Homestay Program

International students who come to Mountain View School Division have the opportunity of a lifetime to live with a Canadian family.  Each student who comes is placed in a safe, friendly and positive home environment.  Students will have their own bedroom, are provided with three meals a day, and have access to internet, laundry facilities and much more.  The homestay experience allows students to learn about Canadian culture, improve their English and feel like part of a family while they are away from home.   

Students get to enjoy many first experiences while living with their Canadian family, whether it is a simple pleasure such as roasting a marshmallow on a fire, riding a bike for the first time, or building a snowman; or learning something new, such as cooking Canadian food, playing a new game together, or exploring the Canadian outdoors; or being able to experience Canadian celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Halloween or Christmas.

In addition, it is a chance for the international students to teach their homestay families about their culture.  Cultural exchange is an important part of the homestay program and accordingly, one of the primary reasons our homestay families choose to participate in this program. 

Mountain View School Division employs two homestay managers who carefully select trusted and respected families from our communities. The homestay managers work hard to make sure that students enjoy their stay in their new homes, through regular communication with the students and their homestay families.  All homestay families undergo a Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check.  Our homestay families must attend orientations and training sessions to become familiar with the program guidelines and best practices.

Students will receive information about their homestay family before they arrive and are encouraged to make contact with them before they come to Canada.  From the first time students meet their homestay family, until the time they leave, we guarantee that this will be an experience that students will never forget!