Host families are among the most welcoming and generous people in Canada. They open their homes and share their lives to ensure international students are in a secure and stable home environment while integrating into their new Canadian community and school. Host families cannot be described in one “perfect” picture. Just as families around the world vary in their size, arrangements and demographics, so too do CISS host families. What they all have in common is their desire to share the Canadian experience and provide a caring home environment to students from around the world.

Our internal homestay team (MLI Homestay) screens, interviews, and constantly monitors host families to ensure top-quality care, safety, and comfort for each student. Host families must be willing to provide the care and nurturing that a teen student requires, not just scholastically, but also socially and culturally. An English-speaking home environment (or French where required) is critical to ensuring students see an increase in their linguistic fluency. Families are encouraged to include the student in their daily activities. An international student will become a member of their new Canadian family. Building this special relationship requires openness by both the student and the host family.

Families choose to host for a wide variety of reasons. Many are proud of their community and want to share this with newcomers or find hosting to be an ideal way for their own children to know more about the world through having international students.  Others have grown children and see this as an opportunity to continue to be parents.

We are privileged to be a well-respected company, known for ensuring standards and personal contact with the hosting families. We employ coordinators in each city or region to manage, recruit and monitor the hosts in that area. During the programme, these coordinators closely monitor each student’s well-being through regular home visits and communication with host families. This information is incorporated into the CISS reports which are provided for every student, twice per semester.

Bedrooms for all family members. Students will have a private room that includes a bed, dresser and closet.  If there is space, the bedroom may also have a desk.  Otherwise, a desk/quiet study area is available to the student in another area of the home

1-2 full bathrooms that include a toilet, sink, shower or bathtub/shower combination.  Bathrooms are typically shared by family members.  Students should not expect a private bathroom and must respect this as a shared space

Kitchen for cooking, and if large enough there may be an eating area

Dining rooms are for family meals.  Not all homes have a separate dining room.  Often, this is incorporated into a larger kitchen.

Living rooms are for family gatherings or guests when they visit.  They may include a TV or other entertainment.  Larger homes may also have a family room or “rec” room that holds the main or secondary TV and other entertainment.  If a home has both, the rec room is often where the kids play or watch TV, leaving the living room for more formal use.

Basements in most Canadian homes are finished and considered a livable part of the house (not to be confused with a cellar).  Living rooms or rec rooms are often in the basement.

Laundry rooms have a washing machine and dryer.  Some families may hang laundry outside to dry. Each host family will advise the laundry schedule and who is responsible for the laundry, and how to use the machines

Backyards range from small to large, and are typically used in warmer weather for outdoor entertaining, including BBQ dinners and activities.

Front yards (and backyards) are often landscaped with grass and small gardens.  Mowing the grass is the responsibility of the homeowner, and may be a chore for the children (or students).

Homes may be large and multi-story, or bungalow style where the main living areas are all on one floor.   Homes may be detached, or attached to one other or to multiple homes.  Apartments or Condos are also appropriate provided there is sufficient space for the student.

In smaller towns, families may live on a farm or in a farming community.

In general, homes in large urban cities are typically smaller (or are apartments) as the density of the city requires smaller residential land plots.  Larger homes are more often found in suburban areas or smaller towns, where more available land allows for a larger home.