homestay

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 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.
(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 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 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…)

Episode 1: The One About Mary

October 4, 2018 Homestay Kitchen Cooking with Students, Food, Short-term hosting 00:31:20

In this episode, Erin interviews Mary. We talk about how Mary got started hosting international homestay students. Mary shares some of her experiences with hosting, her love of cooking, crafting, and how she includes her students in her home life.

(more…)