Homestay in Calgary

Homestay in Calgary

Calgary is the biggest city in Alberta, the Canadian province, and one of the top study destinations among international students. In 2022, Calgary was ranked as the third most livable city in the world and first in Canada. Every year, about 2,000 students around the world decide to study in the city.

However, it can be hard to find the perfect accommodation for newcomers, and they usually apply to the educational institutions that offer homestay in Calgary. It is a priceless experience for international students since they live with the approved host family and broaden their horizons daily. But before discussing the homestay options, it might be interesting to learn more about the city and its schools.

Overview of Calgary

Calgary is the fourth-largest city in Canada. The total area of the city is 820.62 km2, and the total population is 1,306,784 citizens. Almost a quarter of Calgary’s population is foreign-born. Among ethnic origins, the main ones are British, German, Irish, French, Ukrainian, Chinese, Filipino, and Latin American. Except for English and French, the top five languages are Tagalog, Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Despite Calgary being known for its very rich petroleum industry, it is starting to become quite diversified into spheres like agriculture, high tech, and tourism. Other things the city is typically famous for are the best beef in the world and Banff National Park, which is just an hour’s drive away. 

Moreover, the 10-day annual Calgary Stampede is the largest rodeo in the world. That is why the city is often called Cowtown or Stampede City. Aside from the rodeo, the festival also features First Nations exhibits, concerts, a midway, chuckwagon racing, stage shows, agricultural competitions, and a parade. Thus, during the study and homestay in Calgary, international students have a chance to visit this fascinating event.

Secondary and Post-Secondary Schools in Calgary

Now, it is time to discover Calgary’s education system. Students ought to attend school for 13 years of study, from kindergarten to Grade 12. To graduate from high school, they must write provincial exams in English, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics. As a rule, international students can apply to secondary schools which run grades 7–12.

Public schools with English as a medium of instruction are managed by the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District board, while French-speaking schools are administered by the Southern Francophone Education Region No. 4. International students who consider homestay in Calgary and want to study at the public English-speaking schools can choose Centennial High School, Lord Beaverbrook High School, the Western Canada High School, Henry Wise Wood High School, or Sir Winston Churchill High School.

Also, Calgary offers several top-ranked charter public schools which have innovative and enhanced education programs. The best charter schools for international students that can help with a homestay in Calgary are Foundations for the Future Charter Academy, Calgary Arts Academy Society, and Almadina School Society. International students who want to study at schools with French as a medium of instruction can consider École de la Source, École Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys, and École de la Rose Sauvage.

Private schools in Calgary focus on specific educational methodologies. The high-ranked schools for international students are Bearspaw Christian School, Calgary French and International School, Master’s Academy, the Akram Jomaa Islamic School, and Mountain View Academy.

Homestay in Calgary is also popular among students who pursue post-secondary education. They prefer to study at public educational institutions, such as the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, Bow Valley College, Athabasca University, Mount Royal University, and Alberta University of the Arts. Some high-quality private post-secondary educational institutions in Calgary are Reeves College, Robertson College, Columbia College, Alberta Bible College, and CDI College.

Arrangement of Homestay in Calgary

As a rule, each school offers homestay in Calgary for international students. Hence, prospective students should ask the schools to provide them with their accommodation options before confirming admission. There are four models of homestay in Calgary.

1. Schools find host families for international students.
2. Schools have arrangements with local homestay providers. These approved companies offer safe homestay in Calgary for international students.
3. Schools prepare a list of approved agencies that help international students find homestay in Calgary.
4. Private homestay providers offer homestay in Calgary, but they do not cooperate with educational institutions. International students who consider hiring private agencies must consult with the school admission committee.

Requirements for the Host Family

International students will spend a lot of time with their host families. Thus, they ought to submit a detailed homestay application and specify their eating options to get matched with the right family. Also, the prospective host families must pass a comprehensive selection process by the school administration or the approved provider of homestay in Calgary.

1. Host parents need to be over 25 years old and speak English or French.
2. They ought to complete the application that includes questions about the family members, their hobbies, and so on.
3. Coordinators must interview potential host families to verify the information and check criminal records from the Calgary Police Service.
4. Homestay coordinators should decide whether the households comply with Alberta’s National Building Code and whether private rooms meet the needs of international students.
5. Coordinators score prospective host families according to the designated selection factors for the homestay in Calgary.
6. Homestay coordinators match international students with approved host families who live within a reasonable distance from the schools.

Facilities of Homestay in Calgary

Parents and international students who consider homestay in Calgary need to know about the provided facilities. The host family always offers a tidy and comfortable private room with a bed and a desk for international students. Still, shared bathrooms are a common practice in Canadian homes. International students also have access to the internet, but they need to discuss limits for downloads with the host family.

Students who consider homestay in Calgary should choose one of the meal plans. Those who want to have three meals a day must select the full-board homestay. Half-board homestay includes only breakfast and dinner. International students can have lunch at the school or cafe. The roomstay option of homestay in Calgary does not have a meal plan and is only available for international students who are above 18 years old.

Homestay Fees in Calgary

Fees for homestay in Calgary depend on location, meal plans, and facilities. As a rule, the roomstay option costs about $700, the half-board option costs $850, and the full-board homestay can cost over $1,000 per month.

Responsibilities of Host Families and International Students During the Homestay in Calgary

Approved host families must offer the best possible homestay in Calgary by following several rules.

1. First, it is worth mentioning that they ought to provide a caring and supportive environment for international students.
2. The host family needs to abide by all rules and guidelines set by the school or homestay program provider.
3. They should inform the school and homestay program provider about the inappropriate behaviour and law violation of international students.
4. The host parents must have a curfew and house rules for international students.

The host family will explain their rules and traditions to international students at the beginning, but they can ask questions when they need clarification. Overall, there are several general responsibilities of international students during the homestay in Calgary.

1. They must respect the host family and their way of living.
2. Students need to take part in community events and extracurricular activities.
3. They must inform the parents, host family, custodian, school administration, or homestay coordinator about any issues or challenges.

It can be challenging to get used to life and study in Calgary. International students can feel frustrated with the new culture, but they usually adjust to life in Canada within a month. Moreover, students can ask a mentor or coordinator for help during the study and homestay in Calgary.

 

In case, if you need help with finding homestay and custodianship in Calgary, please fill in application below or contact us directly.