The Anglophone East School District says host families from Greater Moncton are needed for this year’s New Brunswick International Student Program.
Pam Sheridan, the regional manager for New Brunswick’s International Student Program, said about 211 students from 22 different countries have applied to study at regional high schools.
“I think if you’re interested in a particular culture and want to know more, this is a great program to be involved with,” said Sheridan in a phone interview.
Sheridan said the district is looking for anyone willing to welcome a student into their homes and include them in family activities and traditions.
She adds applicants must be able to provide three meals per day, transportation to school and internet access available for the students. Homestays must also provide a designated bedroom for students, references and a criminal background check.
“Then we see if we can have a good match, because we have a student application and a profile and we get a homestay profile,” said Sheridan.
“And we see how best we can match a student with the homestay.”
Sheridan said the program offers several activities like culture, which host families can join. She calls it a great opportunity for people to “see their province again.”
“There might be places that you haven’t seen at all or you haven’t visited in the last little bit and many of our families say, ‘gee, I really get to see the best of what the Maritimes has to offer through this program,” said Sheridan.
The program also offers a monthly non-taxable $750 stipend to help offset the cost of having a teenager in the home, such as groceries and transportation. Roughly 115 students have been placed into homes, but Sheridan said many still need to be.
She adds that most students will arrive by the Labour Day weekend.
Anyone interested in applying to become a homestay can contact Sheridan directly at her email – pam.sheridan@gnb.ca.
With files from Tara Clow.
