When you are hosting a student or a visitor, you become an ambassador of our beautiful region, Manitoba and Canada.
Our families are kind, hospitable, and do not need to be reminded of their responsibilities. However, we have set the following guidelines for all homestay families in order to make the best homestay experience possible.
A homestay family should make the student or visitor feel welcome in their home. The hope is that the student or visitor will be welcomed as part of the family and not treated as a “tenant”. The homestay family must be tolerant of the student’s foreign customs and habits. Remember to always be understanding, and have patience with the student or visitor.
During the student or visitor stay, the homestay family is required to show the student or visitor how to get to places of interest such as schools, community centres and attractions and so they can maximize their experience.
The student must be provided with a nice clean private room with basic furniture such as:- Comfortable bed (including linen, duvet cover, blanket and two pillows)- Night table, lamp, and alarm clock/radio- Work desk with chair and desk lamp with sufficient lighting- Closet and mirror
Only one student or visitor is allowed per room, unless there is a special request by the homestay applicant for shared accommodation.
The homestay family must make sure that the student has a quiet environment in order to study and succeed in school, as well as quiet time to sleep and rest.
The homestay family must speak English with the student or visitor.
Under no circumstances is the homestay family to accept or request any favours such as house cleaning, shopping, moving or lifting heavy items, gardening, baby sitting, etc…
The homestay family is not allowed to lend any type of vehicle to the student or visitor.
As you should have insurance for passengers in your car, you should also have sufficient home and liability insurance in place. Homestay families must have a minimum of one million dollar home liability insurance. Please review your home insurance policy or consult with your insurance provider for details. Study Manitoba School Divisions does not assume any responsibilities for any injuries suffered by the student or visitor while in the homestay family's care.
If any physical or verbal abuse occurs, the student will be removed from the home immediately. The incident will be reported to the police.
If the homestay family has any concerns that they cannot discuss directly with the student or visitor, please contact our Director.
Homestay families must never keep the student or visitor waiting outside the home. To avoid such a situation a spare key should be helpful.
Students and visitors are advised to purchase their own long distance pre-paid card or to make collect calls. Study Manitoba School Divisions will not assume any responsibility regarding long distance charges.
The homestay family should familiarize the students with the use of the washer and dryer, so they can do their own laundry.
The homestay family must explain to the student or visitor how to evacuate the home in case of an emergency. The home must have a functioning fire smoke detector on every floor.
While the student can be invited to attend religious services, the family should not apply any pressure to do so. The family should always be willing to direct the student to his or hers religion's place of worship if required. A homestay family must always respect the religious and cultural beliefs of the student.
Should a homestay family like to terminate a homestay occupancy, reservation or provider agreement, the host family must give Study Manitoba School Divisions at least one month notice to make alternate homestay arrangements.
Study Manitoba School Divisions neither guarantees nor promises occupancy to any homestay family. The homestay placement process is based on supply and demand.
Study Manitoba School Divisions does not allow and will not tolerate any discrimination against students or vice versa.
