Homestay FAQ
Become a Homestay Host in the Cowichan Valley
Are you interested in opening your home to a young person from across the globe? Hosting an international student is a meaningful way to share your family life, culture, and community while gaining a rich cultural exchange in return. The Cowichan Valley International Student Program welcomes students from around the world to study in our schools and we rely on caring, supportive host families like yours to make their experience unforgettable. Whether you’re considering hosting for the first time or looking for more information, we’ve answered some of the most common questions below to help guide your decision.
How do I apply to join the homestay program?
Becoming a host family is a smooth and easy process! Please follow the steps below:
- Complete our online application. You should be able to complete this in 30-45 minutes.
- As part of the application, you will need to apply for a Criminal Record Check. A link to apply online, free of charge, will be provided within the application.
- Once we receive your completed Criminal Record Check, we will contact you to schedule a home visit.
- Once this is taken care of, you may be accepted as a host family for our program!
What does it mean to host a student with the Cowichan Valley School District?
Hosting means welcoming a student aged 14–18 into your home and daily life. You’ll provide a safe and supportive environment, healthy meals, transportation for activities, and emotional, social, and academic support.
Can single people, empty nesters, or retirees apply to be host families?
Absolutely! We welcome a wide variety of family types, including singles, couples without children, families with children, and retirees. What matters most is the ability to provide a warm, stable, and inclusive home.
What are the requirements to become a host family?
To host, you must:
- Be open to new cultures and willing to include your student in family life
- Provide a private bedroom with a desk, dresser, closet, and window
- Offer nutritious meals and snacks
- Have transportation to drive the student to school events, extracurriculars, and the airport
- Be available for school-organized field trips and activities
- Complete a background check for every household member over 18
- Provide personal references and participate in a home visit
How much transportation do I need to provide?
Students usually take the school bus to and from school. However, some support with transportation may occasionally be needed. Host families are expected to provide:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at the start and end of the student’s stay
- Medical visits and appointments
- Occasional transportation to and from drop-off location for school-organized field trips
- Reasonable local driving for sports practices, social events, and gatherings with friends
What type of room is required for a student?
Each student must have a private bedroom with:
- A window for natural light and ventilation
- A bed
- A desk for study
- A dresser
- A closet or suitable space to store clothing
Suites or separate accommodations are not permitted.
Are students covered with medical insurance?
Yes. All students are covered under private medical insurance for their first three months in Canada. Long term students (10 months) also belong to the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) after 3 months.
Are we responsible for the student’s school performance or behaviour?
Students are responsible for their own academics and behaviour, but host families are encouraged to provide support, structure, and encouragement — just as they would for their own children.
Why might I be refused as a homestay?
You may not be eligible to host if:
- You are less than 25 years old
- You don’t own or have access to a car
- You work shift hours that prevent you from being home during evenings or overnight
- You are unable to provide a clear criminal background check
- Your home does not meet the basic accommodation standards (e.g., no private room or shared with others)
- You are currently hosting students through other agencies or running short-term rentals like Airbnb
How much are host families paid?
Families receive $1,100 per month per student for the 2025/2026 school year. Payments are made electronically.
How long will a student stay with me?
We offer:
- Short-term placements (3 or 4 months)
- Long-term placements (5 to 10 months)
Where do the students come from?
We welcome students from over 20 countries! Students come from Europe, Asia, Central and South America and are usually between 14 and 18 years old, with most being 15-16.
How are students placed with families?
Placements are based on shared interests and family dynamics. That’s why it’s important to provide detailed information in your application about your family.
Can I host more than one student?
Yes. You may host up to two students at a time, but they must:
- Be the same gender
- Speak different first languages
Which school will the student attend?
Students attend the high school in your local catchment area, such as:
- Quw’utsun Secondary if you live in Duncan
- Frances Kelsey Secondary if you live in Mill Bay/Cobble Hill/Shawnigan Lake
- Chemainus Secondary if you live in Chemainus/Crofton
- Lake Cowichan Secondary if you live in Lake Cowichan.
Students typically ride the school bus to and from school.
Do students go home for Christmas?
Some students will travel home for the holidays, but most will stay with their host families over Christmas and other school breaks. All students return home for the summer holidays at the end of the school year.
What happens if I need to go away for a few days?
There are safety and liability concerns if a student is left unsupervised overnight. If you plan to be away, you must make alternate care arrangements for your student. Acceptable options include:
- Having another adult (25+ years old) stay in your home to supervise the student
- Arranging for the student to stay in another approved home, such as with a family friend or another host parent
Always inform your homestay coordinator of your plans ahead of time.
Can the student live in a separate suite?
No. Students must be integrated into your family home. They cannot live independently or in a separate suite due to their age and support needs.
Can I host other international students or do short-term rentals like Airbnb?
No. If you host a student with our program, you cannot host students from other programs, or operate a B&B or Airbnb at the same time.
Will I have support if there are any issues?
When you join our program, you will receive a homestay guidebook that outlines the hosting relationship. You will participate in a homestay orientation and cross-cultural workshop each year. You will have a dedicated homestay coordinator to guide you through the hosting experience. Your coordinator is available during business hours to provide answers, advice, and support. We also offer an emergency support system to respond to calls 24 hours per day, seven days per week. You will always be able to get a person on the phone to advise you.
What’s the best part about hosting?
Hosting an international student can be a life-changing and rewarding experience, offering the chance to build lifelong connections and expand your family’s cultural horizons.
