Host Orientation: Make sure your families are ready! Doug Ronson ESQ Educational Services CAPS-I presentation April 2015
That’s amoré! https://bop.fm/s/dean-martin/thats-amore
That’s amoré! When the moon hits your eye, Like a big pizza pie, That's amore. When an eel bites your hand, And that's not what you planned, That's a moray. When your horse chews dried grass, And then begs for more, alas, That's some more hay. When your sheep go to graze, In a damp marshy place, That's a moor, eh?
That’s amoré When a glacier's retreat Piles up stones at its feet, That's a moraine. When the palest young man Needs to get a good tan That's some more rays! When you ace your last tests, Like you did all the rest, That's some more A's
That’s amoré When a Japanese knight Used a sword in a fight That's Samurai When your chocolate graham With marshmallows gets crammed That's s'more, eh? I've gone on for too long, That's the end of my song, There's no more eh!
That’s amoré! • Learning English isn’t a piece of cake! • That’s amoré is a fun way to encourage hosts to be patient with students’ limited English
What is the purpose of host orientation?
What is the purpose of 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 • Host training is an investment that will pay dividends in student satisfaction and saving you time
Rose-coloured glasses The person with the most recent birthday please put on the glasses
Preparing your host families • Cultural differences • Communication styles vary between cultures • Managing host family expectations • Rights and responsibilities of the host family and of the student • Differing roles of women in Canada and other countries
Adjustment: The first few weeks • Welcoming your student
Adjustment: The first few weeks • Explaining your house rules and how things work • Bathroom orientation • Culture shock
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. A family friend who is a psychologist has offered to see the student for free. Should you accept this offer? • Yes • No
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 • For Asian students, it can be a big help to have a rice cooker • Hosts should have a plan for student laundry
Damage deposits How many programs here require damage deposits from students?
Scenario: Water damage You are a host parent. At the beginning of the homestay, you carefully explain how the bathroom works and the need to keep the shower curtain inside the bathtub. However, one day he forgets and there is water on the bathroom floor. He mops it up but some has already seeped through and damaged the ceiling on the floor below. Do you demand that the student pay for the repairs?
Preparing hosts for challenges • Expectations of your student around household chores • Telephone and internet use • Alcohol • Smoking • Boyfriends/girlfriends • Hosts must be extremely careful to make sure that their behaviour is appropriate
Scenario: The party You are a host parent. Your neighbours are also host parents and go away for the weekend. Their daughter, who is 18, has a large party at the home. The party is loud and disruptive and there is underage drinking. The daughter asks the student not to tell her parents about the party. The family’s student visits you the next day and says that while he did not take part in the party he is feeling uncomfortable. What will you do?
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.
Scenario: End of homestay You are a host parent. You have had some conflicts with your 18- year-old student but overall you feel it has gone well. A month before the end of the semester your student tells you that he has decided to change homestays for the next semester. You are surprised but don’t say anything. When the day comes to move to his new homestay about 5 km away, do you: • Call a taxi for him • Phone the new host parents and ask them to pick him up • Drive him to the new homestay
Some Golden Rules • Appreciate differences between cultures • Respect your student and expect respect in return • Set expectations early around being on time, keeping the bathroom clean, doing laundry and so on • Be patient • Have fun and laugh! Plan activities to share with your students. They will remember them for years to come.
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 can be a valuable resource for hosts: • Rights and responsibilities • Communication • Household appliances • Telephone and internet • Boyfriends/girlfriends …. And more
Services • Free monthly e-newsletter for homestay coordinators • Homestay guides for students in 8 languages • Host family guides
Questions? Comments?
Thank you! To subscribe to our free newsletter for homestay coordinators, please contact: Doug Ronson homestayguide@hotmail.com 613-888-9560 www.homestayguide.com
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