Your Home away from Home!
The VIU Homestay & Off-Campus Housing Office is working remotely! See how to contact us!
Homestay is a program designed to promote friendship, language learning and provide opportunities for cultural exchange between Canadian families and international students who attend Vancouver Island University or the High School at VIU. Local Nanaimo residents open their homes to students in order to welcome them into their families, homes and communities while the student is studying at VIU.
Experience living with a host family through the VIU Homestay Program. Our office carefully vets host families who are participating in our program through a number of methods and maintains an ongoing relationship with our host families. We regularly hear of life-long friendships that develop from these homestay experiences. In fact, many host families have traveled to their students' home countries to visit or for special occasions, such as weddings!
| VIU Homestay Program COVID-19 Resources |
| The VIU Homestay Program is currently accepting applications for students planning to live with a VIU homestay for the fall 2020 semester. Submit your application by July 19, 2020. Late applications will be accepted! |
Future Homestay Students
Learn more about living with a Canadian host family while you study at Vancouver Island University!
Apply Today!
Current Homestay Students
Resources and information for current Homestay Students. Download forms, handbooks, and complete Homestay homework.
Current Student Resources
Future Host Families
Are you interested in being a host family for international students studying at VIU and welcoming them into your home and family?
Learn more here!
Current Host Families
Resource materials and information for current VIU Host Families. Download forms, host manuals, and details on emergency procedures.
Current Homestay Family Resources