Benefits of hosting

Why Host a Student?

Being a host family is an unforgettable opportunity for all family members to experience a deep cultural exchange and build strong, lifelong personal connections in other countries. Hosting allows you to create a network of friends and new “family members” across the world.

MLI Homestay

Become a Host Family

The decision to welcome an international student into your home will provide a lifelong opportunity for your family, your community, and the student.

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Experience a deep cultural exchange and an educational enrichment for your own family, especially now when our opportunities for traveling abroad are limited

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Our eager, young students bring with them an infectious enthusiasm for Canada that can truly lift spirits across a community

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Build strong, lifelong personal connections in other countries

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Graciously welcoming promising young students can support local tourism and put small communities on the map!

Fill a spare room

A fun and educational way to fill a spare room in your home

Easy to apply

Filling in the online application is quick and easy. A few simple steps and you could be on your way to hosting a student

Compensation

Hosts receive tax-free compensation for hosting a student

Friendship

Make life-long friendships from around the world

Community

An opportunity to share your community with others from around the world, and learn about different cultures

Local Economy

Hosting a student in your home supports your local economy, including international education

Covid-19 Update and FAQ

MLI Homestay has proven its ability to safely operate a high school program during Covid-19

MLI Homestay has placed thousands of visitors from all over the world with caring host families over the past 25 years. We have had the pleasure of knowing that international children, teens and adults have been a part of a life-changing experience by staying with a Canadian host family.

MLI Homestay

Student experiences

International learning programs inject positive investments in our communities that continue to pay off long term.

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Our eager, young students bring with them an infectious enthusiasm for Canada that can truly lift spirits across a community during these trying times

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They give us each the global opportunity to learn about other cultures and perspectives, including how much we may have in common; this is especially valuable now as our own opportunities for travel are limited

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Diversifying our student populations enhances our own children’s education and can breed lifelong global connections for them

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Hosting international study programs enables schools to make investments for the benefit of our children, too

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Graciously welcoming these promising international students can support local tourism and put small communities on the map for future visitors to Canada

Application process in 6 steps

MLI Homestay takes time to get to know you and your family so that we can be sure that our host families and visitors are receiving the highest level of support and service.

Once your online application has been received, a representative of MLI Homestay will review the details and be in contact with you to verify the details and ensure that any missing information is completed.

Reference Check

We will ask for two references to be listed on your application form. We will contact these two references to discuss the program and listen to their reasons for recommending you to become an MLI Host Family.

Compensation

MLI Homestay will provide compensation to the family for hosting once the guest has arrived. This is a non-taxable benefit.

Home Visit

We will contact you to set up an appointment to visit your family at home. At this time we will discuss the requirements of the host family and the expectations of the visitor who will be staying in your home. You will have a chance to learn more about MLI Homestay, our services, and our staff. We will share the Host Family Agreement with you and review the details before asking you to sign your agreement. We will be taking some pictures so that we will be able to include photos of your home and family in the Host Family Profile that is provided to your guest, as well as complete a Home Inspection and Safety Checklist.

Matching

Your information will be updated in our database and our team will work on matching you with an international visitor that has chosen to visit/study in your community. When the right visitor’s profile comes along you will be contacted by the Local Coordinator, matched, and receive a profile of your guest prior to their arrival.

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Criminal Record Check

To complete your application we require a Criminal Records Check for all members of your household who are 18 years or over. MLI Homestay covers the cost for the first 2, and all additional adults are at a reduced rate.

Support

MLI Homestay will keep in touch with you throughout your guest’s stay to ensure you have all the support you need. We offer 24/7 support for our guests and host families. You will be invited to join the MLI Homestay Community via our Social Media to interact with other host families, receive tips on hosting and share your heart-warming stories.

Application Process

In 6 Steps…

MLI Homestay takes time to get to know you and your family so that we can be sure that our host families and visitors are receiving the highest level of support and service.

Once your online application has been received, a representative of MLI Homestay will review the details and be in contact with you to verify the details and ensure that any missing information is completed.

1. Reference Check

We will ask for two references to be listed on your application form. We will contact these two references to discuss the program and listen to their reasons for recommending you to become an MLI Host Family.

2. Home Visit

We will contact you to set up an appointment to visit your family at home. At this time we will discuss the requirements of the host family and the expectations of the visitor who will be staying in your home. You will have a chance to learn more about MLI Homestay, our services, and our staff. We will share the Host Family Agreement with you and review the details before asking you to sign your agreement. We will be taking some pictures so that we will be able to include photos of your home and family in the Host Family Profile that is provided to your guest, as well as complete a Home Inspection and Safety Checklist.

3. Criminal Record Check

To complete your application we require a Criminal Records Check for all members of your household who are 18 years or over. MLI Homestay covers the cost for the first 2, and all additional adults are at a reduced rate.

4. Compensation

MLI Homestay will provide compensation to the family for hosting once the guest has arrived. This is a non-taxable benefit.

5. Matching

Your information will be updated in our database and our team will work on matching you with an international visitor that has chosen to visit/study in your community. When the right visitor’s profile comes along you will be contacted by the Local Coordinator, matched, and receive a profile of your guest prior to their arrival.

6. Support

MLI Homestay will keep in touch with you throughout your guest’s stay to ensure you have all the support you need. We offer 24/7 support for our guests and host families. You will be invited to join the MLI Homestay Community via our Social Media to interact with other host families, receive tips on hosting and share your heart-warming stories.

One Family’s Story

“We have loved hosting students over the last several years. This is our first year with MLI and MLI Homestay has been absolutely amazing. Communication is open at all times and they respond in a timely fashion. The students we have had placed with us have been wonderful – zero issues. I would high recommend hosting with MLI and will continue to host students through them for as long as we can!”

KatherineCornwall, Ontario

MLI Homestay

Apply to host an international Student!

MLI Homestay is looking for host families in your community to welcome international students into their homes.