Homestay in Toronto

Homestay in Toronto

Homestay is an essential part of the study abroad experience since it offers full immersion in the Canadian lifestyle and home away from home. Every year, more and more international students choose a homestay in Toronto rather than on-campus or off-campus accommodation. When you consider Toronto as your study destination, it is worth learning more about the city, local schools, and homestay peculiarities.

Overview of Toronto

Toronto, the capital of the province of Ontario, is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. The total area of the city is 630.2 km2, with a population of 2,794,356 citizens. It makes Toronto the most populated city in Canada and the fourth one in North America. The multicultural population of the city demonstrates its historical and current role as an important hub for immigrants.

Above 50 percent of Toronto’s residents belong to a visible minority population group, and nearly 200 ethnic origins are represented among its inhabitants. The three main ethnic origins are Chinese, English, and Canadian. Ethnic neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Greektown, Koreatown, Kensington Market, Little Italy, Little India, Little Portugal, Little Jamaica, and Roncesvalles (Polish community), also reflect Toronto’s diversity. While most citizens speak English as their primary language, above 160 languages are spoken across the city. Thus, the 911 emergency service is equipped to respond in over 150 languages.

Toronto is a global center of business, finance, arts, sports, and culture. During the homestay in Toronto, you can visit fascinating tourist destinations, such as museums, galleries, festivals, and sports events, which attract nearly 43 million tourists each year. The city is also famous for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, including the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing construction on land in the Western Hemisphere.

The equivalent to Wall Street in New York is Bay Street, the Financial District in Toronto. The city is home to the headquarters of Canada’s five largest banks, the Toronto Stock Exchange, and the headquarters of many Canadian and multinational corporations. Toronto’s economy is diversified, with a focus on technology, financial services, environmental innovation, education, arts, fashion, aerospace, design, food services, and tourism. By the way, the city is the third-biggest tech hub in North America after Silicon Valley and New York City.

Secondary and Post-Secondary Schools in Toronto

Homestay in Toronto is a perfect choice for minor international students. The four public school boards provide elementary and secondary education in Toronto. The Conseil scolaire Catholique MonAvenir and the Conseil scolaire Viamonde have French as a medium of instruction, while the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Toronto District School Board have English as a language of instruction. Additionally, the Conseil scolaire Catholique MonAvenir and the Toronto Catholic District School Board are separate public school boards, while the Conseil scolaire Viamonde and the Toronto District School Board are secular public school boards. The Toronto District School Board is the biggest one in the city since it manages 451 elementary schools, 105 secondary schools, and five adult learning centers.

Toronto is also home to various private elementary, secondary, and university-preparatory schools, operating as either non-denominational or faith-based educational institutions.

International students who pursue post-secondary education can also use homestay in Toronto. The city has numerous high-quality and affordable post-secondary institutions. Toronto hosts five public universities: the University of Toronto, York University, OCAD, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the Université de l’Ontario français. There are four public colleges based in the city: Centennial College, George Brown College, Humber College, and Seneca College.

Private universities of Toronto are Tyndale University and Yorkville University, which have the authority to confer certain academic degrees by the province through ministerial consent. The city also holds five faith-based private colleges and seminaries that have partial degree-granting powers: the Toronto Baptist Seminary and Bible College, Institute for Christian Studies, St. Philip’s Seminary, the Institute for Advanced Judaic Studies, and Talpiot College.

Overview of Homestay in Toronto

Once you choose the educational institution, it is time to organize a homestay in Toronto. You can contact the school board staff, a counselor in the post-secondary school or an agency that provides homestay services for international students. Typically, agencies have established reputations and extensive experience in working with host families, international students, and school boards. They are usually available 24 hours, seven days per week, to help international students find a suitable homestay in Toronto.

There are clearly outlined procedures in place to provide a variety of services to support international students, including a homestay in Toronto. All members of the Ontario Association of School Districts International (OASDI), public post-secondary schools, and homestay agencies must comply with the Canadian Association of Public Schools-International (CAPS-I) Standards of Practice and follow specific protocols and guidelines related to communication processes, selection of homestay families, monitoring of host families, and ongoing homestay support.

Requirements for Host Families

The school and the coordinator make every effort to place international students in a safe homestay in Toronto through a process of information gathering about the student and the host family. All international students need to complete an application form mentioning their hobbies, interests, nutritional requirements, and other important details. Based on this information, the homestay coordinator matches the student and the host family.

To be selected as a homestay family, they must meet the following criteria.

1. The homestay family ought to be ready to accept the international student as a member of their family.
2. They need to speak English or French as their first language at home.
3. The homestay family must complete an in-depth reference check.
4. They ought to pass a Criminal Record reference check.
5. The host family needs to follow the protocols and requirements of homestay in Toronto.
6. They should be interested in learning about other cultures.

Once the family is approved for homestay in Toronto, family members are expected to provide the following services for the international students.

1. They should offer an inviting, friendly and caring living environment.
2. The host family needs to provide healthy meals and snacks every day.
3. They must have a private furnished bedroom with a study area for the international student.
4. The homestay family ought to support, guide and encourage international students.
5. They need to invite the student to participate in family life and community events.

Once the counselor finds a homestay in Toronto for the international student, both parties get contact information and an orientation package of useful resources.

Types of Homestay in Toronto

There are three main types of homestay in Toronto. International students who want to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the host family should choose the full-board homestay. Students who tend to have breakfast and dinner at home and have lunch at the school cafeteria can opt for the half-board homestay.

The roomstay option of homestay in Toronto is only available for international students who are above 18 years old. It implies full independence for international students since meals are not included in the service. They can prepare meals by themselves or dine out.

Homestay Fees in Toronto

Homestay in Toronto is a bit more expensive than other types of accommodation in the city. Nevertheless, you get more personal time since the host family takes care of you. Generally, homestay in Toronto costs 900 to 1,300 CAD per month. The price depends on location, facilities, the number of meals, and supplementary services.

Advantages of Homestay in Toronto

It is hard to overestimate the importance of homestay in Toronto. The following are the main benefits of living with a Canadian family.

1. International students get a safe, caring, and supportive home life.
2. They have an opportunity to practice English or French daily.
3. International students meet a family who is a member of the local community. They know answers to questions which help students adapt to life in Canada.
4. Students experience the broad cultural diversity and the Canadian lifestyle.
5. International students make friendships that last a lifetime.

 

In case, if you need help with Homestay and Accommodation in Toronto, please fill in application below or contact us directly.