Family and Location

• You may be of foreign background but English must be spoken at home.
• You may have more than one student in your homestay. If there are more than 3, you must inform VANWEST COLLEGE.
• You must inform VANWEST COLLEGE of all nationalities in your house so that we do not put two students of the same language.
• Provide each student with a private comfortable bedroom which has a window, bed, closet, desk chair and good lighting and a dresser for their clothes.
• Provide a warm, healthy, secure environment for your students.
• Please help your students in emergencies. For example, medical emergencies.

Meals

• The meal plan that VanWest only offers is three meals per day, 7 days a week. An
  evening meal should be prepared and left if the family is not home for dinner, or if
  the student requests to eat dinner later.
• Breakfast is prepared by the student. Breakfast should include cereal, toast, milk,
  fruit, muffins, coffee, tea, juice, peanut butter or Nutella for their toast yogurt if
  wanted. A hot breakfast of eggs or pancakes can be eaten on the weekends.
• The student can make this or the homestay family can prepare it.
• A bagged lunch must be provided to take to school. A sandwich with fruit is a common
  lunch. Providing a leftover dinner for lunch sometimes may. Fruit snack and a drink.
• Must be available to have a sit down dinner with your student at least 4 times per
  week so you can talk and get to know them and help them practice their English.
• Please advise the student to inform you if they will be home late or skip dinner.
• Interact with the student on a daily basis and include them in appropriate activities.
• Cooking by a student is not permitted unless the host family allows it.

Internet

• High Speed Internet MUST be available and is included in the homestay fee. Responsible use by students is expected.

Phone

• No outgoing long distance calls are allowed using the home line.
• Permission from the family must be received for longer calls, on special occasions.

Keys

• Provide each student with a key to the house or the code for a residential alarm if
  one is used.
• In Canada, some bedrooms do not have a lock on it. Clearly explain to be careful of
  their valuables.

Bedding and Laundry

• Host family will provide sheets, blanket and pillow. Some students may need a towel.
• Laundry facility must be available at least once per week. Family will provide
  detergent.

Shower

• You must provide a time for minimum of 1 shower, 10-15 minutes per day.

Other

• Maintain a home owner’s insurance policy covering liability claims in respect of the
  student.
• Curfew for students younger than 19 years old is at 10 PM. Please report break of
  curfew.

Payments

• All payments for homestay must be paid through VANWEST COLLEGE’s homestay department
  only.
• Payment is mailed in the 1st week of the students’ classes.
• Maintain the homestay fee at the rate determined by VANWEST COLLEGE with no additional charges to the student such as damage or telephone deposits.
• If student wishes to extend, he/she must contact VANWEST COLLEGE.
• Students must not discuss payment with the family directly nor do the family discuss
  payments with students.
• Families going on vacation must give VANWEST COLLEGE 4 weeks’ notice minimum.

Important – If Family/Student is NOT Following This Policy

• If you are having difficulty with students not following the policy set above, please
  only contact the school.
• Contact VANWEST COLLEGE if problems arise between the student and any family members.
  Cooperate with VANWEST COLLEGE in trying to reach a reasonable solution for all
  concerned.
• Do not discuss the problem with the student. VANWEST COLLEGE will solve the problem
  appropriately and achieve the best result.
• Family must not share details about VANWEST COLLEGE payment plan with the students.
• VANWEST COLLEGE reserves the right to remove a student without the usual advance
  notice if the situation is unsatisfactory or if problems cannot be resolved between
  family members and student. When a student is moved the family must refund the
  remaining homestay fees for that month.
• The Host parents agree to assume all liability for loss or damage to their home caused by the student and hereby releases VANWEST COLLEGE from all liability arising out of
  participation in the program, including, without limitation, liability for property
  damage or loss or debts conduct and actions while in the homestay program.
• Have a Criminal record check for every member of the family over 19.