File Photo (Image Credit: TRU)

By Spencer Mielke

TRU Homestay Program

‘They would never regret it’: TRU Homestay Program looking for host families

Apr 28, 2023 | 4:12 PM

KAMLOOPS — TRU’s Homestay Program is looking for 60 families to host international students for two-to-four weeks in July and August. Each host families will have the chance to learn about a different culture as well as be a representative for Canadian culture.

The Petri family has been hosting students since 2002 and they told CFJC Today it’s a very rewarding experience for families to try.

“They would never regret it,” said Bev Petri. “It only actually incentivizes their life. It gives your life more meaning, and they’ll treasure that moment for the rest of their life.”

International students will get a chance to enhance their English language study through residency with a host family. This year, students will come from a variety of countries all looking to grow their worldviews.

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“This summer, we are actually welcoming quite a few different groups for short term study,” Vice President, International at TRU Baihua Chadwick told CFJC Today. “Groups of students from many different countries. From Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Columbia, Ghana and more,”

Each family has to go through a process to ensure that the students will have a quality homestay situation. This includes a TRU staff fully inspecting houses and living spaces.

“Because these students are coming that are 13 to maybe 16, we want them to be in a safe environment,” said TRU Associate Director Lauri De Frias. “We want them to be exposed to as many opportunities in our district. Our homestay families have been so supportive of our students in the past.”

High praise has been given to these host families as many have heard back from parents of international students.

“Her parents sent us a letter saying that they sent a shy little girl and came back with a confident young woman,” said John Petri.

“I have a Mexican son, a Brazilian son, a Russian daughter, an Ecuadorian son, I mean it goes on and on and that’s how we feel about them,” added Bev Petri.

For those looking into becoming a host family they can visit tru.ca for more information.