A Christchurch family’s experience hosting international students

Why the McCaskey family are full-time homestay hosts for international students

Opening your home to international students is about much more than providing a place to stay. After hosting a student from Japan for five days, the McCaskey family found the experience to be incredibly meaningful. Since then, the local Christchurch family has become full-time homestay hosts and are now going on nearly ten years of welcoming students from around the world into their home.

Why the McCaskey family decided to host international students

When Vivien McCaskey received an email from her son’s school looking for families to host Japanese students for five days, she thought it sounded like a great opportunity. Her young children were excited about having a ‘big brother or sister’ from another country for a few days, so they decided to go for it.

“We enjoyed the experience so much we offered to host again in the next holidays and then we became full time hosts. That was nearly 10 years ago and we are still hosting today, although our two children have long finished high school.”

The benefits of hosting international students

Vivien says her family of four love the shared experience of showing international students their city, culture and lifestyle and in return, learning about their homestay student's life.

“In many ways homestay is about the sharing and blending of different families together and the joy that comes from learning from each other,” she says.

“It’s a fantastic, memorable and rewarding experience. There is something special about sharing meals and stories with young people and seeing life through their eyes based on their experiences and culture.”

What are the responsibilities of a host family for international students?

Vivien says when hosting a student, you essentially take on all the responsibilities of a parent.

Some of these include school and sports runs, providing meals, helping them with chores or information so they can become confident to explore their city safety.

“But most importantly, supporting them while they settle into their new life, school and friendships. You really need to be open to having that student become part of your world and family, and treat them with the same respect you would of your own children,” says Vivien.

Vivien’s key advice to family's new to hosting international students

1. Communication and boundaries. Have a chat about your family life, household rules, expectations and bring them into your world as soon as possible.
2. Information is everything. Treat them as your own children and tell them this. Explain that from the day they join your family they will be a part of it.
3. Give them support when they are sad and reiterate rules, boundaries or expectations when necessary. We all forget things, and international students are on a huge learning curve in the beginning, so keep cool when things go sideways, regroup again and stay positive.
4. Remember they are still young people and need our support and guidance even when they think they don’t. Be there for them as you would your own family, and you will have the most incredible, rewarding experience.