Vancouver English Centre Homestay Rules

A homestay in Vancouver offers you a unique chance to become immersed in Canadian culture and the English language. Your visit will be more pleasant if you follow these simple rules:

For an enjoyable homestay experience, be prepared to participate.

· Adapt to your new lifestyle and join in activities in the homestay.

· Speak English in the homestay whenever possible.

During your stay in the homestay, be polite and considerate to our hosts.

· Tell your hosts if you will not be home for meals.

· Call if you will be home late.

· Discuss weekend or vacation plans in advance.

· Ask you hosts before you invite friends to your homestay.

· Do not lose your house key, or loan it to anyone else.

You are responsible for some expenses.

· Students pay for their transportation to and from their homestays.

· You can pay for your international calls by purchasing a telephone card.

· You should offer to contribute towards the cost of the excursions.

You should keep your room neat and clean:

· Offer to help with some chores around your homestay.

· Make your bed in the morning.

· Wash your own clothes.

· When you leave your homestay, leave your bedroom tidy.

If you have any homestay problems, please tell the Homestay Coordinator. We are here to help you have an enjoyable visit. Remember, however, that changing homestays is a serious matter, and may only be done if the Homestay Coordinator feels it is justified. Just as your host family makes a commitment to you, you make the commitment to spend the full duration requested in a homestay. We ask students to inform their hosts at least 3 weeks before leaving a homestay. If you leave your homestay without properly informing your hosts, you might not receive a refund for all of your homestay fee.

If you are having trouble communicating effectively with your homestay family, you might want to register for one of our special elective courses:

Pop Culture Course

Language is Culture Course

Survival English Course

English Pronunciation Courses

English Listening Courses