Offered in various communities across Canada, this programme allows youth to truly integrate into Canadian culture while living with a caring host family.

Students join everyday activities and practice their English within a friendly, supportive, and safe home environment. They are also encouraged to immerse themselves in the local community and experience the local culture. Homestay is the ideal way to learn what life in Canada is all about!

Arrival

Upon arrival, students are met at the airport by a CISS/MLI representative who assists them to meet their pre-arranged transportation from the airport to their community and homestay. Arrivals are on Sunday.

Daily life

The summer holiday in Canada takes place during July and August, so Canadian students do not attend school during this time. Summer in Canada is a busy time of year and there is always something to do!

The visiting student can expect to spend time with their host family or new local friends, visiting interesting places in their community, shopping, going to movies etc. While there is no set programme structure, host parents will involve the visiting student in whatever activities they have planned as a family.

Departure

On their final departure day, students are transferred from the host community to the airport and assisted with airport check-in by a CISS/MLI representative. Departures are on Saturday.

Inclusions

• Orientation Package
• Homestay recruitment and inspection
• Airport assistance on arrival and departure
• Door-to-door transportation from point of entry to assigned residence by licensed and insured drivers
• Full board accommodation – three meals are available for the student daily
• Local coordinator support
• Student monitoring and reporting (1 report per 4-week stay)
• 24-hour emergency support line
• All applicable taxes

Exclusions

• Programming before and following homestay programme
• Excursions/outings outside of those offered by host family
• Entrance fees or other costs associated with excursions, attractions, games or activities
• Emergency Health Insurance – Note: the students must have their own overseas insurance
• Custodianship document for visa purposes

Depending on the chosen arrival gateway, our expert homestay team will place students with a family in one of the location options. We are proud to feature a range of communities that each offer their unique charm, from picturesque landscapes and local festivals to friendly neighbours and welcoming host families. These are smaller cities that allow the student to appreciate “traditional Canada”, while at the same time being close enough to large urban centres for more social and cultural amenities.

• Vancouver Gateway – YVR
  – Abbotsford
  – Surrey
  – Langley
• Victoria Gateway – YYJ
  – Greater Victoria
• Toronto Gateway – YYZ
  – London
• Ottawa Gateway – YOW
  – Ottawa

Families live in a variety of homes including detached houses, townhomes, bungalows, and apartments. 

A farm stay may be possible with advanced notice, in select locations.

Students have a private bedroom in a host family home

• Bedrooms typically include a bed, dresser and closet
• Bed linens, blankets, and pillows are provided by the family
• Students have use of the laundry facilities in the home
• Other areas in the home are for common use by the student and family

Students are encouraged to integrate into the family and experience the local culture.

Host families are carefully screened and selected by CISS. Host families have a sincere desire to welcome an international student into their home, and families represent a range of family types including two-parent families with children, blended families combining children from previous marriages that may or may not live full time with the core family, couples without children, retired couples or single-parent families.

Our families believe that hosting a student is a rewarding and unique experience that will not only enrich the life of the young student, but that of their family’s as well. Host families come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and circumstances. Based on each individual’s needs, host families are carefully interviewed and screened for suitability. We require our families to supply Police background checks so that we can provide a secure environment for our students.