THUNDER BAY — An appeal has gone out to the community to find host families for some international students planning to attend high school in Thunder Bay this fall.
This year, 45 students from around the globe including Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Slovenia, Japan, Vietnam, China, Chile, and Mexico will study at Hammarskjold High School, Superior Collegiate or Westgate Collegiate.
Accommodation in private homes still has to be arranged for 13 of these students.
Lakehead Public Schools uses the services of various organizations including MLI Homestay to place many of its international students with host families.
Some students may also stay with relatives they have in the city.
The board says by living with families, students get the opportunity to experience Canadian culture and traditions first-hand by participating in daily family life while living in a safe and nurturing environment.
In what's shaping up to be the program's biggest enrolment year so far, "we face a severe shortage of families available to host these students," Lakehead District School Board International Student Coordinator Steven Johnson said in a statement Tuesday.
"We really need the support and kindness of our community to help find homes for these students so they can follow their dreams and spend time studying abroad with us while sharing with us a new global perspective."
Some students will arrive at the end of August and early September to study in Thunder Bay until December, while others will arrive in January and will stay until June.
Hosts are eligible for compensation for their expenses.
Each home may take up to two students if space allows, but they must be from different countries so that English is practised in the home environment.
Inquiries may be directed to Lisa at lhill@mlihomestay.com or by phone at 519-716-6536.
More details are also available online at www.mlihomestay.ca.
Because of the ongoing presence of COVID-19, a spokesperson for MLI Homestay said it has added extra safety protocols above and beyond government mandates to ensure students arrive safely.
A Lakehead Public Schools spokesperson said the board is excited to see the program bounce back so strongly from the pandemic and continue to grow.
It initiated the international student program in 2015 with the aim of increasing enrolment year by year.
The board now hopes to achieve an enrolment of 60 in the near future.
