Interested in Hosting

BECOME A HOST FAMILY

Wonderful local families provide support and assistance while International students adapt to the lifestyle and demands of a Canadian culture and the Nanaimo Community. If interested in becoming a host we encourage you to read through this information.

Learn more about Host Benefits and Responsibilities.

Who can apply?

Any family, couple or single person (over the age of 25), with or without children can apply.

Hosts must live near the University. Host families should be less than a 45 minute travel time by bus this includes walking time from home to the bus stop. Host families must also meet our Home Requirements.

Application Process

Our Homestay Application is well-rounded processes to ensure we provide the best possible experiences for our students and also equip our hosts. 

Applications are processed in the order they are completed and take into consideration the following:

  • Location in proximity to Vancouver Island University
  • Willingness to host either male or female
  • Willingness to host either High School or University students
  • Willingness to host students from any country
  • Willingness to host students with particular dietary practices/restrictions
  • Meet proper home requirements

 

Making the Right Choice for You: If reading and hearing this information means that you feel that you would be a great fit for our program, please apply. Other options, may include posting your room for rent on Places4Students which is our off campus housing listing service for students

 

HOMESTAY HOST APPLICATION DEADLINES

Term

Application Deadlines

Homestay Start Date

Winter 2019

November 2 , 2018

January, 2019

 

APPLICATIONS FOR HOSTING ARE NOW CLOSED FOR SUMMER AND FALL 2018! THEY WILL REOPEN AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER!

Register online to attend  a Host Info Session  on date that works for you. Each session is held at 7:00 pm at the Centre for International Education (Building 255) in Room 205. This session will help you gain an understanding of hosting international students for the High School and University within the WorldVIU program. It will also provide an overview of host benefits, responsibilities, and home requirements.

ONLINE REGISTRATION 

APPLICATIONS ARE OPENING IN SEPTEMBER 2018 for Spring Semester 2019

This application is for people interested in joining the VIU Homestay program as Host Families. Please carefully read the questions and complete the application to the best of your ability. An incomplete application will not be considered. 

Application Process 

 1. 
Application

Read through the steps of the application process before beginning application

  1. Submit your application online

2. 
Document Collection

Those that meet requirements in step one will be prompted to submit:

  1. CRC (Criminal Record Check, with the Vulnerable Sector Verification, for anyone in the home 18 years or older)
  2. Family Photo of all members in the home, including pets (for our office only)
  3. Photo of the Front of the Home
  4. Signed Letter of Agreement

Please do not submit the supplementary documents until it is requested from the Homestay/Peerstay Office

3.
Interview and Home Inspection 
  1. The Homestay office will schedule an in-home interview and home inspection of the home and student rooms to ensure safety. This will take 1-2 hours and requires all household members to be present.

Homestay hosts are chosen for their  keen interest in other cultures, and commitment to providing a beneficial living experience to International students. Host families should be using English in their daily lives. The majority of our students take part in our program so they are able to live and study in an immersive English environment.

 4.
Training 

Learn tools to help prepare for you for your student

  1. Attend a 3 hour mandatory training session on homestay policies, cross-cultural communication, best practices, and emergency policies. 

 APPLY NOW

The Homestay host receives $850 per month for each student. While the Homestay without meals host receives $500 per month. When students are matched, they are provided a fee payment schedule indicating when and if the student will be paying their Homestay Fees. VIU students will advance their first two months of fees to the Homestay Office. The Homestay office will them pay fees directly to the host family on behalf of the student for the first part/full-month and the next full month. Students will then directly pay their hosts on the first day of the second full month.

Need more information?

Request Information

Want to talk to someone about specific questions?

Contact a Representative

Ready to join us at VIU?

Apply Online