn from each other to extend our connection to the world.
(more…)

Coming Soon is the Homestay Kitchen!

Join us, Mary Chan and Erin Eastman Paulson, as we serve up stories of being a homestay family – the ups and downs of making a connection with international homestay students. We’ll bring a plateful of stories, ideas, interviews and hopefully dish up some anecdotes to share with our community.