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Homestay students Sofia and Fernanda are pictured at a Winnipeg Blue Bombers game.<\/p>\n
The program gives folks the chance to open their homes to visiting international high school students and help enhance their educational adventures and cultural aspects of their stay for the duration of their time in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n
According to LRSD\u2019s website, homestay families play an important role in the student experience, as they provide a safe, welcoming environment, meals, and a day-to-day support as students adjust to school and life in Canada.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about supporting global connections,\u201d said Debra Parker, director of the international department at LRSD. \u201cOur homestay families open their homes to foreign students studying here, and share their culture, their traditions, and their home. We want our families to get as much out of it as the students.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parker said students in the program represent more than 30 countries, and the students attend all of the division\u2019s seven high schools in grades 9 through 12.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking for families that are open, curious, and have a growth mindset \u2014 ideally Winnipeggers willing to be tourists in their own city, whether it\u2019s visiting The Forks or museums, and share their holidays, traditions, and celebrations,\u201d Parker said, noting the division is also always looking for respite families, who are able to accept \u201cstudents in a pinch\u201d for as little time as a week, or even a weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese homestay families really are a home away from home and can help make the experience life-changing.\u201d<\/p>\n
One seasoned homestay couple is Nina and Marc Lafleur, who have been opening their home to international students since 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe usually take one to two students per year \u2026 we\u2019ve always been open to respite, too,\u201d Marc said, noting the Lafleurs have hosted 27 youngsters from 10 countries in total.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Supplied photo<\/p>\n Marc Lafleur is seen here teaching two homestay students, Sofia and Fernanda, to skate.<\/p>\n Nina said the majority of their students \u2013 16 of the 27 \u2013 have been from Brazil and Italy. They\u2019ve also hosted teens from nations such as Belgium, China, France, Japan, Slovakia, and South Korea.<\/p>\n The St. Vital-based couple added they have many standout moments from their time as hosts, and sometimes these be simplest moments or touching things that leave a lasting impression.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of these kids have never seen snow and are experiencing it for the first time \u2014 it\u2019s their reactions that are so special, and some their reactions are different,\u201d Nina said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen they leave, some of them leave special thank-yous and little notes, which is also really special,\u201d Marc added, noting one girl had never ridden a bike before and another had never skated on ice before, and they cherish videos of experiences like these.<\/p>\n Nina said some people might be nervous about trying to be a homestay family, but it\u2019s such a rewarding experience. And now the couple\u2019s adult children no longer live at home, their student guests bring a lot of positive energy with them.<\/p>\n South St. Vital-based couple Dominic Courcelles and France Chartier have hosted two students since last September \u2014 one from Brazil and one from Italy.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a couple of empty bedrooms in the house, and this is great opportunity to welcome young people into our home so they can learn and study and we can learn about each other\u2019s cultures,\u201d Courcelles said.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Supplied photo<\/p>\n Nina and Marc Lafleur are pictured here with Serena and Julia, two of the homestay students they have hosted in their St. Vital home. Louis Riel School Division \u2014 in the form of the International Student Program and LSRD Go Global \u2014 is inviting \u201ccommunity, colleagues and friends\u201d to become part of its homestay program.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s also about the relationships you end up having,\u201d Chartier added. \u201cWe\u2019ve only had two students so far, but the relationships we\u2019ve developed have been incredible, and it\u2019s been quite sad when one of the students leaves.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Courcelles and Chartier are teachers in the division, at Coll\u00e8ge Jeanne-Sauv\u00e9 and \u00c9cole Marie-Anne-Gaboury, respectively.<\/p>\n LRSD Go Global carefully matches students and families, provides ongoing support and offers a monthly stipend to help offset living costs.<\/p>\n Go online at lrsd.net\/isp for more information.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Simon Fuller Simon Fuller is a reporter\/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. Email him at simon.fuller@freepress.mb.ca or call him at 204-697-7111.<\/p>\n
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Community Journalist
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