Enhancing Student Homestay Experience Through Host Orientation

Slide Note

Providing host orientation is crucial for student satisfaction in homestay programs. Well-prepared hosts lead to happier students, reduce the likelihood of homestay changes, and save time for coordinators. Understanding the top reasons students want to change homestays, such as food issues and communication barriers, helps in crafting effective orientation programs. Addressing common food-related concerns, managing expectations, and promoting cultural understanding can enhance the overall homestay experience.

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Host Orientation: Make sure your families are ready! Doug Ronson ESQ Educational Services OASDI Presentation June 2017

Why provide host orientation? Housing is one of the three pillars of student satisfaction, along with academics and social Well-prepared hosts are happier and you will retain them for longer Hosts will be able to resolve minor issues without involving the homestay coordinator. Saves you time Host training is an investment that will pay dividends in student satisfaction

The Optimal Length for Orientation Here are some approaches taken by different programs: Conduct orientation during the home visit/interview. About 1-2 hours Have a separate mandatory orientation of 2 hours in the evening Conduct orientation during the home visit and follow it up with an orientation meeting a month later Conduct a 5-hour orientation on the weekend

What should your orientation cover? To answer this, let s look at: What are the top 5 reasons students want to change homestays?

Top 5 Reasons Students Want to Move 1. Food issues 2. Family is only interested in money 3. Family does not speak English at home 4. Student doesn t like the food and family doesn t want them to cook 5. Phone, internet, computer issues

Host orientation: Food! Some common food issues: Student doesn t like the food Student says there is not enough Hosts say student s food is costing them too much money! (See Issue No. 2) Student doesn t like food and host won t let them cook

Student doesnt like food/not enough Cover this in student orientation materials Managing expectations Ask hosts to take the students when they shop Encourage hosts to meet students half way. For Asian students, a rice cooker is a great investment at just $14

Hosts: Student food costs too much Student: Host just wants more money What is the serving cost of: Roasting chicken Green beans Rice Salad with tomato, cucumbers

Hosts: Student food costs too much Student: Host just wants more money What is the serving cost of: Roasting chicken = $ 0.75 Green beans = $ 0.65 Rice = $ 0.22 Salad with tomato, cucumbers: $ 0.65 TOTAL = $2.27

Shopping tips for hosts Buy in bulk Look for sales Avoid expensive packaged and prepared foods Reuse leftovers for lunch or soup Buy vegetables in season Root vegetables are cheap and filling

Other key host orientation issues Managing both host and student expectations What is culture shock and what can you do? Effective communication with students Telephone and internet Pets Family members Appropriate behaviour Working with the homestay coordinator

Scenario: Student hiding in room You are a host parent. Your student arrived about four weeks ago and has said few words and spends most of her time on the computer in her room. At first, you thought she was just having trouble adjusting but now you are concerned that she may be depressed. What should you do?

Scenario: Missing valuables You are a host parent. Your student arrived two weeks ago and suddenly you notice that some valuable jewelry is missing from the master bedroom. Your spouse says you should search the student s luggage while he is at school. What should you do?

Plan in advance to avoid problems Put valuables away or store in a safe-deposit box Make sure your hosts have informed their insurance company that they will be hosting students

Conflict resolution What training do you provide to hosts about resolving conflicts with students?

Conflict resolution Training and orientation can help prevent conflicts Understanding cultural differences Encourage hosts and students to work out issues Deal with issues before they start to fester Advise hosts to pick their battles Communicate in person avoid texting and email If you do need to intervene, remain calm and respectful. Encourage both parties to forgive and move on

Supporting hosts Make sure that hosts know that you are there for them if they have issues or questions. Thank you cards and emails to your hosts. Host appreciation have students make a video, poem or other way of saying thanks. Periodic training sessions, such as dealing with specific cultural groups. Give hosts a break from hosting if you are worried that they are burning out.

Resources for student orientation The Essential Guide for Homestay Students Sixty-page guide Available in 8 versions: Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish

Host family orientation resources The Essential Guide for Host Families is a valuable resource for hosts: Rights and responsibilities Communication Household appliances Telephone and internet . And more CONTACT ME FOR A FREE SAMPLE

Homestay Manager Professional Development Conference Toronto, November 16-17, 2017 How to recruit great hosts Cross cultural communication Preventing homestay coordinator burnout Mental health and addictions Case studies of challenging homestay situations . And more

Homestay Manager Professional Development Conference Toronto, November 16-17, 2017 TO REGISTER By Friday, early bird pricing: $545 plus tax After Friday: $595 plus tax

Free monthly newsletter for homestay coordinators www.homestayguide.com or email me at: homestayguide@hotmail.com

ESL Testing for Placement and Measuring Progress iTEP SLATE Specially designed for secondary programs serving international students For information: douglasronson@yahoo.ca