A home from home

Southeast Winnipeg

When international students come to Canada to go to school, such a transition can potentially be a daunting prospect.

They must adapt to a new culture, and possibly a new language, customs, cuisine, and climate, too. In the case of the latter, the first time experiencing a Winnipeg winter might well be a ‘you have to feel it to believe it’ moment.

Louis Riel School Division — in the form of the International Student Program and LSRD Go Global — is inviting “community, colleagues and friends” to become part of its homestay program.

The program gives folks the chance to open their homes to visiting international high school students and help enhance their educational adventures and cultural aspects of their stay for the duration of their time in Winnipeg.

According to LRSD’s website, homestay families play an important role in the student experience, as they provide a safe, welcoming environment, meals, and a day-to-day support as students adjust to school and life in Canada.

“It’s about supporting global connections,” said Debra Parker, director of the international department at LRSD. “Our homestay families open their homes to foreign students studying here, and share their culture, their traditions, and their home. We want our families to get as much out of it as the students.”

Parker said students in the program represent more than 30 countries, and the students attend all of the division’s seven high schools in grades 9 through 12.

“We’re looking for families that are open, curious, and have a growth mindset — ideally Winnipeggers willing to be tourists in their own city, whether it’s visiting The Forks or museums, and share their holidays, traditions, and celebrations,” Parker said, noting the division is also always looking for respite families, who are able to accept “students in a pinch” for as little time as a week, or even a weekend.

“These homestay families really are a home away from home and can help make the experience life-changing.”

One seasoned homestay couple is Nina and Marc Lafleur, who have been opening their home to international students since 2014.

“We usually take one to two students per year … we’ve always been open to respite, too,” Marc said, noting the Lafleurs have hosted 27 youngsters from 10 countries in total.

Nina said the majority of their students – 16 of the 27 – have been from Brazil and Italy. They’ve also hosted teens from nations such as Belgium, China, France, Japan, Slovakia, and South Korea.

The St. Vital-based couple added they have many standout moments from their time as hosts, and sometimes these be simplest moments or touching things that leave a lasting impression.

“Some of these kids have never seen snow and are experiencing it for the first time — it’s their reactions that are so special, and some their reactions are different,” Nina said.

“When they leave, some of them leave special thank-yous and little notes, which is also really special,” Marc added, noting one girl had never ridden a bike before and another had never skated on ice before, and they cherish videos of experiences like these.

Nina said some people might be nervous about trying to be a homestay family, but it’s such a rewarding experience. And now the couple’s adult children no longer live at home, their student guests bring a lot of positive energy with them.

South St. Vital-based couple Dominic Courcelles and France Chartier have hosted two students since last September — one from Brazil and one from Italy.

“We have a couple of empty bedrooms in the house, and this is great opportunity to welcome young people into our home so they can learn and study and we can learn about each other’s cultures,” Courcelles said.

“It’s also about the relationships you end up having,” Chartier added. “We’ve only had two students so far, but the relationships we’ve developed have been incredible, and it’s been quite sad when one of the students leaves.”

Both Courcelles and Chartier are teachers in the division, at Collège Jeanne-Sauvé and École Marie-Anne-Gaboury, respectively.

LRSD Go Global carefully matches students and families, provides ongoing support and offers a monthly stipend to help offset living costs.

Go online at lrsd.net/isp for more information.