Future Homestays
Through LRSD's homestay program, students experience life as a member of a Canadian family in a warm, welcoming, and safe home environment.
Living with a homestay family provides international students with the true Canadian experience and exposes students to many unique activities and events. Living in a Canadian home also gives students excellent opportunities to practice their English or French language skills.
LRSD homestay families are carefully chosen. All homestay families are interviewed and must pass security checks. Homes are also inspected to make sure students will be living in a safe, healthy and supportive environment.
Are you a Winnipeg family who is interested in becoming a homestay family? Email us at goglobal@lrsd.net for more information.
Steps to becoming a Homestay for LRSDGoGlobal
- Family requests and completes the LRSD Homestay Family Application Form.
- LRSD ISP contacts references identified on the application.
- LRSD ISP schedules a home visit (approximately 1 ½ hours to visit and confirm the space is suitable and the home is a safe, healthy and comfortable living environment.).
- All adults 18 years or over living in the home complete a Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check.
- ISP staff will contact you to place a student(s) in your home, depending on student and family compatibility.
Expectations of Homestay Families
Daily Care
Homestay families provide:
- a clean home with a fully furnished private room - including bed, dresser, alarm clock, closet, workspace & adequate lighting. All doors & windows must meet safety codes.
- 3 meals/day & reasonable snacks
- access to internet (wifi) - discuss limits
- a key for or access to the home
- ability to do laundry
- confidentiality
- safety - student cannot be left alone overnight
Navigating Canadian Life
Help students feel at home by:
- offering ongoing support and interaction
- staying open minded & familiarizing yourself with the differences between cultures (ie: food, greetings, bathroom etiquette)
- giving a tour of your home to show how everything works
- being available when needed (call or text)
- speaking English at home to encourage language development
- contacting the school if student is absent
- taking student to the doctor when needed (GuardMe)
Offer Cultural Experience
- Engage students in experiences that showcase Canadian life.
- Winnipeg: Art gallery, The Forks, Rainbow Stage, Sporting events, Zoo ...
- Manitoba: Festival du Voyageur, Narcisse, Gimli, MB Museum, Prairie Central ...
- Canadian: CMHR, National Park, Lower Fort Garry, St. Boniface ...
- Cooking & baking together, movies, restaurants, activities (lots of free stuff and some with a cost ie: Across the Board, Activate, Escape Rooms, etc...)
- Include your students in your celebrations & create lifelong memories! Take photos and share your stories with us to feature on Instagram and in our newsletters.
Expectations of ISP
- Student Orientation
- Weekly school visits & monthly events for students to connect (ie: Steinbach Heritage Museum, MB, Moose Game, Movie, Gym & Study Nights, Pumpkin Carving. etc ...)
- Ongoing communication with agents (biological parents) & schools
- Homestay check-ins and newsletters
- inform us of changes in family (pets, health, contact for Community Report)
- signing travel forms, problem-solving advice
- Anything you might be uncertain about - check our website: lrsd.net/isp
- Homestay Family/Student Conversation Handout
Expectations of International Students
- Respect ISP Rules & Guidelines
- Attend school every day
- Curfews: 10pm Sun.-Thu. & 12am Fri. & Sat.
- Abstain from alcohol or drugs
- Cannot drive motorized vehicles or hold a paying job
- Respect Homestay Family Guidelines
- Let you know where they are at all times
- Contribute to your family life (ie: help out and participate)
- Properly use household appliances, laundry, washroom etiquette, tech restrictions
- Plan ahead and communicate their plans for social events & sleepovers
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