Homestay family responsibilities and expectations

Ensure a safe, supportive environment by providing quality accommodation, meals, and fostering respect and communication with students.

View tips for a successful homestay

Host family responsibilities:

  1. Accommodation:
    • Provide a private, single bedroom with a door and a window.
    • Furnish the room with a closet, drawer, curtains, beddings, desk, desk chair, desk lamp, garbage bin, and a laundry basket.
    • Ensure a private or shared bathroom is available.
    • Provide access to laundry facilities that are not coin-operated (allowing students to use the washer and dryer for one full cycle per week).
  2. Meals:
    • Provide three meals a day, seven days a week (with at least one prepared meal by the host family, e.g., dinner).
    • Provide breakfast and lunch ingredients (e.g., cereal, milk, yogurt, fruit, sandwich ingredients).
  3. Supplies:
    • Provide extra towels if needed.
    • Ensure the availability of toilet paper and hand soap.
  4. Language environment:
    • Create an English-speaking environment where no other languages are spoken in the presence of the student.

Expectations of host families:

  1. Family characteristics:
    • Maintain cleanliness in the home.
    • Exhibit warmth and care toward your student(s).
    • Spend at least one hour daily with your student(s) (e.g., during dinner).
    • Support the student(s) with their English language learning and homework.
  2. Inclusion:
    • Include student(s) in family activities whenever possible.
    • Treat your student(s) as a member of your family.
  3. Proximity and accessibility:
    • Ensure the home is within 80 minutes of the University of Calgary by public transit.
    • Ensure accessibility to the University via public transportation, including evenings and weekends.
  4. Communication:
    • At least one family member must have strong English communication skills with good pronunciation.
  5. Student status:
    • Students are not renters but members of your family.
  6. Safety:
    • All adults living in the household must provide a criminal record check.

Creating a respectful and safe homestay environment

Understanding boundaries and avoiding misunderstandings

Homestay can lead to many unique and challenging situations for students and hosts. Differences in culture, race, gender, and language can have significant effects on how people interpret certain interactions. Our goal is to remind and educate families about sexual harassment, and how to avoid misunderstandings at home.

What is harassment?

Harassment is any unwelcome and inappropriate behaviour, which can be verbal, written, graphical, or physical.

Below are some examples of inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment.

  • Sexual advances and flirting. For example, commenting on a student's appearance, figure, or clothing, or saying they're "cute" or attractive.
  • Inappropriate touching. This includes massaging, patting, pinching, stroking or brushing up against the body. Physical contact with students should always be avoided.
  • Hugging. In our culture, we like to greet people with warmth and affection. However, in some cultures this can be confusing and inappropriate. For many students, physical contact is very frightening. A warm smile and handshake is enough to welcome a student.
  • Invading personal space. For example, entering a student's bedroom without permission or sitting so close that physical contact occurs.
  • Personal questions or comments. Asking about a student's sex life, dating, or relationship status is inappropriate.
  • Kissing. Attempting or kissing a student, even on the cheek, is never appropriate under any circumstances.

Students may feel pressured – especially if a host insists on repeated interaction or attention. Persistent requests or advances can cause distress and put students under considerable pressure.

What action should be taken? 

  • Students are instructed to inform our office immediately of any situation they feel is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable in homestay.
  • Host families should contact the homestay coordinator immediately if they have any concerns or questions.
  • Our homestay program offers a 24-hour emergency cellphone service to students and hosts: 403-703-1875.
  • The University will investigate all concerns in accordance with our Sexual Violence Policy. Legal action may be taken if appropriate.

 

Acts of harassment or violence – by either a host or student – will result in immediate removal from the homestay program.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Office

Supporting our community

Homestay Team Support

Our homestay program offers a 24-hour emergency cellphone service to students and hosts: 403-703-1875.

Contact the Homestay Team

Sexual and Gender Based Violence Prevention and Support Office

Whether you’ve been affected or someone has disclosed to you, the office offers services, resources, and guidance through your options and responses.

Connect to Sexual and Gender Based Violence Prevention and Support Services