Discussion Sheet

Homestay Discussion Sheet

Below is a list of questions you should ask your Homestay host. The purpose of this activity is to help familiarize you with the daily routine and house rules. Your host family will do their best to make you comfortable. You are a guest in the host’s home, we ask that you make every effort to fit in with your host family. By setting guidelines and limits, we hope to eliminate any problems and provide you with a more positive homestay experience.

1. At what time do you usually eat dinner?

I understand that I need to phone you if I will not be home for dinner.

By what time do I need to call home to tell you this?

I understand that my family will eat dinner without me if I come home late.

I know that I will need to heat my food up on my own. Where will I find my dinner to heat up?

If I clean up after myself, am I allowed to cook in the kitchen at a convenient time? How late?

2. I understand that I can only use the phone when I am calling within Toronto. From what times may I receive phone calls? (For example, from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

Is there a limit to how long my calls should be at one time?

3. I understand that I have to ask permission for a friend to come over.

Am I allowed to have a friend over while you are not in the house?

4. When may I use the stereo, TV and DVD? (time range)

5. I understand that I should make sure the counters and floor are left dry after I have washed up.

When may I take a bath or shower? (time range)

How long should my bath or shower last? (For example, 15 – 20 mins.)

6. Do I wash my own laundry?

How many times a week may I do my laundry? (For example, once a week)

Some of my clothes need to hang dry. Where can I hang them?

7. Are there any special alarms that I should know about?

8. I understand that I must smoke outside my homestay. If I want to smoke outside, where should I put my cigarette butts?

Student Homestay Services reserves the right to remove any student from homestay who smokes anywhere in the home.

9. I understand that if I have an accident and something breaks or gets damaged, I must tell you right away.

10. Is there anything else I should know about the house?

11. There are some things that I would like you to know about me:

Tell your host family about the foods that you like and the foods that you don’t like.

Following is a copy of the Homestay agreement between CES Toronto and all Homestay families committed to hosting our students:

This agreement shall at all times govern the rights and obligations of the parties in respect of any and all students placed by CES Homestay Inc. in the residence of the Family and accommodation afforded by the Family to the students of CES Homestay Inc. from time to time.

FAMILY HOMESTAY AGREEMENT

You will provide room and board according to your habits and traditions and as directed by CES Homestay Inc. You will provide three healthy, adequate meals a day. Breakfast ranges from toast or cereal or eggs on weekdays to bacon and eggs, pancakes or muffins on weekends. Lunch should consist of a sandwich, a piece of fruit and a drink. Dinner selections vary with each host family. An evening meal will be prepared and left if you are not home or if the student comes home from school late. Snacks should be available to the student at any time.
You will provide basic furniture which includes a bed, closet and desk or study table, chair and good lighting in the student’s room. The room will not be shared without the consent of C.E.S. Homestay Inc.
The room that you have designated to C.E.S. Homestay Inc will be the room provided for the student during the duration of the homestay period. If a change is necessary, C.E.S. Homestay Inc. should be notified.
You will provide each student with a key to your house.
You must speak English when the student is present.
You will not require the student to provide a damage deposit or telephone deposit. C.E.S. Homestay Inc is not responsible for long distance phone calls made by the student or for any other expenses incurred while the student stays with you.
You will maintain comprehensive liability insurance on your property for the duration of this contract and will provide C.E.S. Homestay Inc with proof of such insurance upon request. C.E.S. Homestay Inc does not assume any responsibilities for injuries suffered by the student while in your care.
You will contact the Homestay Coordinator immediately if difficulties arise and work with the Coordinator towards resolving those issues.
You will not require or request the student to babysit. You will not require the Student to do housework apart from tidying up following a meal or snack, using the bathroom and keeping his/her own room clean.
You will treat the student with respect and tolerance and will not deal with the student in an aggressive or abusive manner.
You will show the student some places of interest in the community during the first couple of weeks and continue to include the student in the family’s activities for the duration of the student’s stay.
You are expected to provide a welcoming and secure environment. If it is discovered that there are problems in the home, such as alcohol or drug abuse, the student will be removed.
If improper physical advances towards a student occur, the student will be removed from the home and legal action taken if warranted. C.E.S. Homestay Inc. has the right to move a student without the usual advance notice if the situation is unsatisfactory. If you do not meet the requirements or criteria of the Homestay Program or breach any of the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, C.E.S. Homestay Inc. will have the right to immediately terminate your participation in the program.
C.E.S. Homestay Inc. will try to find the appropriate student placement but cannot guarantee that all of your requirements will be met. C.E.S. Homestay Inc cannot guarantee that you will be provided with a student each month.
You will not host two students who speak the same language unless specifically requested to do so by C.E.S. Homestay Inc.
You will not host more than three international students in the home at the same time.
If information in the homestay application form is incorrect, C.E.S. Homestay Inc will have the right to remove the student and/or terminate this Agreement.
You agree to meet each of your students at the airport upon arrival. If you are unable to go personally, you must notify the Homestay Coordinator in advance so that alternative arrangements can be made.
In the event you are away from home while you have a student you will ensure that you limit your absence to no more than three consecutive days and you also agree to make arrangements for someone to perform your obligations under this Agreement during your absence.
Except as provided in point 12, this Agreement may be terminated by C.E.S. Homestay Inc. upon 30 days notice.
You understand and agree that you will be paid on the second Wednesday of each study block. No deposit will be required of the student.
You agree not to accept direct payment from the student for homestay even if the student no longer takes courses at the school.
You will refund the balance of the remuneration to C.E.S. Homestay Inc. immediately if this Agreement is terminated by C.E.S. Homestay Inc.
You agree that you will release and hold C.E.S. Homestay Inc. harmless for any damages which you may suffer or claim which you have as a result of entering into this Agreement and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for any action or behaviour of the student during his/her stay with you. Students are bound by the same laws and statues as Canadian citizens. CES Homestay Inc. and their agents are in no way to be considered as having a legal guardian status or in any other manner responsible for the behaviour or actions of the student.

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