The Heart of Homestay: Creating Meaningful Connections When Hosting International Students

Open yourself up to the homestay experience and bring the world to your family.

Every year, thousands of students from around the world come to Canada, Australia, the U.K., and the U.S. for an immersive, educational experience. Helping them to get the most of their overseas adventure are the homestay families who open their hearts and homes to these students. But beyond the usual tips on meal preparation and culture shock, what does it take to have success as a homestay family? If you’re ready to ask deeper questions, this collection of stories and guidance has your answers.

In The Heart of Homestay, Jennifer Robin Wilson draws on her two decades of experience working in the homestay industry to provide an honest and comprehensive portrayal of the homestay experience. By sharing real stories from a vast network of homestay families, Wilson shows the benefits of bringing an international student into your home while also being real about the challenges that can arise. From first impressions and settling in to navigating cultural differences with compassion, communicating through language barriers, and what to do when it’s time to say goodbye, Wilson guides you through countless scenarios to bring you closer to the experience.

No matter what stage of the homestay journey you are in, this book is a resource you will return to again and again. And you’ll learn that while there is a lot to consider when choosing to open your home to a stranger, once you do, your family will grow further abroad than you ever imagined.

Jennifer Robin Wilson is the board chair of Canada Homestay Network, a family business she joined in 2005, becoming the CEO from 2010 to 2022. Wilson has a strong connection with the homestay community as both a former international student and host. Wilson is also a writer, consultant, Certified Organizational Coach and Associate Certified Coach, and will be completing an MFA in 2025. She has two adult children and currently lives in Victoria with her husband.