Why be a Homestay Family?

Involvement in the Study Manitoba Homestay Program offers a range of benefits to Homestay families, including:

• a new perspective on our culture, as seen through the eyes of your student
• the opportunity to make a difference to a young citizen of the world, our most valuable resource
• a monthly stipend of $700 to support groceries and quality of life activities
• encouraging families to do things together
• develop lasting friendships with the student and his or her international family
• opportunity to learn another language for interest or travel
• learning about another culture’s traditions and customs
• encouraging families to explore Manitoba and Canada — as ambassadors to our community
• orientation and support from the Study Manitoba team

The Study Manitoba Homestay Program also offers a range of benefits to the school and local community, including:

• economic and curricula benefits for the school
• support for local jobs in education and tourism
• promotion of tourism through visits by the student’s family and friends
• expenditure by international students in local businesses

What Homestay families provide:

• a private bedroom, desk and closet
• nutritious meals every day
• a patient, caring and friendly home atmosphere
• the same guidance and attention you would want for a loved one traveling internationally

If you would like more information about the homestay program or to refer a family, please contact us immediately.

Making Friends in Colombia

Students from around the world are choosing Manitoba as their preferred location to spend an academic program. Whether it be for a month or a full school year, they are excited about the calibre of education they are receiving and the friends they are making. The bonds they are forming with their homestay families and classmates are creating friendships that reach across miles and borders.

Study Manitoba is partnering with Colegio Nueva Inglaterra (New England School) in Bogota for an upcoming study tour. The New England School was founded in 1974 and has an enrolment of 1300 from Kindergarten to grade 11. The academic focus is English and student values.

Extra-curricular activities at the New England School include swimming and riding. They have several sports teams including soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis and skating.

Students, aged 13 to 17, taking part in this upcoming study tour will be placed in various communities around Southwestern Manitoba. They will attend regular classes and take part in extra-curricular activities during the school day and spend time with homestay families after school and on weekends.

Some fast facts on Colombia:

• In 2006, Lonely Planet picked Colombia as one of their top ten world destinations
• Found on the North Western coast of South America, Colombia has a population of over 46 million people
• It has the 3rd largest Spanish-speaking population in the world
• The capital, Bogota has a population of over 8 million
• Today’s Colombia is an ethnically diverse mosaic of many cultures.
• Geographically varied, the country is comprised of the Andres mountains, where you will find most urban centers, the Amazon rainforest, tropical grasslands and coastlines of both the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans
• Colombia is part of the volcanically active “Ring of Fire” and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
• The country is made up of several mountain ranges including the Andes, the Cordillera Occidental, the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera Oriental.
• The political system is headed by the President of Columbia, the Vice president and the Council of Ministers, elected by popular vote.
• Main exports include: petroleum, coal, coffee and other agricultural produce, gold and emeralds. 70% of the cut flowers imported by the US are from Colombia.
• Colombia is rapidly becoming a draw for ecotourism because of its rich diversity of geography, flora and fauna. It is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Many children in Colombia begin their academic careers at a preschool academy until age 6 when they enter Primary Basic Education. They attend that school from grade 1 to 5 and then enrol in Secondary Basic Education from 6th to 9th grade. The 10th and 11th grade are Middle Vocational Education. During this time, students may train in different specialties (academic, technical, business, etc.)
• Upon successful completion of their middle education years, the high school graduate is known as a “bachiller” and they are eligible to access higher education.
• Some notable famous Colombians are singer Shakaira, actors John Leguizamo and Sofia Vergara and sports stars Edgar Renteria and Orlando Cabrera (baseball) and Juan Pablo Montoya(Nascar racer).

Homestay families are the heart of our international student program. We are seeking families who are healthy in their lifestyle and active in their communities. All types of families are welcome to apply: families with children at home, no children at home, single parents, retired couples. If your family is excited about the opportunity of welcoming an international student into your home as they immerse themselves in the English language and Canadian culture, we encourage you to apply today. Visit our website at www.studymanitoba.ca to find out more about our programs and complete the online application.

For more information, please contact Rhonda Simon at 483-6252 or email [email protected]