International Education Program at ALCDSB offers rewarding experiences for foreign students and local families
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Sisters Gabriela and Blanca of Madrid, Spain, have both experienced living with a Canadian Homestay family as part of the International Education Program at Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (ALCDSB).
Gabriela, now 19 years old, joined the program in the fall of 2018 and was placed with the O’Boyle Kelly family during her grade 10 year at Nicholson Catholic College (NCC) in Belleville. Her host siblings, twins Hannah and Chloe, were also attending NCC at the time. The girls had a few joint interests like skiing, shopping, paddle boarding and cycling.
“Having host sisters to share in my experience made my time in Canada so special. I was able to practice the language and learn about Canadian culture first-hand,” says Gabriela.
In addition to learning Canadian culture and traditions around Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Gabriela took great joy in sharing Spanish traditions by introducing her host family to tapas and other traditional Spanish dishes.
“I taught my host parents how to make paella, a famous Spanish rice dish with chicken or seafood, vegetables, saffron and other spices, or another traditional dish called ensaladilla rusa, which is essentially a Spanish version of potato salad. I’ve also showed them the tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve,” she says.
Gabriela describes the O’Boyle Kelly family as her second family, and she credits her Homestay experience as playing a huge role in her personal development.
“Living in a familiar family environment helped and supported me in my success in the International Education program. By participating in family activities and going on trips, I was able to build a stronger family bond with them and be comfortable in my surroundings,” she says.
In 2021, Blanca, Gabriela’s younger sister, followed in her footsteps, securing a Homestay with the O’Boyle Kelly family where she too could attend school in Belleville. During Blanca’s grade 10 school year, Hannah and Chloe were away studying at university.
“Almost every month we took a driving trip, visiting different regions and towns, including one really long trip to visit Chloe in Halifax, where she is in her third year of studies at Dalhousie University,” says Blanca.
Blanca too considers the O’Boyle Kelly family to be a second home and was surprised by how comfortable she was at home and at school.
“Attending high school in Canada was so fun, the teachers were very friendly – always looking for ways to help. There were so many clubs and sports to join which made it so easy to make friends,” she explains.
Blanca will carry on her studies in Madrid for her grade 11 year but will never forget the incredible Homestay experience she had with her Canadian host family.
“They are my second family and I miss them a lot. They are very nice people, and I would never forget them or my year in Canada. It was amazing and definitely the best year of my entire life,” she says.
Interested in becoming a Homestay family to an international student this September? Plan to attend an information session led by the ALCDSB International Education team to find out how hosting students from around the world can be an enriching experience for all. No registration required.
Homestay Program Information Session:
East Region ALCDSB Schools
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School
130 Russell St., Kingston
West Region ALCDSB Schools
Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School
135 Adam St., Belleville
Homestay families are provided $970/month to accommodate additional costs incurred by adding another member to your family.
To learn more about Homestay and the ALCDSB’s International Education program click here.
This story was provided by Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board for commercial purposes.