Stay with a homestay family

Homestay

Living with a Canadian family is an excellent way to improve your English and intercultural skills. 

Choose your language:    English    Español    日本語    한국어    中文    Português    Tiếng Việt

We accept only the most respectable, considerate, and dependable families who will treat our students well and help them to learn English and Canadian culture.

Minimum duration required for homestay registration: 4 weeks

Homestay Includes:

  • A private bedroom with beddings
  • A desk or table at which to study
  • Three meals a day (at least one prepared), 7 days a week
  • Free laundry facilities for you to do your own laundry
  • Shared common areas (i.e.. kitchen, living room)
  • Laundry detergent and cleaning supplies (for students to do laundry and clean own spaces)
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Wi-Fi 
  • Student support by a homestay coordinator and the admin team

Homestay Does Not Include:

  • Tour of the city or outside of the city 
  • Personal activities 
  • Snacks between meals 
  • Lunch services (Students are required to pack up their own lunch) 
  • Personal transportation between places
  • Personal hygiene items (i.e. shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, etc.) 
  • Cleaning services (Students are required to clean their own room, bathroom and wash dishes)
  • Laundry services (Students are required to do their own laundry - No more than once a week) 

Fees:
Accommodation Fee

English Language Program (ELP) students: $300 per week or $45 per day
* Minors and students who are not taking ELP courses: $320 per week or $50 per day

Placement Fee 

A $375 non-refundable fee is charged per placement. If you request a new placement, an additional $375 will  be charged.

Additional Storage Fees

A storage fee of $250 may apply for periods when students are absent from the homestay between semesters.

Semester Program / ACC Homestay

ESL 900 | 13 weeks

Register

Intensive Program Homestay

ESL 901 | 4 or 5 weeks

Register

Language & Culture Course Homestay

ESL 911 | 2 weeks

Register

Naoya from Japan

They are so nice to me, and I always feel at home. I love them, and the days I spent with them will be my treasure.

Naoya from Japan

Homestay Family Screening Process

Every host family is evaluated using our thorough screening process.

Online Application

Every host family must begin the process by completing an extensive application form.

Virtual Interview & House Tour

Qualified families are interviewed virtually (house tour included).

Qualified

Host families must be warm and friendly, with strong English skills. Homes must be clean, accessible by public transportation, and within a reasonable distance to the University.

Ongoing Screening

Host families are continuously evaluated to ensure they continue to be suitable for our program.

Host a Student

Host an International Student

The English Language Program is always looking for warm, friendly families who would like to open their homes to our students.

Compare Programs

Our programs are for students at all skill levels, and are designed for a variety of English language learning goals. To compare our programs and see which programs fit your needs, click the compare program button. 

Compare Programs

Payment

Payment is available by credit card (recommended), cash/debit card (in-person), convera or international bank wire. Please contact esl@ucalgary.ca to receive payment instructions on convera and international bank wire. 

Policies and Procedures

Application and admission requirements, payment and refund policies, and homestay policies.

View policies