International Education Program at ALCDSB offers rewarding experiences for foreign students and local families

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For Kingston-based host parents Michael Muise and his wife Kathryn, having 16-year-old Andreas of Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany stay with them and their children Oliver (12 years old) and Ella (20 years old) in a Homestay arrangement was an incredibly rewarding experience.

“Being a Homestay family has been a wonderful experience. Our children have had the opportunity to learn more about the regions of Europe, hear about different cultures, cuisines and activities, and best of all, they’ve picked up bits and pieces of a new language!” says Muise.

By using language learning apps, the family were able to pick up common phrases in German, which helped connect them to the culture and make their international student feel at home.

The Muise family was able to provide Andreas with an authentic Canadian experience by celebrating holidays primarily exclusive to North American culture such as Halloween and Thanksgiving and by acknowledging Canadian traditions around Christmas and Easter.

“Holidays are a big deal around our house; it was a real treat to have Andreas be a part of them and for us to be able to learn how different they are for him back in Germany,” says Muise.

During Andreas’ stay the Muise family encouraged his exploration of the historic city of Kingston, they took him to the Nation’s capital city Ottawa to see the Parliament buildings and went skating on the Rideau Canal. Andreas was fortunate enough to visit Quebec during his Homestay, where he joined the Muise family on their annual skiing trip over the March break. In the summer months the Muise family brought Andreas to their family cottage and on a trip to Algonquin Provincial Park where the group fished and camped for four days.

“We really feel that our family has grown exponentially as a result of being a Host Family and while we were very sad to see Andreas go back home, we know that we now have extended family in Germany,” says Muise.

“By staying with the Muise family, I got to have a real Canadian experience,” says Andreas. “Staying with a Canadian family allows you to see Canada from their point of view, and it feels like a real home. You share holidays and meals together, take part in sports and family outings; it is like your own home back in your home country.”

Andreas was enrolled in the International Education program at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, where he attended grade 11 during the 2021-2022 school year.

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.