VIU HOMESTAY/PEERSTAY PROGRAM HANDBOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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1 VIU HOMESTAY/PEERSTAY PROGRAM HANDBOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

2 HOMESTAY/PEERSTAY OFFICE viu.ca/homestay 900 Fifth Street, Building 255 Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5S5 Telephone: Facsimile: OTHER IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS TO KNOW Emergency Numbers: Off-Campus: Police, Fire, Ambulance Services: 911 On-Campus: Emergency, First Aid, Security, Fire, Ambulance, Police, Bomb Threat: Non-emergency Information Number: Information Line:

3 This handbook answers commonly asked questions that International Students have about the VIU Homestay/Peerstay Program, including: Homestay and Peerstay: what s the difference? What does a Canadian host family look like? What are the Homestay/Peerstay Fees? What are the student s responsibilities? Moving? How to give notice to your host. When can I receive my Deposit refund? 3

4 HOMESTAY/PEERSTAY with a Canadian Family The Homestay/Peerstay Program is designed to promote friendship and language learning for international students. It provides opportunities for cultural exchange between Canadians and international students who attend Vancouver Island University and The High School at VIU. Local people open their homes to students so they may experience an exchange of friendship and cultures. We hope your experience will be a positive one. It is a privilege to live with a Canadian family. HOMESTAY vs. PEERSTAY In Homestay, the host family will provide food for three meals a day and offer a supportive environment for you to learn and practice your English. Students make their own breakfast and lunch; the host makes dinner. Peerstay is for independent students who wish to purchase their own food and cook their own meals. In order to be considered a candidate for Peerstay, a student must have quantifiable experience cooking. The Peerstay family will provide students with opportunities to practice English and to learn about Canadian cultures and customs. 4

5 Canadian Host Families All kinds of families participate in the Homestay/Peerstay Program. Canada is a country of different cultures and races. Do not expect all hosts to be Caucasian (white). All hosts speak English fluently, but some may speak with an accent. Canada is a multicultural society that values and respects the diversity of all people. Many different kinds of Canadian families participate in the Program. There are married people and single people, with or without children. There are also Canadians of many ethnicities, religions and cultures. Hosts have been screened and inspected by the Homestay/ Peerstay office. We select people who are kind, friendly, helpful and interested in meeting people from other countries. Most homes are located within minutes from the campus by bus. Hosts are not responsible for transporting students; students are expected to use the transit system. Pets: Many Canadian homes have pets (usually cats or dogs), which are treated like family members. 5

6 HOMESTAY/PEERSTAY FEES Homestay: $780/month and $27/night Peerstay: $450/month and $15/night Monthly Homestay/Peerstay fees are payable on the first day of each month. If you arrive in Nanaimo, or move out of your homestay mid -month, you should pay the nightly rate for each night you stay in the home. Example 1: Homestay student If student arrives in Nanaimo on June 20th: June Homestay fee is ($27 x 11 nights) = $297 July 1 monthly Homestay fee = $780 Example 2: Peerstay student If student arrives in Nanaimo on August 20th: Aug Peerstay fee is ($15 x 12 nights) = $180 September 1 monthly Peerstay fee = $450 If you have any questions, please contact the Homestay/Peerstay office. 6

7 Student Responsibilities Hosts will worry about you and ask how you are feeling. Please first discuss any problems relating to Homestay or Peerstay with your host family. Good communication requires honesty, patience and effort. Cultural and language differences may sometimes create confusion and/or misunderstandings. The life-long friendship you will gain with your host family and other Canadians is worth the effort! Your hosts will not know what makes you feel comfortable, so please talk with your host family. Canadians are generally direct and speak openly when they have a problem. Try to do the same with them, honestly and in a respectful manner. If a problem arises that cannot be resolved after speaking with your host, please come to the Homestay/Peerstay office. As Vancouver Island University is sponsoring this program, relevant institutional policies apply to Homestay/Peerstay students. You should know and understand your responsibilities under the VIU Student Conduct Code and Human Rights Policy. Students must conduct themselves with appropriate behaviour in Homestay and Peerstay. Inappropriate behaviours include, but are not limited to, the use or possession of illegal drugs or paraphernalia, sexual relations in the Homestay or Peerstay, intoxication, theft, racism, violence or threats of violence. Such conduct is prohibited and grounds for immediate removal from the Homestay/Peerstay Program. 7

8 Students should: 1) Learn, understand and follow the routines of the host. Hosts should give you simple written guidelines or house rules. 2) Discuss any food likes or dislikes with your host. Canadian food is different from the food of your home country. Try many new foods! Go grocery shopping with your host and show them foods you like to eat. If there are foods that only you eat, you should buy them for yourself. Mealtimes are a good time for family members to get together and talk. Eating behaviour may be different in Canada. Follow the examples of your host family. 3) Always tell your host if you will be away overnight. Leave a telephone number where you can be contacted. Tell the host when you will be home. 4) Always tell your host if you will not be home for dinner, or if you will arrive home late. Family members call if they are going to be late or miss the evening meal. If you are a High School student and you plan to go out of town without the host family, you must get a permission slip signed by the host family and the High School Principal. 5) Ask the host s permission before inviting guests to the home. The host family is NOT obligated to host your family and/or friends. If your guests are allowed to stay overnight, each person should pay the same nightly fee that you would pay. 6) No drugs, alcohol or sex in the Homestay or Peerstay. 7) Clean your own bedroom and bathroom. Help the hosts wash the dishes after the evening meal. Learn to wash your own clothes and bed sheets regularly. Learn to prepare your own breakfast and lunch. 8

9 8) In most Canadian families, all members of the household share the chores. 9) Be responsible for all of your cleaning, damages, telephone expenses, including long-distance calls. Ask for permission to use your host s telephone, and use a pre-paid phone card when you call long-distance. 10) Be responsible for your own mobile (cell) phone contract. Do not ask your host to put the phone contract in your host s name. You are responsible for paying all expenses associated with the purchase of a phone, related contracts and administrative fees. 11) Arrange for your own personal insurance for your possessions. VIU, The High School nor the host is responsible for the replacement of your lost or damages property. 12) Be responsible for your money. VIU, The High School at VIU, nor your host may advise you about money. Your host will help you locate a bank when you first arrive, but may not give you financial advice. 13) When you go somewhere with your host, you must pay for your own travel costs, entrance fees and tickets. When the host invites you to eat a meal at a restaurant, the host will pay for the meal. Meals in restaurants can be quite expensive, so it is polite to offer to contribute some money. 14) You should contribute money towards day trips or outings when you go with your host. For example, ski trips to the mountains, or trips to Victoria or Vancouver. 9

10 Moving and Giving Notice to Host You must give your host a minimum of 30 days written notification before you move out of your Homestay or Peerstay. Moving Notification forms are available for the main reception area in Building 255. Moving Notification forms must be signed by the student and the host, and returned to the Homestay/Peerstay office as soon as possible. You must thoroughly clean your bedroom and bathroom and remove all your belongings before your departure. Please make sure you return your key(s) to your hosts. Student Evaluation of Host Attached to the Moving Notification form is a confidential evaluation form for you to complete about your experience in the Homestay or Peerstay. Your opinion is very important to us; please be as honest as possible when completing the evaluation. 10

11 Deposit Refund Homestay/Peerstay Deposit refunds may not be returned in full if, but not limited to: You have not give 30 days written notification with a Moving Notification form. There are cleaning costs, damages in the home or outstanding Homestay or Peerstay fees due. There is outstanding VIU tuition or other VIU fees owing. Outstanding fees owed from your Deposit may delay its return. Deposit refunds are issued approximately 3-4 weeks AFTER you have moved out of the home and left the Homestay/Peerstay Program. Refunds are either sent directly your home country, or a cheque is issued in your name for you to pick up from the main reception desk in building 255 at VIU. If you want the refund sent to your home country, you will need to complete an Electronic Funds Transfer form (EFT). Banking fees for wire transfers can cost $40. The EFT form can be picked up from the main reception desk in building

12 Vancouver Island University Centre for International Education 900 Fifth Street, Building 255 Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5S5 Telephone: Fax: The High School at VIU 900 Fifth Street, Building 350 Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5S5 Telephone: Fax: VIU Homestay/Peerstay Program