long-term placement

Episode 17: Your Student Arrival Guide with a Homework Assignment

February 11, 2019 Homestay Kitchen Long-term hosting, Short-term hosting 00:26:31

In this episode, we take you through the process of getting ready for the arrival of your student. Is the student bedroom made up? Got that extra house key ready? Those are just two main things you should have set up, but yes, of course, there’s always more. We’ve got lots of tips for welcoming your student into your home, culture, and a whole new country. Plus, Erin’s got some homework for you and your new student. Don’t worry, there won’t be a pop quiz.

(more…)

Episode 14: Applying to Be a Homestay Host

January 21, 2019 Homestay Kitchen Long-term hosting, Short-term hosting 00:38:57

In this episode, we steer you through the journey of applying to become a homestay host to an international student. It’s quite the process as you do need to be vetted to host students, especially underage students, but don’t let that scare you. Every school will have a different protocol, but there is an application process you should go through. Once that is done, the rest of your homestay adventure will be less stressful. So grab a pen and get ready to jot some notes down on becoming a homestay host!

(more…)

Episode 13: Resolutions, Goal Setting, and Fears for Hosting your First International Student

January 14, 2019 Homestay Kitchen Long-term hosting, Short-term hosting 00:33:57

In this episode, we are refreshed from our break and ready to tackle the fear of having a student in your home for the very first time. If one of your goals for the year is to become a homestay host, we help you dive into the unknown. What is it really like to have a stranger in your house? How do you get around that fear?

(more…)

Episode 9: Board Games, Video Games and All the Things to Interact with Your Student

December 10, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Family bonding, Holiday 00:49:26

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 for the holidays. Or perhaps you’re getting a new student soon… what are your favourite games to play to help break the ice? Here are some ideas for easy games to play with young kids, games that require very little English, and even one that will make a mess.

(more…)

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

December 3, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Birthdays, Cooking with Students, Guests, Holiday, Homestay Kitchen News, Long-term hosting, Short-term hosting 00:40:40
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…)

Episode 7: Advocating For and Supporting International Students

November 26, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Holiday, Long-term hosting, Short-term hosting 00:47:37

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. Then we take a little side track as Mary gets a delivery at the door… all before Mary shares her stories about how she saved a student’s romantic relationship, which causes Erin to feel like throwing up because of the suspense.

(more…)

Episode 6: Selecting International Students for your Homestay Family

November 19, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Holiday, Long-term hosting, Short-term hosting 00:44:11

In this episode, we share our experiences of how we select international students to become a part of our homestay family.  We chat about how one student in Mary’s short-term homestay experience got her to change her number one request on a student profile.  We walk through what you should consider when matching a student profile to your family, and ultimately, how we decide to host a student in our home.  Then we explore Erin’s detailed student profile applications, while she goes on one of her tangents to provide some very insightful tips for what to do with your kids when travelling with your students.

(more…)

Episode 5: Canadian Student Life, Parental Pressure Studying Abroad, and a Passion for Music with Jenny

November 12, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Cooking with Students, Guests, Holiday, Long-term hosting 00:38:59

In this episode, we dive in with Erin’s student from China, Jenny. She’s here on a high school program for a couple years and at the time of the recording, is one of two students in Erin’s home. Jenny has a love of music that we explore and hear samples of during the show. She truly is talented and has a passion for life, which we’ll hear about as she describes her student lifestyle in Canada, the pressures of studying abroad away from her parents, and what her dreams are for the future after completing her Canadian high school education.

(more…)

Episode 4: Weaving Birthday Traditions with Cross Cultural Experiences

November 5, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Birthdays, Cooking with Students, Food, Long-term hosting, Short-term hosting 00:38:06

In this episode, we dive into birthdays! Jon and Blake’s birthdays are one day apart, so we talk birthday plans and what Erin’s students have up their sleeves for Blake… while Mary reveals her one big mistake in communication about birthdays with her first ever student.

(more…)

Episode 2: The One About Erin

October 21, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Food, Long-term hosting 00:32:56

In this episode, Mary interviews Erin.  We talk about how we first met, reminiscing about Erin’s high school experience of being a homestay sister, and we dissect a day in her family’s crazy life to reveal how her students are the best part of her day.

(more…)