Homestay in Edmonton

Homestay in Edmonton

When international students decide to study in Canada, they should choose the best city for them. Often, students consider Edmonton as a study destination since it offers high-quality education and affordable homestay. Homestay in Edmonton is a type of accommodation where international students live with the local family and experience Canadian culture first-hand. Before discussing homestay in Edmonton, it is worth discovering the peculiarities of the city and overviewing its educational institutions.

Overview of Edmonton

Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and the fifth biggest city in Canada. Its total area is 765.61 km2, and the total population is 1,010,899 residents. According to the recent census, the significant ethnic groups and origins in the city are English, Scottish, German, Irish, Ukrainian, South Asian, Chinese, Filipino, and Arab.

Edmonton is the main economic center in the province and a main center for the oil and gas industry. Known as the Oil Capital of Canada, the city is a hub for Albertan petrochemical industries and diamond mining operations. Edmonton is also a Gateway to the North because of its railway, road, and air connections to communities in the far north.

Edmonton is a cultural center of Alberta. It is one of the sunniest cities in the country, with an average of 325 sunny days per year. Edmonton is also known as Canada’s Festival City since it hosts a year-round slate of festivals. The most popular events are The Works Art & Design Festival, Edmonton International Street Performer’s Festival, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, and Edmonton International Fringe Festival.

The city also has fascinating landscapes. The Edmonton River Valley is the biggest urban park in North America. Its total area is 7,300 hectares. The park is bigger than all of Manhattan in New York City and 18 times bigger than Stanley Park in Vancouver.

The city is home to North America’s second-biggest mall, West Edmonton Mall. Locals call it The Mall or West Ed. It has over 800 shops and service providers. The West Ed is the second most visited in Canada, after Eaton Center in Toronto. By the way, it receives more visitors than the Statue of Liberty and Disneyland combined. The Mall is visited by over 30 million people per year, making it the main attraction in Alberta. Thus, international students will have many things to explore in the West End during the homestay in Edmonton.

Secondary and Post-Secondary Schools in Edmonton

As a rule, international students who are accepted to secondary schools choose a homestay in Edmonton. The city has three school boards that manage public schools. Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic School District have English as a medium of instruction, while the Greater North Central Francophone Education Region has French.

International students who want to study in Edmonton can consider the best public English-speaking high schools, including Archbishop MacDonald High School, Millwoods Christian School, Lillian Osborne High School, Old Scona Academic High School, and Strathcona High School.

The most popular French-speaking high schools that can help international students with a homestay in Edmonton are École Maurice-Lavallée, École Publique Gabrielle-Roy, and École À la Découverte. By the way, Edmonton has several top-ranked private schools, such as Progressive Academy, Tempo School, and Edmonton Academy.

International students who are admitted to post-secondary schools also prefer a homestay in Edmonton. The renowned public schools are NorQuest College, the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and Concordia University of Edmonton.

Arrangement of Homestay in Edmonton

The homestay in Edmonton is provided by schools or third-party organizations. Thus, international students must ask the schools about their accommodation options before confirming admission. In general, homestay in Edmonton is offered under one of these models.

1. Schools have homestay programs for international students.
2. Schools cooperate with local homestay providers. These approved agencies arrange safe homestay in Edmonton for international students.
3. Schools prepare a list of approved homestay organizations for parents and international students.
4. Private homestay agencies offer homestay in Edmonton. Usually, they do not cooperate with public schools and post-secondary institutions. Thus, international students who consider using the services of private agencies must consult with the school administration.

Requirements for the Host Family

The school administrations and the approved providers of homestay in Edmonton want to be sure international students enjoy life and study in Canada. Hence, each host family needs to complete a thorough selection process.

1. Host parents ought to be above 25 years old and speak French or English at home.
2. Prospective host families must fill out the application that includes questions about the family members, their birth dates, occupations, hobbies, when they started to be hosts, and so on.
3. Homestay coordinators schedule interviews with the potential host families to verify the information and check a criminal record given by the Edmonton Police Commission.
4. Coordinators evaluate whether the households comply with the National Building Code Alberta and whether private rooms are furnished for international students.
5. Homestay coordinators score potential host families according to the designated selection process for the homestay in Edmonton.
6. Coordinators match international students with the approved host families who live an utmost 50 minutes by bus or metro from the school.

Facilities of Homestay in Edmonton

When parents and international students consider homestay in Edmonton, they ought to know about the offered facilities. As a rule, the host family has a private room with a bed and a desk for a student. However, international students should be ready for a shared bathroom since it is a common practice in Canadian homes. Students can also use the laundry facilities. In addition, international students have access to the internet, but limits for downloads should be discussed with the host family.

Considering the homestay in Edmonton, international students should select the meal plan. Students who wish to have three meals a day can choose the full-board homestay. Those who want to eat breakfast and dinner with the host family and have lunch at the school ought to choose the half-board homestay. International students who choose one of the mentioned plans must specify their eating options and food allergies in the homestay application to get matched with the right family. The homestay in Edmonton also has a roomstay option which does not include a meal plan and is only available for international students who are over 18 years old.

Homestay Fees in Edmonton

It is also worth mentioning service fees for homestay in Edmonton. Usually, the roomstay option costs 700 CAD, while a full-board homestay can cost about 1,000 CAD per month. Homestay fees depend on meal plans, facilities, and location. However, homestay in Edmonton is worth it since international students live with the approved host family and get to know Canadian culture better.

 

Responsibilities of International Students During the Homestay in Edmonton

The host families want to make international students feel safe and comfortable. Still, all families have their rules and traditions. They will explain everything you need to know, but you are free to ask questions if you do not understand something. There are several general rules international students must follow before and during the homestay in Edmonton.

1. They ought to submit a detailed homestay application to be matched with the right host family.
2. International students need to respect the host family and their way of living.
3. They should be interested in the life of the host family and take part in community events.
4. Students must inform the parents, custodian, host family, school administration, or homestay coordinator about significant issues during the study in Canada.
5. They ought to change homestay if the school administration concludes the accommodation to be unsafe.

The first month of study and homestay in Edmonton can be challenging. You may feel frustrated with the new culture and language, but you must give yourself time to adjust to life in Canada. If you are concerned about something during your study and homestay in Edmonton, you can ask your teacher or coordinator for advice and an explanation.

 

In case, if you need help with Homestay and Custodianship in Edmonton or other cities in Canada, please fill in application below or contact us directly.