Homestay in Quebec

Homestay in Quebec

Today, over 60,000 international students study in Quebec, and this number continues to grow. Students tend to choose schools in this province due to their affordability and high educational standards. Moreover, international students often use homestay in Quebec to experience Canadian culture and improve their French. It means living with the local family during studies in Canada. Before discussing homestay in more detail, it is worth discovering Quebec and the best schools for international students.

Overview of Quebec & Homestay in Quebec

Located in Central Canada, Quebec is the biggest province by area and the second biggest by population in Canada. Its total area is 1,542,056 km2, and the total population is 8,695,659 residents. Much of the population lives in the most populous city, Montreal, and the provincial capital, Quebec City. According to the census in 2021, in Quebec live people of more than 76 ethnic origins. The most prevailing ethnicities among them are French, Italian, Irish, English, Scottish, German, and Chinese.

Quebec differs from other Canadian provinces since French is the only official language, while English prevails in the rest of Canada. Except for French and English, the most spoken languages in the province are Spanish, Arabic, Italian, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Greek.

Quebec has an advanced market-based economy. The province produces most of Canada’s hydroelectricity and is the second biggest hydroelectricity producer in the world. The other significant industries are mining, agriculture, aerospace, finance, tourism, and IT. Also, Quebec is known for producing maple syrup and for making hockey one of the most popular sports in Canada. It is also recognized for its culture since the province produces various films, TV shows, literature, music, festivals, folklore, and more.

Quebec is arguably the culinary capital of Canada. Traditional cuisine is inspired by Quebec’s background and cultural diversity. One of the most popular French-Canadian dishes in the province is the poutine. It includes fries, cheese, gravy and optional toppings like bacon or steak. Other dishes that are worth trying are Montreal smoked meat, Montreal-style bagels, sugar pie, tourtiere, and baked beans in maple sauce. During homestay in Quebec, international students can enjoy all the traditional Canadian dishes.

Quebec is also home to various festivals, sights, and attractions. The most popular festivals are Osheaga Music and Art Festival, Montreal en Lumière, and Quebec Winter Carnival. International students who are interested in history can explore Quebec City’s UNESCO-designated Old Town during their homestay in Quebec. A province is also a great place for recreation since it offers plenty of outdoor activities like ice climbing, trekking, cycling, paddling, canoe camping, and sea kayaking. Those who are keen on hiking, skiing, and camping will appreciate the Vallée Bras-du-Nord.

Secondary and Post-Secondary Schools in Quebec: Homestay in Quebec

When international students know how to spend leisure time in Quebec, it is time to decide where to study. The education system of the province differs from the rest of Canada. It has five levels of education: preschool, primary school, secondary school, CEGEP, and university education.

Preschool education is optional. Mandatory elementary education spans from grade 1 to grade 6. It is worth mentioning that the secondary school has five grades, starting from the grade 7 and up to the grade 11. The education system of Quebec has no grade 12. After graduation from secondary school, students obtain their high school diploma. Quebec’s public education system has 60 French-language school service centers and nine English-language school boards dedicated to serving more than 2,700 schools.

Usually, international students start their studies in Canada from secondary schools. The most popular public French-speaking high schools for international students who offer help with a homestay in Quebec are École secondaire Massey-Vanier, Polyvalente de Charlesbourg, École secondaire Cavelier-De LaSalle, Académie Sainte-Marie, and École secondaire de la Cité.

Students who want to study in English-speaking institutions during the homestay in Quebec can apply to Royal West Academy, Royal Vale School, Riverside Regional High School, Queen Elizabeth High School, and Evergreen High School.

International students can also consider private secondary schools, such as Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, Bishop’s College School, Centennial Academy, Kells Academy, Kuper Academy, and St. George’s School of Montreal.

Once international students graduate from secondary school, they can apply to CEGEP. Colleges offer two-year pre-university diplomas and three-year vocational or technical diplomas. The high-ranked CEGEPs that can help international students with a homestay in Quebec are Dawson College, Vanier College, LaSalle College, John Abbott College, and Collège Ahuntsic.

The province also has 19 universities. The best-known universities in the country are English-speaking McGill University, Concordia University, Bishop’s University, and French-speaking Laval University, Université de Montréal, Université du Québec à Montréal.

Overview of Homestay in Quebec

When international students apply to educational institutions in Quebec, they ought to consider all available accommodation options. Still, the homestay in Quebec is the most rewarding option since students get a safe environment and support from the host family. Homestay can be provided by the school or a third-party organization. In general, there are three models of homestay in Quebec.

1. Schools offer homestay programs for all international students.
2. School administrations cooperate with accredited homestay agencies in the province.
3. Schools do not offer homestay programs but have a list of approved homestay providers for parents and international students.

Moreover, there are numerous private homestay agencies which offer homestay in Quebec. Nevertheless, they usually do not cooperate with schools and post-secondary institutions. Thus, parents who consider using the services of private agencies or arranging accommodation for international students with relatives ought to discuss this question with the school administration before making their decision.

Responsibilities of Host Families & Homestay in Quebec

Host families are carefully selected to meet the expectations of international students and educational institutions. Thus, they need to offer the best possible homestay in Quebec experience by following several rules.

1. Host parents must be over 25 years old.
2. The host family ought to speak French or English at home.
3. They need to ensure a caring and supportive environment for international students.
4. The host family must follow all rules and guidelines set by the homestay program provider and school.
5. They ought to make sure the house is safe and complies with the Quebec Construction Code.
6. The host family needs to prepare a clean and tidy private furnished room for the international student. They also should have access to a study area, the Internet, a bathroom, and laundry facilities.
7. They should help the student in seeking extracurricular activities.
8. The host family must set a curfew and house rules for the international student.
9. They need to inform the school and homestay program provider if the international student behaves inappropriately and breaks the law.

 

Responsibilities of International Students During the Homestay in Quebec

International students who take part in a homestay in Quebec program must abide by all rules set by the host family and the program provider.

1. They need to provide accurate and detailed information in the homestay application to be matched with the right host family.
2. Students must respect the host family and be responsible for their property.
3. They should become involved in host family life and community activities.
4. International students need to inform the host family, parents, custodian, school principal, or homestay program provider about significant issues or concerns.
5. They must change homestay in Quebec if the school concludes the accommodation to be unsafe.

Types of Homestay in Quebec

As a rule, homestay providers offer three types of accommodation. The full-board homestay in Quebec includes a private room, shared bathroom, access to the Internet, laundry, and three meals per day. The half-board homestay provides the same services but includes only breakfast and dinner. The third type of homestay in Quebec is roomstay, and it is only available for international students who are over 18 years old. It offers the same services as the other options, but it does not include a meal plan.

Homestay Fees in Quebec

During homestay in Quebec, international students must pay a fixed fee for a private room, meal plan, and various cultural experiences. On average, homestay in the province costs 800 to 1,300 CAD per month. The homestay fee depends on several factors, such as location, meal plan, facilities, and supplementary services.

 

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