Programs do their best to match students with a suitable family, and dietary or religious needs should be stated clearly on the homestay application.
- How matching works: Students complete an application describing their interests, hobbies, food and other preferences, and programs try to place them with a compatible family.
- State needs early: List halal, vegetarian, kosher or allergy requirements and any religious practice in detail. Early applications give coordinators more families to choose from.
- No guarantee: An exact match depends on which host families are available in that community. Ask the program to confirm in writing what the family has agreed to provide.
- Local availability: Larger cities usually offer more choice in specialty foods and places of worship than small towns. This is worth weighing when you choose a district.
- If it is not working: The homestay coordinator handles concerns about meals, and programs have a process for relocation where a placement cannot meet the student's needs.
Please note: Medical allergies should be documented separately and shared with both the school and the host family.
Official sources: CAPS-I: Accommodation for international students · CAPS-I: Standards of Practice
Would you like these answers applied to your child's situation?
An advisor reviews your child's grade, goals and budget and replies within 1 to 2 business days. The first consultation is free.
More questions on this topic
- Where do international students live: homestay or boarding school residence?
- How is homestay supervised, and how is my child's safety protected?
- How many meals a day does a homestay student receive?
- Can my child change host families if there is a problem?
- What is custodianship, and why is it required for younger students?
- Does the school or the agency provide custodianship support?
- Can a parent come to Canada and stay with the student?
- What are the curfew and sign-out rules for students living in a boarding residence?