Homestay 101 e-Magazine

2011-03-10T07:15:00.000-08:00

HomeStay Central.com is an Online community specializing in locating temporary housing for students and traveling visitors via the web. We also help Hosts find guests for their empty rooms.

Mosts students and world travelers are not willing or able to pay Hotel or Apartment rates. So here at Homestay Central we offer something that is growing in demand a “Home-away -from-Home” on a budget.

Homestay is one of the best choices of accommodation between students and extended stay traveling guests. Homestay guests and students enjoy the hospitality of a host family and benefit from their guidance while studying or traveling abroad.

Our accommodations are provided through a online network of private home owners (“Hosts”). This online network provides a unique and diverse source of, affordable housing for budget conscious travelers alike.

Todays world is internet savvy. Most travelers find there accommodations via the internet.

This is a way for them to learn about the ‘your’ country and its customs.

Simply treat them as you would any relative or friend who is visiting you.

Make lasting friendships and earn some extra income in the process.

It's Easy! It's Simple...We help you find your perfect match

Go on; register with HomestayCentral.com today. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to GAIN!

Open your doors to the world with Homestay Central.com

If you are a New Host taking in guests for the first time.

Don't forget to get your book copy of Homestay 101 for Hosts

To help you every step of the way.

So lets get you started!

Beat the Recession

2010-02-08T12:01:00.000-08:00

Student Housing is becoming more and more popular over the last few years with the demand out growing the supply. University and College enrolment is on the rise, particularly now as some of the younger generation seeks to hunker down in school to ride out the current economic turbulence. "Many of our colleges are operating at capacity," says James Knight, president and CEO of the Association Canadian Community Colleges, based in Ottawa. "Wait lists for programs can be years long, with qualified applicants far outnumbering available spaces. Equipment shortages and deferred building maintenance characterize the system." Good news for students and facilities came in the 2009 budget announced on Jan. 27, that the federal government is committing $2 billion for the construction, repair and upgrade of colleges and universities across Canada. From Victoria in the west to Halifax in the east and numerous points in between, major post-secondary scholastic expansion is under way.(quote): Canadian Real Estate Magazine. Homeowners are cashing in on this growing demand to help subsidise their income while helping out a student in much need of affordable housing. Marketing your Homestay/room for rent can be a little more challenging then traditional rentals, since most of your target market might be out of town running a classified ad on-line can be the answer. The student rental business has become more popular every year. Most students and traveling visitors heading off to collage and University are using the internet to find their Homestay/Room for Rent. These days the student is pretty tech-savvy, making advertising your Homestay room rental the best bang for your dollar. http://www.HomestayCentral.com/ is a leader in advertising Homestay/Room Rentals. So visit us today and find out how you can create income from home and help ride the wave of this economy. HomestayCentral.com

Homestay Rentals and Profits

2009-05-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

How To Make Money With Homestay Room Rentals - Yes, it's true! You can make money with your home.

Put your House to Work:

Renting a room in your home as a Homestay is a great business that thousands of people take advantage of to make some extra income. While many people rent out their spare rooms each year, not all of them are successful. Renting out that spare room can be profitable and rewarding if you manage it properly.

Benefits: of Renting Out your Guest Rooms

The main reason for renting out your guest rooms is that you can gain a steady income. People like you are renting out that spare room in their home and have a constant flow of guest/students and receive much more income then their mortgage. A lot of successful people start out by financing their home and to cover the cost and then some, they rent out the rooms that they do not use. Some will even build extra rooms to create additional revenue. Not only are they minimizing their overhead expenses, some are even able to totally work from home and pursue other interest, such as a home base business or stay at home mom. Remember in order to achieve financial freedom, we need to create more income. Homestay! What a great alternative.

To find out how you can gain some financial freedom get your copy of Homestay 101 for Hosts

Get your copy Of Homestay 101 for Hosts Today

Would you like to have thousands of dollars of extra income every year? What would you do with that money? Pay down your mortgage, take vacations, helpout people you love, buy a boat,new car, pay for college? Think about it, Homestay may be the answer to why you should rent ot those spare rooms.

About the Author

Personally committed to supporting the Homestay industry, Cheryl was recently named "the national expert on Homestay" by Michael Smith of Nightline.

"I am an extraordinarily lucky person, doing what I love best in the world. I’m sure that I will always be a homestay host/writer. I was lucky enough to stay-home with my kids and to be published. Homestay gave me freedom.

--C.L. Verstrate

Homestay Hosts if you are looking for a great place to advertise your room rentals check out http://www.homestaycentral.com/

Students and traveling guests need to know you're out there!

Students and Guests Q/A?

2009-01-19T08:03:00.000-08:00

1. What is a homestay?

It is an agreement between a Host Family and student/guest when the Host Family offers a furnished room in their home while the student/guest will be studying/working to do a internship or to relocate from another city or country.

2. Will student/guest learn the language/culture at a faster pace when he stays with a Host Family?

Yes, they are forced to speak the language and live the new lifestyle all the time, they don't have an opportunity to speak their own language.

3. What is the minimum age to apply?

In most countries the minimum age is aprox. 18 years old.

4. What is the minimum stay?

The minimum stay is at least 2 weeks.

5. Will I have furnished room?

Yes, you will have a room with a bed, bed linens, desk with chair, dresser/closet.

6. Are utilities included?

Yes, you don't need pay anything extra.

7. Is internet access included?

Host families usually have wireless internet. You will need to have your own computer or laptop with a wireless connection.

8. Will I have my own bathroom?

You can reguest this option. Please note that bathroom supplies are not included, like shampoo, tooth paste, soap, towels, brush, shaving gel and so on.

9. Does homestay include transportation?

Some host can offer you free or paid rides, but mostly you have to use the public transportation. After arrival host family will explain how to get around the city.

10. Will there be any other students at the same homestay?

Some host families host more than 1 student. Ask if the host family has a student at this time.

11. When I request meals, does the host family cook for me all the time?

You will be expected in most cases to prepare your own breakfast.

They offer you family cooked meals for lunch or dinner.

12. Can I cook by myself ?

Yes, most host families will allow you to cook your own food. The host families will show you how to use and where to look for kitchen equipment and utensils.

13. Do I have to accept homestay or request another option?

There are many different options of homestay to choose from.

14. Will I receive a key to the house?

Yes, you will. Please be careful, you have to be very responsible with it. If you wish to invite a friend, school mate to the house, please ask your host family if that would be ok.

15. Can I watch TV?

If you want to have your own TV please request this with your application, Otherwise you can watch TV at suitable hours. TV is usually shared in a host living room.

16. Can I use the host family telephone?

You may make local phone calls. For long distance calls you have to use a calling card or you can discuss with the host family if you can use their phone. We suggest to consider your own prepaid cellphone, it would be more convenient for you.

17. May I use the host family computer?

It really depends on the host family. We suggest to bring own laptop.

18. May I smoke in the house?

No. Most host families will not allow to smoke in their house, some do not like smell, or it may cause them an allergic reaction. Most host families will ask you to smoke outside the home in a specific area using an ashtray.

19. Can I do laundry?

Yes, the host families will show you where the laundry facilities are and how to operate the washing machine.

20. Will I be able to go sightseeing with my host family?

Yes. Please note that your entertainment tickets are paid by you.

21. Do I have to come home at a certain time?

No, however it is recommended, that you tell your host family if you plan on missing dinner or returning to the house after midnight. Host families usually worry about their guests and students. Keep them informed!

22. Can I be picked up at the airport?

There is an extra fee for this service. You can arrange that with the host to pick you up at the airport, in this case please include that request in your application and complete the flight details. You can add flight information later.

23. Do you provide airport drop off?

No, please arrange your ride to the airport. Please ask your host family in advance, they might assist you.

24. What about House rules?

Each host family has their own house rules. These rules may include requests by your host family to turn off the lights of your room or bathroom before you leave, or to avoid receiving phone calls after certain hours in the evening.

25. How can I get Student Health and Travel Insurance?

Contact your homestay coordinator or school admission department for special group or student rates and benefits offered by insurance providers. Consider the cost of medical attention and emergency health care can be very expensive. For international guests, please consult with your own insurance broker or travel agent in your country of origin before travel.

26. Where can I get an application form and how much is the application fee?

You will find the online application on this website, please ensure that it is the guest application.

27. Is the application fee refundable?

Yes, only when your homestay coordinator regrets for not being able to provide you with suitable homestay due to high occupancies in the city.

28. Is there a deadline for submitting the application?

No, we accept application at all times. Kindly allow a minimum of two to four weeks for best results.

29. Is it possible to bring a relative or friend as a companion to stay with me?

Yes. You need to count at least one and half time of the regular homestay rate when your companion will share the same room with you. Companion arrangement must be decided upon in advance at the time of application and detailed information about the companion must be submitted on a separate on-line application.

30. How long does it take before I get to know information about my host family?

It all depends on when you are arriving, your requirements, homestay availability. There is no estimated time, but it can be done fast. Please check your email on a regular bases and reply to your homestay coordinator immediately. You are always welcome to check the status of your application.

31. How much must I pay in advance to book the homestay room?

You have to pay directly to the host family upon arrival and again on the 1st of each month.

32. When I request airport pick up, how do I know who will meet me at the airport?

At the final stage of homestay placement, your homestay coordinator will email to you the airport pick up instructions and your host family details.

33. If I were to book a flight ticket now, which days or time are ideal to arrive at the host family home?It is best to arrive in the afternoons and evenings or during weekend. Try to avoid late night arrival if you can, but most host families will help you if you experience delays.

34.

What if I experience delays from the airline or miss my flight?

Please contact the host family by phone. We will provide you with their telephone numbers in advance.

35. If my homestay room is not available for one or two weeks, can I find assistance regarding finding temporary accommodation?

Yes, Please ask your coordinator about possible temporary homestay or he will provide you with a list of hotels, hostel or B&B

36. What if I need additional help with registering me in language courses near to my homestay?

Ask your homestay coordinator at the school you are registered with. Go To: http://www.homestaycentral.com/

Rents and Fees

2008-11-01T20:42:00.000-07:00

Trying To find the best possible price to charge for your Room for Rent is a question I get asked often. I have put together some information and guide lines to help you out.

Pricing your rooms depends on many different factors such as location, size of room available, and type of Homestay style offered.

Another consideration is the extras such as ESL, driving to and from school, work, etc.

If you are receiving your guest from a school or agency, ask them if they have pricing guidelines already in place.

Base the room rate on:

Current local rent market (check the other Homestay rates in your area)
The type of Homestay you are offering
School policies
Room & Home amenities
Meals included/not included
ESL Language Tutoring
Location to schools, city and amenities, tourist attractions

Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:

Always be business-like when handling the rent so there is no misunderstanding from both guest and host.

Most Homestay fees are paid on the day your guest/student arrives for the month and is collected on the same day the following month.

- Sometimes the school and/or organizations will pay you directly.

- Charging a room-deposit gives the guest/student incentive to leave the room in good shape. Use common sense when it comes to returning deposits. (Note: Some schools and organizations do not allow deposits to be taken from students.)

- Keep financial dealings straightforward and consistent. A misunderstanding regarding finances can create havoc with your Guest-Host relationship that can cost you! Check your local area and find out what other Homestays are charging. Phone them – it’s great for networking.

For more great advice on setting up your home and running a successful Homestay get a copy of Homestay 101 for Hosts

go to: or Barnes&Noble.com

It's been awhile

2008-05-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

HELLO, I do apologize, for it's been awhile since I have posted on the Homestay-E mag.

You had questions about feeding your International guest so i thought I would share some things about their diet...I do not make lots of side dishes with dinner... just normal meals, but I do make a lot of stir-fry's with rice.

I try to cook one ethnic meal once a week. They also like creamy pastas, so carbonara or something like that is alway a hit, they love hamburgers (typical western foods). I have found a few dishes that are acceptable for the whole family. I might just add some Korean red chilli powder to the stir-fry after serving my kids, as it gives it a bit of a kick, and they love spicy food. But overall.

I don't change how I cook, but they do tend to like the stirfry's.

If your guest needs a side dish, just put out something like kimchee, steamed rice (that stays good in the fridge for a few days) or kimchee pancakes (make a few at a time and serve them until they are gone). If they don’t eat them, then you know to stop doing it.

Breakfast - I put out two types of cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, bread or bagels, so nothing fancy. I also do pancakes sometimes as my family loves them, and so do most guests.

Lunch - I use a reusable container filled with iced tea, a sandwich or leftovers from dinner, a piece of fruit, a sweet snack (like piece of cake or they love wagon wheels) and then just a granola bar or nuts. I usually do ham or roast beef sandwiches. Instead of buying it at the deli, I cook up a roast beef (say $7 a kilo) or buy a bigger piece of ham and use my electric slicer and it works out much cheaper than buying it at the deli section of supermarket.

In my downstairs kitchen, I keep kimchee, shinramyun noodles, and leftover rice, so on the weekends they cook up lunch for themselves (or brunch seeing that they sleep in until noon!). I bake cookies, they love shortbread or coco chip, and keep them downstairs for snacks - they eat heaps the first time they find them in the house, but after moving in, but slow down real quick when they realise they are putting on weight!

My students have never left their dishes in their room, but it is part of my house rules that they don't leave food scraps in their room or room garbage, and dirty dishes can't be left on counter tops etc.

On average I think I spend about $10 a day on their food, but since I've been doing it for a while we have learned very quickly (having 3 girls at a time) where to buy things at a good price. Shinramyun noodles I only buy at Costco, never in the supermarket as they are almost twice the price, wagon wheels bulk and most things like that. Hope this info helps. Hosting International guests can be a valuable experience for both the Homestay family and the student.

When I worked as Homestay Coordinator for an International school, I felt that I really never needed to go anywhere to experience different cultures, because the world came to me.

Since I have your attention Please Read! I would like to mention that if you are an active member of Homestaycentral.com or visiting us for the first time.

Please be aware that there are scam artist out there posing as students or a student parent.

They usually email you with nice letters about their child wanting to stay at your home and send you a check over and above the amount you discussed. Then the next email is that they are telling you a sad story and their dear daughter can't come and could you please wire the money back, but keep $1000 for your troubles.

NOT! The check won't clear, even if your bank says it looks good, it's not! These types of scams count on developing a "relationship" with you by email and phone.

After a few months, they send you an overpayment in the form of a fake cheque, and ask for a "re-imbursement" by money transfer. Often the victim will wire them money before the fake cheque clears. This is how they steal your money.Never send money to anyone that you don't know.

A person making a legitimate request will understand that they have to be patient and wait for the money to clear the bank (7 days or more).

Most guests may pay you a small deposit to hold the room up front, but usually you are paid when they arrive.

There are so many wonderful Hosts and Students looking for each other. We want to support the legitimate Hosts and Students and help everyone Stay Safe and find good Homestays!

We are looking for Writers who would like to contribute to our blog. Hosts and Students are welcome to share there insight and knowledge with our readers. you can email me; email: admin@homesstay.com we loved to hear from you!

- - - - - - - - - - - Advertise your home with us and Find your Perfect House Guest!

2007-12-23T16:52:00.000-08:00

Invite World Travelers Or Students Studying Abroad To Share Your Home and Lifestyle. Can you offer a safe and comfortable environment to a student or world traveler? Would you like to earn some extra money? If so, why not advertise your property as a Homestay? Renting out your spare room or rooms in your home as a “Homestay Host” is a great home-based business that enables thousands of people like yourself to make extra income and meet interesting people from around the globe.

At HomestayCentral.com our goal is to bring Homestay owners and guests together directly through a unique online database system.

People that are considering traveling to a foreign country realize that one of their biggest concerns is the standard of living accommodation they will find when they arrive. This is where Homestay Central can help!

Guests and Hosts can browse through our online database where they can view and read many details about their potential Homestay or Guest before making their final decision. List your information in our data base and let Homestay Central do the rest. You will be contacted directly by a potential guest or Host Family. It's that Simple. So what are you waiting for? Let the world come to you.

Renting out those spare bedrooms can be profitable and rewarding if you manage it properly. So before you open your doors you need to read this first!

Homestay 101 for Hosts

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

We are looking for Writers who would like to contribute to our blog. Hosts and Students are welcome to share their insight and knowledge with our readers. you can email us; email:admin@homesstay.com/ we would love to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions for Hosts

2007-12-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

Homestay Hosts FAQs

How To be

A Successful Homestay Hosts - How do I get started?

Be well informed before you open your doors to guests.

"Research shows that the vast majority of Students and traveling visitors find their Homestay homes on-line." So by advertising your room for rent is the best way for International Students and traveling visitors to find you! Make sure to evaluate your lifestyle first. Answer the 10-question quiz on on page 15 in the Homestay 101 for Hosts guide book available through Amazon.com .

Contact your local international schools and other organizations and have them send you their application forms. Fill out all material and contact information, with a follow-up on your application with the coordinator in charge. It is always a good idea to keep in contact with the organization that you are dealing with and establish a professional relationship.

Is Homestay only for students? No. Homestay Guests can range from working professionals, students, and visiting travelers to whole families.

You Earn as they Learn

What is the difference between Homestay and Bed & Breakfast?Most Bed & Breakfast establishments offer a one or two night stay for their Guest. So a personal relationship is never really developed between the Host and Guest. A full breakfast is served in the morning and that is, in most cases, the only meal included in their stay. Homestay Guests are here for a greater length of time and, in most cases, develop a relationship with the homeowner. Depending on what type of Homestay style you choose, many of your Guests will spend morning and evening dinners with you and your family.

Do I need to be home in the evenings? This question is answered based on what style of Homestay you are running and the age of your Guest/student. If the agreement includes dinner, then dinner should be provided. If you have a young Guest, they should accompany you and not be left home alone in the evenings.

For more details and Q/A get a copy of Homestay 101 for Hosts.

Is it necessary that I be home for their arrival and departure? Yes! Hosting is just that! You are the Host and need to be present when a new Guest arrives as well as when they depart. Welcoming and proper orientation to your home and everyone living there is required.

When and how do I get paid? A Homestay fee usually starts and is paid on the day that they arrive. This fee is paid on that same date every month. Your Guest will pay you directly. Please note! Do not send any money or banking information to a guest if you are asked-this in most cases is a fraud email!

Should I allow my Guest to use my telephone? Most Guests will purchase a cell phone if they are planning to stay for any considerable amount of time. Show them where they can go to get them started. If they do not have a cell-phone, you may wish to get a separate phone line installed for your guests. (Optional) This frees up your personal line. It also frees you from taking messages for them all the time. The internet is a life line for communication to family and friends back home.

I seem to be having difficulties with conversing and understanding my guest. Most Homestay students will have studied their host country language before arrival. However, books do not prepare them for daily language conversation. As a Homestay Host you may need to, on occasion, seek out help from someone fluent in your Guest’s language. Look for support from the school or organization or other Homestay Hosts. Most International Students can read English, So writing out your question to them works best in many cases.

Food, why won't my Guest eat all the foods I cook? This is the most popular question by far! Food can be an issue. We all have an attachment to Mom’s cooking. Almost everything you serve is going to be new to them. Some Guests do not want to try new and different foods or just want to eat only their own foods. They are here to live our culture and mealtime is part of that experience. So it may take some time for them to start to enjoy your great cooking.

You may find that some guests will eat very little in the beginning for fear of gaining weight. Try having a culture night every once in a while and prepare foods that they’re accustomed to. This will give them a dinner to look forward to and you can expand your cooking capabilities as well! Find out what is a main staple in their home land and have it on hand-these can be comfort foods for many International Guests. Try to serve these staples often, the small cost and time and effort is the difference between a good host and a great host! (e.g. rice, Kim-Chi, limes, etc.).

Is my Guest responsible to clean their room? Yes! Some Guests may not be used to tidying their room or making their beds. Explain to them how this is done. Some Hosts prefer to clean their guestrooms. Have a regular time for cleaning and inform your Guest in advance before entering their room.

Should I have locks on the Guest rooms? Yes! Unless you are hosting a very young student, I highly recommend that the Guest have the option of locking his/her door. This gives them the sense of privacy and independence. They trust their Host, but they may feel more comfortable with this option. It also discourages young children from entering the room or any unexpected visits from pets. “I always let my Guest know well in advance if I need to enter their room for vacuuming or what have you.”

Be Open-minded Having an overseas Guest definitely means being open-minded! Both YOU and your Guest are being exposed to new ideas and new information, so you need to be patient and take the time needed to explain why things are done a certain way. Don’t lose perspective of who they are and where they are from. Some Host families try to mold their Guest into their world. If you are expecting your Guest to always think and act the same way you do, it may be a sign that hosting may not be for you.

Where can I get more information and help?

Right here! http://www.HomestayCentral.com/ works hard to bring you great stories and much needed advice.

Homestay Coordinators – at International schools and Homestay agencies – are there for your support! They are selected for their people skills, organization and educational backgrounds. They are genuinely dedicated to the well being of the guest and host. They will answer questions, direct you to references, and help with solving problems.

HomestayCentral is a great web-site discussion board where you can find the answers to many of your questions we are here to help. We are the most informative Homestay site on the web. If you would like to find out more on How-To Host International Guests in your home, we highly recommend you get your copy of Homestay 101 for Hosts today, avaliable on Amazon.com

Talk Soon!

Cheryl

HomestaySpecialist

We are looking for writers, Hosts/Students who would like to contribute to our Homestay e-magazine to share your knowledge and insight with our growing number of readers. So if you are a happy helpful person who likes to talk and write it down, this may be of interest to you. Get published !

Contact:

I would love to hear from you

cherylv@telus.net

Go Homestay!

2007-11-06T09:42:00.000-08:00

Thinking about Studying Abroad?

Is this your your first Time to live away from home?

Traveling to

Vancouver,

Toronto,

Montreal,

LA,

New York,

Australia, Malaysia, Germany, India, China, or the UK?

All of these places and more… are exciting places to go, but for some, this can also bring unanticipated anxiety.

Students and or Traveling visitors might find some things difficult to understand and adjust to in a foreign country and it is nice to have someone to ask Questions, show you around, go shopping with, ect. All of these things can make a huge difference in how you adjust to your new environment.

This is why Homestay is the best way to start your transition into a new country. Most Homestay Families are everyday families, raising their children, working, shopping and doing the things families always do.

These are families, who are willing to include new people into their lives. They do this by taking you in, sharing their home, their family and their time.

Most Students studying abroad often form long lasting bonds of friendship with these families and learn important things about life as a result.

Searching for a homestay? This is a great place to start! Just post your desired information here Find A Homestay and let a Homestay Host contact you or go through the Host List and find your ideal home-away-from-home.

We hope that you and your Host family become good friends and create good ever lasting memories.

Talk Soon!

Today’s NEW Landlord

2007-10-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what it would be like … welcoming world travelers to share your “Home Sweet Home”? Can you picture yourself using your hosting, cooking and decorating ideas to bring unforgettable memories to an International Guest? As a Homestay Host, you can live in and work from your home, as well as meet new and interesting visitors from all over the world!

An empty bedroom or two or maybe even three! A guesthouse or maybe an entire apartment! All of these vacant rooms can become Guest accommodations and work to earn some additional income. Guests will stay and are prepared to pay for the comfort of your home.

In our busy, often chaotic world of juggling work and family, many people are re-examining their ideals, priorities and lifestyles. With inflation, taxes and the cost of owning and running a home increasing, more and more people are looking for alternative ways to supplement their income by working from their home. For many homeowners Homestay is the answer!

“Culture-Travel” has created its own industry! With international boundaries lifting, the nations of the world are blending together creating this wonderful cultural fusion. Countless young people are continuing their post-secondary education abroad. Many interns, working professionals and exploring adults are traveling by using work, student and visitor visas to increase their experience with other cultures and languages. A great many of these “International Guests” are coming to Canada, the U.S., Europe, Australia and New Zealand.Although we don’t think of education as an industry, that’s exactly what it is. And, on a worldwide scale, it’s worth billions! With all this currency arriving into the local economies, homeowners are opening up their doors and welcoming this cultural exchange and opportunities provided by these foreign visitors.

Homestay provides the opportunity to use that “extra” bedroom as Guest accommodation and offer a safe, welcoming “home-away-from–home” environment for International Visitors from around the world. What a great way to really get to know people from other cultures AND to put your home to work!

There is such an increased demand for Homestay accommodation it has become the fastest growing segment of the accommodation industry. It is the most often-used manner of accommodation for overseas Guests, and countless people are inviting these Guests to stay in their homes. For more information on setting up your home go www.homestaycentral.com

Why Choose a Homestay?

2007-10-22T22:10:00.000-07:00

Imagine you're headed for an area where the culture,food and language are completely unfamiliar to you. You could choose a cheap hostel, but you may find yourself completely lost in trying to get to know the place. Staying with a local family means you'll adjust to the local lifestyle quickly, you'll be immersed in the culture the moment you step into your hosts' home. You'll be listening to the language around you, you'll be enjoying unfamiliar foods and you'll quickly get the inside scoop on where to go and what to do (and what not to do). Choosing a homestay means a commitment to immersion in the culture through communication with your hosts. What's Expected of me? The first thing you need to do is to be yourself. Your host family has chosen to make homestay offers for a variety of reasons; mainly, they want to know about you and your culture and introduce you to their country. Talk, talk, talk! Be polite, maybe offer to help with household chores, keep your bedroom tidy, don't venture out without telling your hosts where you'll be going and when you can be expected back, in general, be the perfect guest. And expect to enjoy a great adventure!

Who are Homestay Students?

2007-10-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

Students, interns and visiting professionals are just a few of the International Guests that prefer Homestay as their means of accommodation.

There is a good chance that a family you know has hosted a student or traveling visitor from another country. Maybe it was a neighbor, friend or colleague, or perhaps you have hosted one of these young ambassadors yourself.

Homestay is one of the big selling points in the language industry with “Home” being the most important word.

Not all Homestay Guests are students, but they are a very big part of this ever-growing group of cultural visitors. Other types of Guests include women’s alumni groups, various professional groups, tourist groups looking to live and explore locally, or even people who want to work in a foreign country during their travels. These are examples of part of this growing trend where potential Guests wish to live the experience of a different lifestyle in the comforts of a family home.

To read more information on being a great Homestay Host get your copy a Homestay 101 for Hosts!

Hosts can advertise their rooms for Guests to see worldwide at http://www.homestaycentral.com/

Happy Homestay Guest

Have a room to spare somewhere?

2007-10-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

The Government will help you earn from it.

Anushree Madan Mohan

Monday, January 08, 2007 22:11 IS

MUMBAI: Dilip Dixit is a retired service man who owns a 710 sq ft house in Pune.With space to let, he’s hoping to join the country’s first-ever `Bed & Breakfast’ scheme, which has been launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Inspired by the success of European ‘flop-houses’ or B&B centres, this scheme is expected to boost the fortunes of property owners like Dixit and of Indian tourism per se, which is growing at 25% annually.

The term ‘B&B’ has its genesis in Great Britain, but its practice began in the Middle Ages when monasteries housed travellers. Its escalating success in recent times is credited to the Internet and online bookings and pricey hotel tariffs.

India’s pioneering B&B scheme aims to provide standardised homestay facilities to tourists in metros and other destinations across India. Goa, Alibaug, Nashik, Shirdi are just some of the hot B&B spots earmarked by the government. The scheme hopes to also address the accommodation crunch in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, in addition to these vacation spots. Property owners aren’t complaining.

Says Dixit: “Since I am a retired person, the income would be beneficial to me. The accommodation that I am offering is spacious and clean. Huge hotels charge at the very least Rs 3,000-4,000 per night. The price-tag that I would ask for would be much lesser, say around Rs 500-1,000 per night.”

Dixit is cheered by the safety net inherent in a government-led scheme. The recent murder of the British tourist Stephen Bennett in Goa has made everyone wary, house-owners and tourists alike, he believes.

“The biggest attraction of this scheme is the fact that it comes with government approval stamped on it.” Ministry circles are enthused about the prospects of B&B. C Gangadhar, assistant director, India Tourism told DNA Money: The basic idea is to provide a clean and affordable place for foreigners and domestic tourists alike, including an opportunity for foreign tourists to stay with an Indian family and experience Indian customs, traditions and authentic Indian cuisine. The total number of tourists who visited Mumbai in 1997 was 6.95 lakh, while in 2006 it topped 8.25 lakh.

How the scheme works Seems like there will be different beds and breakfasts. The B&B scheme will be classified as follows: Standard and Premium. The ministry has formed a Regional Classification Committee, which will inspect and classify the B&B establishments based on the facilities, area and services offered. The committee consists of principal secretary (Tourism State Government), regional director (India Tourism), representatives from IATO, representatives from State Tourism Department etc.

The downside is that there’s a deposit fee of Rs 3,000 (standard) and Rs.5000 (premium) that is charged with the submission of the form.

Says Dixit: “If the ministry rejects the form on the basis of a technicality, the amount that I have paid will not be refunded. I would have to look at the check-list a lot more carefully.”

Explains Gangadhar: “It is the house-owner who decides what amount is charged from a tourist for x number of days. We only intervene in cases where we feel that the rates are over-the-top.” “The fact that a premise is available as B&B is communicated via our 23 offices in India and 13 offices abroad. We also have a website-Incredible India! where an ad will be placed.”

Says Gangadhar: “It helps us understand just how many residents are open to the idea. This form of accommodation has become a necessity in metros. It’s an entirely new concept and we are getting a lot of queries. The idea is that the residents should maintain their way of life, and yet house tourists.”

India will be hosting mega-watt global events like the 2014 Asian Games in Delhi. Media reports state that there is a demand for 30,000 hotel rooms in Delhi and only 10,000 hotel rooms are available.

The B&B scheme hopes to effectively tap at least some of the nearly 18,000 spare rooms available in the residential sector in the capital, thus addressing the acute accomodation shortage during such seasons.

If this home tourism effort takes off, it could be a cost-effective option for tourists and a golden goose for retired middle-class folks like Dixit. Indian tourism could also get quite comfortable with such room service.

Turn down the covers.

*source http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1073418

Orientation to Your Home

2007-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

You are responsible for introducing your home to your New Guest. I strongly recommend that you introduce the Guest to all members of the household as soon as possible.

Be aware that certain things that we take for granted could be very unfamiliar to an International Guest. It is important to ensure that your Guest knows how to use all the house facilities. Be patient with them and show them what to do by giving them an orientation to your home.

Explain your family daily routines, schedules, and expectations. Remember that the guests/student’s assumptions may be quite different from yours – he/she may have no idea why something is important to you.

It is totally up to you what can be used and what your Guest cannot use in your home. Please use good judgment and check to make sure that they have completely understood your directions.

You may wish to repeat the orientation again in a week or two and clarify any new questions that have come up.

The many excerpts on this blog can be found in my best selling book Homestay 101 for Hosts

Get your copy of: Homestay 101 for Hosts

What Homestay Is NOT!

2007-09-24T15:26:00.000-07:00

A Homestay is not the same as a typical bed and breakfast, where a Guest stays for one or two nights and where a full buffet style breakfast is included in their stay. It’s also not a hotel, a motel, nor any other commercialized residence.

Homestay Guests are just that: GUESTS! These Guests are not babysitters or domestic help. As Guests, they should never be expected to mind your children or clean up areas of the home that is not used by them. They are paying Guests. However, sometimes your Guest will help you with dishes and little household chores. Discuss this with the Homestay organizer and check their policy on this issue in order to reach a balance.

A Host family should not expect the Guest to be used to their own advantage. Expecting to provide a companion for children should not be your primary reason for becoming a Homestay Host.

Homestay Guests should not be used as a means to save a difficult marriage or for any financial problems that you may have. Be certain that meeting that next month’s mortgage payment or those unpaid bills are not your primary reason for hosting. I have personally observed situations where there have not been enough funds left at the end of the month to properly care for their Guests. Do not depend on this as your only source of income, at least until you have your Homestay well established. Remember, your reputation as a good Homestay is at risk and it maybe just a matter of time before you are not considered as a suitable Homestay.

While most companies try to screen the Homestay Host and the accommodations, this process is not always satisfactory and some unsuitable Hosts do slip through. The selection of Host families as well as the assignment of the International Guest to a Host home must be done without discrimination. If you have any prejudice against religion, race, sex or color, this type of business is not for you. If you have strong religious beliefs, do not assume that hosting these foreign Guests will conform them to your way of thinking or convert to your faith. The Host family must respect their Guest’s religious belief or lack of.

Homestay Hosts should approach this opportunity for all the right reasons. The most important purpose for a Host family is to be able to share their home and themselves.

Below-I found this today on YouTube. A good example of What Not To Do!

Homestay e-Magazine we will bring you great stories and information you cant find anywhere else on Homestay Life, so keep posted and don't forget to add us to your favorites! This article and more can be found in your copy of Homestay 101 for Hosts available on www.amazon.ca

2007-09-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

Defining Homestay

What exactly is Homestay?

The first thing we need to do is explain what exactly a Homestay Home is! Homestay is not a hotel, a motel, nor a typical B&B. Homestay is a non-commercialized, private residence with paying Guest(s) who enjoy staying in the comfort and security of a family home. Further, these guests will reside in the family home for an extended period of time, months or sometimes even years.

Homestay is a homeowner–occupied private residence where the primary purpose of the home is the residence, and the secondary purpose is providing accommodation to a few paying guests. It is safe, affordable housing for international students, interns, traveling professionals and adult visitors from other countries, who are looking to experience and learn your lifestyle. Homestay is a home-away-from-home.

A Homestay is typically located in a residential area where the Homestay Host welcomes one or more Guests to share their home. The homeowner may have one or more rooms to rent. It is usually a very relaxed type of accommodation, keeping the majority of space for the Hosts family. Homestay is comparable to the so-called bed and breakfast that is so popular in European countries.

Many people believe that it is totally illegal to rent out part of their residence. In most jurisdictions it is perfectly legal to share your house with a limited number of unrelated people who pay you rent. Your local zoning office can help you out and answer any questions you may have.

To find out how you can become a Homestay Host get your copy of:

Homestay 101 for Hosts: How to Start and Run a Successful Homestay

Get it now! Purchase a copy on-line at www.Amazon.ca

Hockey Homestay in Canada

2007-03-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

A home for hockey

By Don Fennell
Sports Editor, Mar 29 2007

Chan Woo Lee, 13, stands outside his home-away-from home—the Garbo residence.

Blame the Internet for Chan Woo Lee’s fascination with ice hockey.

The young Korean student was scanning the world wide web one day a few years ago when he saw a hockey photo. It captivated him, so much so that he decided to take up the traditional North American game rather than a customary martial art like taekwondo or a sport such as badminton.

But after playing a little hockey in Korea, it soon become apparent that Lee was pretty good. So he asked his parents if he could continue learning the game in Canada. His wish was granted this season when, through family, the 13-year-old joined a Richmond Bantam team.

The best, however, was yet to come.

Family House Rules for Homestays in America

2007-03-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

We’ve found that setting the house rules is the key in creating a good home stay environment. Here are some of the rules we try to establish as soon as the student arrives - if you’re going to do this, certainly you should come up with your own.

Laundry - How to use the machine, detergent, dryer and how often do you allow it to be used. If you’re hosting exchange students from Japan for example, they have the tendency to want to do laundry nearly every day - even if they’re just washing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt! We have to tell them to combine 3 or 4 days of clothes before running the machine.

Showers - It’s good to put a time limit on the shower. Many Japanese homestay students can make a picnic out of bath time if you let them. Setting a time limit will keep peace in your home and make sure you don’t run out of hot water. Most Japanese homes use heat exchangers instead of a conventional water heater (with a big water tank), this means that they don’t know that you can run out of hot water.

Showers/Bathrooms part 2 - Don’t assume your Japanese exchange student knows that the shower curtain is meant to keep the water INSIDE the bathtub. Japanese baths (furo) are VERY different from American style bathrooms and many don’t know that our bathroom floors are not meant to get wet. We’ve had a couple of flooding incidents.

Locking the door - Teach them how to lock the door. Sounds really basic but we’ve found that this is always a problem. For Japanese exchange students you should understand that most door knobs in Japan don’t have locks in them; they are used to a knob plus deadbolt type of situation. So the concept of a lock built into a door knob is just different for them.

Food policies - Our rule for food is simple, if you see it you can eat it. But as a host family, we do set parameters for eating in the bedrooms. We recently hosted a teenage girl who gave new meaning to the word “slob.” This rule will now become a little stricter now.

Dinner time - Tell your homestay when to expect to eat dinner. We say be home by 7pm if you want to eat with us, or you can eat by yourself later. Because we have a small child, our time is ruled by his schedule and we won’t wait for the student to show up before eating.

Chores - Nobody gets a free ride in our house as we are not running a hotel. As such we tell our homestay that we expect them to clean their rooms and bathroom, to do their own laundry, and to help with the dishes. Having the student help with dinner or dishes is also a good time to talk and spend time with the student. Japanese girls are usually pretty good about this, but the boys…

Going out policies - If our exchange student is a minor (under 18), we don’t allow them to go out at night without an adult. For us, most of our students are adults, so we want them to go out and explore. Our only rule here is that they call us to let us know if they will be home for dinner, and what time do they expect to be home.

Family outings - All of our exchange students are invited to all family outings. It’s up to them if they want to come our not, but we set a condition that they are included.

Phone calls - After a few bad experiences, we block international calling from our home phone. We tell our homestay students to buy phone cards if they want to call home.

Internet - We provide broadband Internet in our homestay rooms but we do monitor usage (remember, I’m kind of a computer guy too) by checking our router logs. By reviewing my router logs, I don’t invade their privacy, but I can tell how they are using my Internet connection. I warn them to not use peer-to-peer networks or I’ll shut them off.

by-NetSato - Homestay, Japan, Hawaii, Parenting & Computers www.netsato.com/2006/02/28/host-family-house-rules-for-homestays/

A Great Guest Room

2007-02-23T17:18:00.000-08:00

Preparing the Space

The room you are renting to your Guests is one of the most important parts of running a Homestay. Your Guest will spend a great deal of time in their room.

All rooms should be bright and clean, with a working window to the exterior wall. The room should be large enough to accommodate a bed and dresser, closet and a desk with some room left over for living space.

There are many ways to make the guest room attractive such as coordinating the room colours with linens, towels etc. Make an effort to create an inviting, attractive atmosphere. Consider the kinds of things you would like to find in a guest room.

Remember, a fair amount of time is spent in the rooms, so a reasonable amount of moving around space is essential. The room size minimum should be at least 8’x10’ or larger. Proper heat and ventilation are necessary.

Also, all bedrooms must legally have an OPENING WINDOW. Each municipality has bylaws dealing with the minimum size and location of opening windows in bedrooms. This is important for fire egress (fire exit).

It is a “private” room — this is their space and needs to be respected. Families are requested to respect their Guest’s privacy and possessions, so let your Guests know well in advance before entering their room for such things as vacuuming, changing linen or making repairs.

Excerpt from the book Homestay 101 for Hosts. Find out more at http://www.amazon.ca/Homestay-101-Hosts-Complete-Successful/dp/097803810X

The Floating Homestay

2007-02-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

Houseboat holiday

10 Feb 2007

SULAIMAN JAAFAR

-------------------------------------------------------------

The river gently laps the houseboat and the slow rhythmic rocking can almost put you to sleep. Welcome to an charming floating holiday by the banks of Sungai Kelantan in downtown Kota Baru. SULAIMAN JAAFAR writes.

YOU can get down to do some leisurely reading as you immerse yourself in the rich, old world ambience of Malay wood carvings.

Or you can cast a lazy line and hope for a bite as the houseboat gently rocks.

Despite the unassuming name, the Floating Homestay has been attracting thousands of visitors, both local and foreign, since it opened for business in 2000.

Unlike others found in Kashmir or in the country, the Floating Homestay has been described by guests as a floating palace and one of Kelantan's best kept secrets.

Built like a traditional Kelantanese Malay house, it has an attap roof and sports bamboo wall panels.

The verandahs are adorned with exquisite dark wood carvings while the rooms are filled with prized antique furniture.

Floating Homestay owner Nik Ismail Salleh, 52, said his houseboat was previously a floating hostel for backpackers.

"My family decided to upgrade the place and we wanted to build something that would be remembered by visitors.

"So we decided to build it up as a sort of stay-in museum that would showcase our Kelantanese Malay culture."

The houseboat covers about 2,800 sq metres and has four bedrooms with bathrooms attached, a living room and a kitchen.

Rooms cost an average of RM200 a night.

Unlike other homestay establishments, Floating Homestay serves no food or drinks. Guests can make use of the kitchen to prepare their own meals and drinks or buy them outside and dine at the boathouse.

The houseboat was built by five local workmen and completed in about four months at a cost of RM200,000.

"They first constructed the floor and frame.

"The bamboo panels, specially ordered from Kampung Talak, Tumpat, were then installed, followed by the rembia roof," Nik Ismail explained.

Nik Ismail said unlike traditional houseboats, his homestay uses plastic containers as pontoons instead of bamboo.

"Using plastic is cheaper as bamboo is expensive and has to be changed every four years," he said.

Nik Ismail, who does not receive walk-in guests, said most of his local guests are regulars, and recommended by friends and other clients.

Foreign guests are referred by Kuala Lumpur-based tour agency Peterson Travel Service.

His reason for being selective about his guests?

"Although we have a caretaker, the guests are on their own most of the time and we want to ensure that all our clients are able to relax comfortably without being disturbed by rowdy guests."

Responsible guests, said Nik Ismail, will also take care of the houseboat and the antiques which are prized family heirlooms.

Nik Ismail expects to receive more foreign guests next year as the Floating Homestay has been listed in the latest edition of Rough Guide, an international traveller's guide.

Nik Ismail, who has a pallet-making factory in Peringat, near Kota Baru, said the family did not take up the venture merely for profit.

"I am happy if we can break even," he said.

"Our aim is to showcase the local culture to visitors, especially those from abroad.

"And we are also able to provide part-time jobs for local residents."

Among the foreign guests who have been on the houseboat are Japanese, Americans, Scandinavians and Australians.

In anticipation of better response to his homestay programme, Nik Ismail is planning to build five more houseboats, including a double-storey one and a restaurant in the same area.

"The problem is convincing the authorities in giving approval. But we are confident it can become a major tourist attraction in the state."

Who are Homestay Hosts

2007-02-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Homestay Hosts come from all walks of life.

Homestay Hosts do not have to be a traditional nuclear family. Every Host family is different, just as every Host situation is different.

Singles … Couples … One or two parent families with children ... couples with no children, families with young children, teenage children … Extended families with live-in relatives … People with or without pets ... Many different races, nationalities and religions … Employed and Retirees. Baby boomers looking to supplement their income and empty nesters find this to be the perfect solution to utilize that empty space.

Homestay Hosts have the space and feel that they and their family will benefit …Every Host family is unique.Homestay Hosts have that extra space and feel that their family will benefit from this cross culture exchange experience. Every Host family is unique. Some are casual and some more formal; some hosts offer a more relaxed home style while others are a little more rigid. There is one thing that Host families have in common is that they love to meet new and interesting people and welcome them into their homes.

Often, parents of children find hosting an ideal way to bring in extra income while staying home with the family. Retirees find being a Host is a way to utilize an empty house due to the fact that the kids are grown and gone and the company is a bonus. Singles offer to share their accommodations to help out with their living expenses. Writers and artists find the freedom to work on their craft while a consultant runs their new home office and farmers welcome a second source of income.

Homestay e-Magazine we will bring you great stories and information you cant find anywhere else on Homestay Life, so keep posted and don't forget to add us to your favorites!

For more great stories/tips on Hosting International Students and setting up your home, get your copy of ~ Homestay 101 for Hosts go to: http://www.homesstay.com/ebook.php

Share your Homestay Host Stories!

2007-02-08T16:19:00.000-08:00

Are you a Homestay Host that would like to share your stories about your home and family with us? We would love to hear from you. You may post your stories here on our E-magazine. We will select stories that we feel will be interesting to our readers. So, go ahead post your story and your pics. You may include links too! Share It! A Day In the Life of a Homestay Host!

Canadian Culture and Chocolate Chip Cookies

2007-02-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

Last night, I promised the Chinese homestay students in my mother’s house that I would teach them how to make chocolate chip cookies.

I made a batch two weeks earlier - just to put my antique Hamilton Beach stand mixer to good use. The mixer was a relic from the 50s, acquired on a weekend getaway to Victoria with the Hopewells. The cookies were not from the original cookbook that came with the mixer, but a generic cookie recipe that goes as follows:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The wet stuff

1 cup of butter

1 tbsp vanilla

2 medium to large eggs

The dry stuff

3/4 cup of white sugar

3/4 cup of brown sugar

2.5 - 3 cups of flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips

1/2 cup of butterscotch chip

Preheat that oven to 350 degrees farenheit.

Basically, start by softening up that butter…you can use a microwave. Mix all wet ingredients in the same bowl. Mix the dry ingredients in another bowl. Beat the wet ingredients until fluffy. Gradually toss dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix well.

Scoop dough balls and place on a baking tray with enough space between (2cm). Bake for 14 - 16 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

*******************************************************

I made a print out of the basic recipe, outlining vocabulary for them. I made my batch of cookies using narration to teach them how to listen to my English, and pick out the sense instead of hanging on individual words and getting lost.

Next up was Lu Yang, the youngest in the house. At 19, he reminds me of my shiest boys from Changsha. Always stopping himself before finishing a sentence, he laughs nervously and buries his head in his hands when put in a situation when he could communicate with others.

He also irritated me like my shy students in Changsha: he tended to speak in Chinese rather than try to use what vocabulary he had to ask for help. And he tried to make his cookies by memory than by looking at the printed instructions.

I looked at “Eddie”, the other boy, whose English was much stronger. Lu Yang repeatedly ignored my suggestions to read the sheet, and do his vocabulary; so much was his desire to make his cookies and eat them, that he reckoned this exercise wasn’t one to take seriously enough.

“You’re the chef,” I threw my hands up and walked to the next room to watch a little bit of TV. If he didn’t listen to me, he could learn from his mistakes.

Mom tried to help Lu Yang when he couldn’t remember what came next in the process. Her eyes are weak, so team Iron Chef China plus mom were stuck for five minutes doing what should have taken 30 seconds.

In the end, Lu Yang got his cookies in the oven, and was overly pleased with himself.

Eddie was more thorough, but self-doubting. He reminded me of myself in Organic Chemistry at University. Lingering over every detail, uncertain.

They both came out with good cookies, and promptly gobbled them.

It was then time for some culture. Canadian Culture

Scott picked us up and I took the boys out on the town for a little bit of live music at an old haunt that’s tried and true: the Railway Club.

Last night, the Buttless Chaps were performing on stage. My fears for the night were realized when Scott and I basically talked amongst ourselves about Viviane, Jessica, womanly woes - my mind kept straying as we discussed this topic - alternative energy, and cross-Canada trips. With a pint of weak Guiness in hand, I offered the celebratory toast, and the homestays watched the mix of hot, luke-warm, and ice-cold Canadian girls meander through the pub. Scott and I weren’t oblivious to the women, but we were more engaged in discussing ideas for travel, alternatively deconstructing the female flake.

Eddie did fine, actually talking to other people in the pub. Lu Yang, at the age of 19, believing that seeing men and women kiss was disgusting, and feeling unconfident with his English, suffered quietly as the rest of us just chilled.

We walked about downtown Vancouver afterward, with me giving the boys an opportunity to have a guided, guarded tour of the scary nightlife.

An African man said ‘hello’ to the boys, prompting them to come into the bank where I was withdrawing money from an ATM.

“Cold outside?” I asked.

“No,” Eddie offered, “a black man said ‘hello’ to us, and we did not feel safe, so we came inside.”

I smiled, and resisted giving them a lecture on the race card.

I looked at the clubs, I would not fit into; Scott concurred. These places would make me feel the loneliest unless I went their with loads of friends.

Eddie concluded that there were not many Chinese people out on the street, frequenting these clubs. I wondered at that observation, given that there were Chinese people abounding, some wearing wigs, some with colored hair, others sporting tattoos.

So as we walked past each Chinese person I could pick out, I’d call out, “Chinese” within earshot of my homestay students, amusing Scott along the way.

And what is Canadian Culture?

I think the boys could see how youth and whatnot entertain themselves in Vancouver. But it’s much the same wherever you go.

I could answer that Canadian culture is Molson Canadian beer, hockey, late night shwarmas or as they call them in the UK and Australia, Kebabs.

But then, change the sport from Hockey to Football or Soccer, and you get any other country out there.

Author~ Robert Technorati Profile

The Thank You Gift

2007-02-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

The gift that just kept on giving

Not being Homestay hosts for very long Brian and Terry love to tell the story of the surprise gift that landed on their door one day from a very thankful Homestay Guest and the much appreciated family for taking such great care of their 17 year old boy for 8 months. José from Mexico had just said his good-byes two weeks before, when a call came from the immigration office that a parcel had arrived for them, but it must stay in quarantine for several days and could they please come down and fill out the appropriate paperwork.

A bit confused, they headed down to immigration only to find out that they had graciously inherited a new pet from their overly thankful Homestay Guest. Yes! A happy wrinkly puppy sat waiting for this family to take it home and love and care for it for the rest of its (waggy-tail) life to remember their time with José.

All they needed to do was fill out the necessary paper work. I am sure and with all expenses paid by the overly grateful Mexican family, you would think that this very rare and expensive purebred would be a welcome surprise for most.

The first month was great with the new member of the family the kids loved him and mom and dad seem to enjoy the funny little new addition to the family. But as time went on they became to notice that their new little friend was not doing so well. So off to the vet they go …

To make a long story short, the new friend became a very costly gift. Being such a rare breed, he was prone to many types of infections and he developed several different health problems. With many expensive trips to the vet that required numerous essential surgeries, this family was not prepared for such a financial burden.I am sure that the grateful Mexican family had no idea what kind of pressure they had placed on Brian and Terry. This gift was a well-intended loving expression of their appreciation … BUT .....

Note: each week Homestay e-Magazine we will bring you great stories and information you cant find anywhere else on Homestay Life, so keep posted and don't forget to add us to your favorites!

The economic spin-offs of International education are huge!

2007-02-04T09:07:00.000-08:00

With more than 130,000 foreign students coming on student visas to Canada every year, Canada offers a diverse international student community. To study in Canada or any other foreign country is an adventure and a challenge, and you should give careful consideration to where you wish to study in Canada to ensure it is a positive experience. This is something you should do before you even start to apply for your student visa to Canada.

That’s why we like to call it THE QUIET GIANT … these numbers are staggering!

Overall, 56,529 student visas – needed for study periods of six months or over in Canada – were issued in 2004, down from 60,212 in 2003 A more positive note, students from France, Germany, Taiwan and the UK increased by five per cent, nine per cent, 15 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

· One student can spend a total of $30,000 annually on tuition, living expenses, meals and recreation. This means that 1,000 students can spend $30 million annually. This is a significant influx of dollars into a community. The economic spin-offs of international education are huge!

· Although we don’t often think of education as an industry, that’s exactly what it is! And it is serious big business that can be worth billions to the economy.

· International schools are a big market. Many new or existing schools are joining in to capitalize on this booming industry.

~ Close to 700 million people world wide travel each year, and that number is expected to double to 1.4 billion people by the year 2020.

Schools and Organizations

2007-01-05T08:23:00.000-08:00

http://homestay101schoolsandorganizations.blogspot.com/