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...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 11: Sharing Holiday and Christmas Traditions with Students Who Study Abroad
In this episode, we reveal our Christmas past, present and future with our international students. Mary shares her non-Christmas household, but reveals the little things she likes to do for the holidays. While Erin knows something will come together at the last minute for her family’s Christmas dinner. Listen for tips on what to do...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 10: Diversity, Discrimination, and Balancing Canadian and Japanese Studies with Yoko
In this episode, we chat with Yoko, a Japanese student living with Erin. We examine some serious topics such as diversity and discrimination that she faces here in Canada and how it can be beneficial back home in Japan. We also touch on how she was able to participate in WE Day, a celebration of...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 9: Board Games, Video Games and All the Things to Interact with Your Student
In this episode, we get into some of our favourite games to play with our students. It’s getting to that time of the year here in Canada where the nights are cold and long. Time to bundle up and play board games, video games, and #allthethings to keep one occupied when the family is over...
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...
Episode 7: Advocating For and Supporting International Students
In this episode, Mary challenged Erin to talk about her being a Mama Bear; tender claws out and ready to advocate for her students. Listen for the way Erin handles challenging situations including when she rescues Christmas for her student’s friend and dealing with high school teachers, which can be challenging all on their own....
Behind The Mic
Mary Chan
Mary is the founder of Organized Sound Productions, a podcast editing company and voice-over artist based in Victoria, BC, Canada and has been hosting international homestay students since 2012. When she’s not busy running after her 3 year old daughter, she can be found knitting, sewing, baking, cooking, or canning… basically making everything from scratch; everything is handmade and homemade with love.
Erin Eastman Paulson
Erin works in graphic and web design, is a student supervisor at an elementary school, and has a background in communications based in Victoria, BC, Canada. She has been hosting international homestay students since 2017. Growing up, Erin had an international homestay sister throughout her high school experience. She’s a Mom of three awesome kids aged 10, 7 and 4. Her favourite time of day is dinner time when the family sits down together to talk about their day AND learn how to raise an eyebrow.
Episode 24: Financial Reality of Hosting Homestay Students
Podcast: Play in new window | Download