Host families are needed for the New Brunswick International Student Program.
Homestay coordinators try to find the best match for students from all over the world based on their hobbies and academic interests.
Students are testing on their proficiency with English and support is available if needed.
Debbie Thomas is the program administrator for southern New Brunswick.
She said international students come from countries all over the world and get placed in high schools from Sussex to St. Stephen.
“We cover a lot of area. I think that we do a pretty good job of matching the interests of the students with the homestays that are available,” Thomas said.
Families would be interviewed by a homestay coordinator and need to provide an international student with their own bedroom, three meals a day and internet access.
Thomas said they want host families to help students experience life in their communities.
“To show all the different aspects of where we live, that doesn’t mean you have to travel all over the province but it could mean you are visiting Rockwood Park in Saint John,” Thomas said.
Students from Finland, Mexico, Japan and Colombia have taken part in the program.
Thomas said some have stayed in New Brunswick and gone on to attend post-secondary institutions here.
Anh Andy Tran is a recent graduate and a participant in the New Brunswick International Student Program. The program is currently looking for host families for the forthcoming school year. pic.twitter.com/PFqmOoGYWl
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) June 29, 2021