When I was younger I read a book, about people who lived in a village, where some people came to visit, and they were greeted as "Strangers from Away" and introduced to the other villagers as "one is from away".. that expression has stuck with me throughout the intervening years.
The Canadian Homeschooler is running a blog theme " Summer Learning. Ideas for how to provide learning opportunities throughout the summer. " One of the learning events we have done for the past few summers is have an international student stay with us. We work with Nacel Homestay. They do pay us a stipend to help with costs of hosting a student (extra gas, food etc.. you won't grow rich, but it more than defrays costs).
The Canadian Homeschooler is running a blog theme " Summer Learning. Ideas for how to provide learning opportunities throughout the summer. " One of the learning events we have done for the past few summers is have an international student stay with us. We work with Nacel Homestay. They do pay us a stipend to help with costs of hosting a student (extra gas, food etc.. you won't grow rich, but it more than defrays costs).
I would strongly advise anyone to try hosting a student, we have found them to be delightful young people, and it is lovely to see our homeland through their eyes.
Our student this year comes from France.
We have introduced him to the joys of archery. He told us: "I like this sport, it is harder than I thought it would be".
Our student this year comes from France.
We have introduced him to the joys of archery. He told us: "I like this sport, it is harder than I thought it would be".
Working at the Foodbank helped with discussions on how Canada cares for the poor and how France does. "We do nothing like this in France, sometimes restaurants will serve meals to poor, but no one helps them. The government helps them the medicine. But no thing else, This is good to do."
He wowed my son with his Knowledge of Minecraft and Pokemon. My son has recently discovered the joy of playing Pokemon Go...and to learn that there are tons of characters yet to be discovered has him totally amazed and wanting to know more about Pokemon. :)
The beach was "too cold" for this land from southern France, but he managed to show us his form in skipping stones. I can usually get four skips to a stone, but he was regularly getting seven skips. So he is definitely much better than I am. :)
He joined us for several bike rides, and I rediscovered how much fun it is to bike with a young fellow. My hubby likes to bike faster (which is good because he pushes me), my son is learning to bike faster and our student bikes at a perfect speed with excellent control. :) He also pushes me, but in a softer way than hubby does. :)
We learned that he likes the beauty of biking in the woods and gets contemplative easily.
We learned that he likes the beauty of biking in the woods and gets contemplative easily.
Camping overnight filled him with a complete joy. A time to swim (jumping off a platform several times) followed by a chance to read for an hour. Hotdogs for supper with fruit (this boy eats like I DO!!!! A first!!!) Followed by fishing.. YAY!!! A first with a rod and reel, a time to think and read. It was good and he even found it funny that a fellow got all annoyed with him for fishing in "HIS SPOT" by the river...though he was very polite and left.
Our camping trip led to a day at Niagara Falls. Fun but busy day. We stopped at the Welland Canal, good time to ask questions about how the boats come in, to listen, question, read and learn. He has progressed so much in his English since coming here.
Our camping trip led to a day at Niagara Falls. Fun but busy day. We stopped at the Welland Canal, good time to ask questions about how the boats come in, to listen, question, read and learn. He has progressed so much in his English since coming here.
Part of hosting a student is to help them learn English better. We are required to teach 15 hours of English in the first two weeks they are hear. Our student this year made it easy for us in his wanting to read books, in talking and asking questions about what items are called, and in his willingness to write. I won't say that every student is willing to read, write or talk well...but this student was a joy to teach.
He was able to order his own meals when we went to Niagara Falls. A first! :)
By the way... the Create Your Own Burger "is the best hamburger at a fast food place. This is SO good."
He was able to order his own meals when we went to Niagara Falls. A first! :)
By the way... the Create Your Own Burger "is the best hamburger at a fast food place. This is SO good."
This week will bring our student having lunch out with a friend, a day at Canada's Wonderland (someone else driving), hopefully a meal at a friends house, working at the Foodbank and if nice in the afternoon a trip to the Pinery to swim or bike and maybe kayak (if we can sort that part out). And he leaves on Friday. We'll miss him, he's been a good "second son" for these past couple of weeks.
Why not try it yourself?
You'll learn about another country, have the joy of seeing your land through the eyes of another (like we have BIG cars) and lots of space and the houses, they are big! You'll learn something about yourself as well, and that's an excellent thing in and of itself.
So if you have an extra bed, give it a whirl...you'll be glad you did. :) Take in a student from away, it's a good thing.
To go the link up (live July 27) GO HERE.
Why not try it yourself?
You'll learn about another country, have the joy of seeing your land through the eyes of another (like we have BIG cars) and lots of space and the houses, they are big! You'll learn something about yourself as well, and that's an excellent thing in and of itself.
So if you have an extra bed, give it a whirl...you'll be glad you did. :) Take in a student from away, it's a good thing.
To go the link up (live July 27) GO HERE.
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