Holiday

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

December 31, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Holiday, Homestay Kitchen News 00:32:23

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!

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Episode 11: Sharing Holiday and Christmas Traditions with Students Who Study Abroad

December 24, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Family bonding, Food, Holiday 00:25:31

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 with students while keeping to a budget and a list of all our favourite holiday movies. Plus, how do the holidays differ in their student’s home countries? We find out about a Japanese tradition that is finger lickin’ good! Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, or even no holiday, we hope you get a break either way. It’s really all about the good food coming out of the kitchen and enjoying it with people that you love.

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Episode 10: Diversity, Discrimination, and Balancing Canadian and Japanese Studies with Yoko

December 17, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Family bonding, Food, Guests, Holiday, Long-term hosting 0:43:17
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 young leaders in Vancouver, and the balance of Japanese versus Canadian student culture. Plus, we learn how much Yoko is really a child of Erin’s and how she’s integrated so closely with Erin’s family and being a part of Canada.
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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.

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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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Episode 3: Traditions of Halloween Past and How We Get International Students Involved Today

October 29, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Holiday 00:37:25

In this episode, we’re talking Halloween! We explore what each of our families does for Halloween and how you can incorporate your homestay student into the festivities. We reminisce about our past Halloween experiences to reveal how sometimes these student situations make us feel old.

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