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940 Industrial Road #1, Cranbrook, BC, 250.426.4201| Utility Links
School District 5
International Education
Host an International Student

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School District 5 invites families in Cranbrook, Fernie & Sparwood to host one or two international students in their home. Most students come from Germany, Mexico, Brazil, or Japan and will attend Grades 8 to 12 for either one semester (5 months) or one school year. Host families receive a tax-free allowance of $660 per month per student and vacation/weekend coverage is available. Complete information is included in our Host Family Information Package below.  You are also most welcome to contact our Program Director, Martin Ross, at (250) 417-2061 or martin.ross@sd5.bc.ca, or the homestay coordinator in your area: Ulli Murtagh in Cranbrook at (250) 489-3866 or ullimurtagh@shaw.ca; Kim Hopkins in Fernie at (250) 423-3191 or hopper4@telus.net; or Glenda Newsted in Sparwood at (778) 518-0496 or gnewsted@gmail.com.

 

Flag Girls Square S.jpgHost Family Information Package.pdfHost Family Information Package.pdf

 

What about Hosting Two Students?

 
We encourage empty-nester parents or any family to consider hosting two students from different countries.  Such double placements are consistently very successful because the students usually have a lot in common, communicate in English and help to entertain each other.

 

 

 

 

Benefits of Hosting International Students

 

Homestay families host students for many different reasons. Families enjoy getting to know young people from different countries, learning about their culture and hearing different languages spoken. Other host families have a heart for young people and love the additional activity, laughter and chatter their student brings to their home. But by far the greatest benefit is the lifelong friendships that often blossom between host parents and their host son or daughter. It’s amazing how many students return to Canada to visit their host family and friends, and it’s not uncommon for host parents to travel abroad to attend special occasions in their host student’s life!
 

 

Carolina Homestay (crop).jpgResponsibilities of Host Families

 

Host families provide a private bedroom, food for three meals per day, local transportation, high speed internet and, most importantly, a caring home environment. We also encourage families to involve their student in at least a couple of activities each month.