International Student Program: Host an International Student
Looking for a unique and enriching family experience? Learn more about becoming a host family!
Welcoming an international student to your home is a great way to learn about another country and culture, build lifelong relationships and share your home, language and culture with a high school student arriving from France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Chile, Italy and many other countries.
Prairie South School Division is proud to support international programming, working in partnership with YES Canada to welcome students from around the world to study and learn through an immersive local experience.
As an essential component of international programming, Prairie South School Division and YES Canada are seeking local families to welcome and host students throughout the school year and be a part of the growing international program.
YES Canada is a family operated and focused organization that has been welcoming international students to study at local high schools across Canada for over 15 years. YES Canada facilitates the placement of students from a range of countries around the world.
The Student Program
Students participating in the program attend local high schools within Prairie South School Division while living with local families. Students embark on an exchange program to experience local Canadian living, engaging in day-to-day life with their families and at school, as they grow their English language proficiency, share in cultural exchanges and develop life skills. Experiencing Canada at a local level is at the essence of the program for a true immersion experience.
The YES Canada Homestay Program
YES Canada’s homestay program is an opportunity for local families to welcome an international student into their home. For these high school students, host families provide a home away from home in a safe and nurturing environment, three meals per day and the opportunity to become a family member. A monthly stipend is provided to host families to offset the cost of hosting.
Host families, and students, are supported by a local coordinator and YES Canada staff during their student’s stay. YES Canada works closely with potential host families from the moment of inquiry, through the application process, for the duration of the student’s stay and beyond. In the same way that YES Canada is thorough in the student admissions process, they work to know the host family and welcome them to the program. The application process includes:
- The submission of a host family profile and photo collage.
- A home visit and family interview with the Local Coordinator.
- A criminal background and reference check.
- Completion of supplementary homestay documentation and the signing of the Host Family Agreement.
Why Host? A Rewarding Experience
Every host family has their own great story to tell and their own perspective on the benefits of hosting an international student, some of which includes:
- A lasting friendship that crosses oceans and years and the instant expansion of family.
- New cross-cultural perspectives and a globalized world view
- A fresh and new perspective of Canada as seen through the eyes of the international student.
- An opportunity to rediscover your local community.
- Building lifelong memories and experiences, mutual learning and teaching.
Contact us to learn more and to get started
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a host family, or wish to to start your host family application, please contact YES Canada directly.
Local Coordinator: Miranda Penner
Email: miranda@youthedservices.ca
Tel: 306-313-7798
YES Canada Website: https://youthedservices.ca/host-a-student/
Main Office:
Email: homestay@youthedservices.ca
Tel: 416-623-6220