TRU Host Family Website Online Community! TRU Host Family Website Online Community 1 Host-family Statistics 4

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1 The Ambassador Host Family Newsletter Summer 2007 TRU Host Family Website Online Community! The ISA team is excited about the launch of this new website dedicated to the Host Family Program. This project was inspired by Eric Kim s vision and commitment. The reaction of those who have visited the site is very positive, I love the fact that all the essential information is easily accessible and updated. Another was impressed by the ability to access specific web links to sites that provide in-depth information on countries and their cultures. This has so much potential for both better preparation as well as future discussions with students. We observed that the majority of our host families have addresses and use the internet on a daily basis. As a result, the website was the next logical step in our attempt to seek better ways to communicate with our current and prospective host families. Some of the features are: - On-line Update Host families can update their availability for hosting students on-line. You can also indicate your interest in hosting short term groups. - Host family policies & responsibilities The things you should know when hosting a student from TRU. It s just a click away from your finger tip to review those policies and the expectations whenever you want. - Cultural Profiles: Detailed information about countries and cultures of students you are hosting. - Host family Newsletters The TRU Host Family Newsletters will be posted for your reading at your convenience. Back issues will also be available. - Request your profile If you would like to review or update your family's profile file, please request a copy of your data. If there is any change or update in your data, please inform us so that we can keep the most current information about your family. We also look forward to creating special features; perhaps a section where host families could share their photos or stories of hosting experiences or travels to visit students who have returned home. We see this as a dynamic tool and will receive guidance from our Host Family Advisor Committee as well as invite input from our host family network. Vera Wojna Director, TRU World The TRU Host Family community website address is INSIDE THIS ISSUE: TRU Host Family Website Online Community 1 Host-family Statistics 4 Criminal Record Check 2 Host Family Availability 5 International Week 3 Staff Updates / Contact Info 6/7

2 2 Host Family Newsletter Summer 2007 Criminal Record Check Reminder Some Host Families still need to complete their Criminal Record Check Dear Host families, Greetings from TRU World! We would like to thank our families that have gone through the process of getting their Criminal Record Check done and handed in to our office. However, our record shows that some families haven't done the check yet. We are expecting a large number of short term students from overseas this summer in additional to our regular long-term international students (there are over 900 international students at TRU during the regular school year and the number is increasing) as well as additional special training projects for Fall. We match and place our students only with host families whose CRC has been completed and received by our office. If you haven't done the CRC yet, your status on our database will show as "not valid" for matching; therefore, we will not be able to place a student with you. If you wish to continue to host our international students, please get the CRC done and sent over to our office as soon as possible. If you do not have the CRC form, please contact: Joanne Doidge at jdoidge@tru.ca or by phone at Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

3 Host Family Newsletter Summer International Days 2007 a Great Success! A number of activities took place during International Week (March 5-9th, 2007) at Thompson Rivers University! Monday The week began with students and staff tracing their hands on coloured felt fabric (see picture at right). In the afternoon an African Slide Show displayed beautiful places to visit, maps and night life. Hong Kong movie Internal Affairs was shown in the evening. Tuesday An Intercultural Communication Workshop was held to help improve communication between cultures. The Indian Student Association at TRU organized A Night of Culture showcasing Indian performances, fashion and food. And Spanish movie The Sea Inside was shown in the evening. Wednesday International Student Employment Seminar aimed to increase understanding and effectiveness in western business & cultural environments. Chinese movie called Mountain Patrol. Youtopia International Jam Night at Heroes pub. Thursday International Showcase displaying over 20 different booths with traditional artefacts from each country. Over 30 talented international and national performers delighted audience with their abilities. The event was very well attended by faculty, students and staff at TRU. Everyone was encouraged to wear a traditional dress. Among those celebrating internationalization, were visiting dignitaries from India, Norway and Indonesia. Friday International Rock Trivia took place at Heroes Pub where they played name that tune from the 60 s, 70 s 80 s, 90 s and today. The movie in the evening as from India called Water. The entire week gave staff, faculty and students a great way to celebrate the different countries that are represented at TRU. We hope to have this event every year or at least every second year. We welcome and encourage our host families to take part in this celebration in the future. Thank you for playing a part in having our students feel at home while in your home!

4 4 Host Family Newsletter Summer 2007 HOME-STAY STATISTICS Some interesting information about our homestay statistics from Eric Kim s desk: Preferred gender No Preference, 69 Male only, 2 Female only, Aberdeen Downtown Dufferin Northshore Sahali Upper Sahali Other Host families by area Tips to increase your chance to host a student Photos: Please send us pictures of your family, your house, kitchen and student s room. Gender: We need more host families who can host male students. Date Of Birth: Some students ask for young host families, while others ask for mature couples. If we do not have your year of birth in our data, it makes it very difficult to match you with the student. We may not have the most recent information of your availability to host a student. Please visit and update your information.

5 Host Family Newsletter Summer Host Family Short-Term Availability Summer 2007 Please reply ASAP We will be receiving Summer Short Term programs again this year and want to make sure we will have sufficient housing for all the students and teachers. Please let us know if you are available to host a student by returning this form to TRU World. See the following list. Host Family Name: Tel.: You may also contact: Reyna Denison at , rdenison@tru.ca, Fax or Mail to TRU World, Thompson Rivers University, Box 3010, 900 McGill Rd., Kamloops, B.C. V2C 5N3 SHORT TERM PROGRAMS If you are available to host please check the box beside the group you are interested in. Japanese groups: Arrival Dates: Departure Date: Available: Kun-ei (12 students) July 8 Aug. 6 Nova 1 (16 students): July 14 Aug. 11 Nova 2 (16 students): July 28 Aug. 25 Kyoto Bunkyo (18 students): Aug. 6 Aug. 25 Nova 3 (16 students): Aug. 18 Sept. 15 Nova 4 (16 students): Aug. 25 Sept. 22 Korean group: Korean (20 students) July 1 July 28 Chinese Teachers: Chinese teachers (60 teachers) June 25 Aug. 17 Chilean Group: Chile July 1 Aug 11 If you are interested in attending a Cross-Cultural workshop please check when you would be able to attend. Cross-Cultural Workshop Weekday Weekend

6 6 Host Family Newsletter Summer 2007 Personnel Updates We are pleased to announce two promotions within our department. Both have been instrumental in bringing over 900 international students from over 60 different countries to TRU s campus. This has promoted internationalization, bring awareness and understanding of different countries, not only to our campus but to our community as well. Congratulations Cyndi and Vera! Cyndi McLeod was promoted to Associate Vice President for TRU World Vera Wojna was promoted to Director of TRU World We welcome Staffen Liu-Calver back from her maternity leave. As you will remember, she is one of our Mandarin speaking Advisors and will again be looking after students from mainland China. Welcome back, Staffen!

7 Host Family Newsletter Summer Contact Numbers s ISAs Office Residence Yoshie Ozawa yozawa@tru.ca Lolina Koopmans lkoopmans@tru.ca Eric Kim ekim@tru.ca Agnes Hsu ahsu@tru.ca Reyna Denison rdenison@tru.ca ZiPing Feng zfeng@tru.ca Staffen Liu-Calver sliucalver@tru.ca Richard Zhu Cell: rzhu@tru.ca Host Family Advisory Committee Members Carmelita Chatelaine Carol Kerr Anne Findrik Camilla Dahl Wendy Romanowski Donna Mazur

8 8 Host Family Newsletter Summer 2007 TRU World Student Services Team Yoshie Ozawa Support Services Coordinator Vera Wojna Director, TRU World Lolina Koopmans Agnes Hsu Staffen Liu-Calver Eric Kim Richard Zhu ZiPing Feng Reyna Denison Joanne Doidge Secretary Thank you for supporting our students! We wish you all a wonderful summer!