We are always adding more stories to this part of the website.

Dec 2008, Student Letter to CHI:

Dear Brenda St. Jean,
Now my visit in Canada is over. Thank you for your decision to put me in this family. I had the best family. I really enjoyed the time here. It was nice to have a host sister. We will stay in touch with each other. Furthermore I liked to have such nice neighbours. We got really good friends and we will stay in touch. I enjoyed doing activities with my host family.
Best regards
Theresa Arnold

December 25, 2008, Student Letter to his Host Mother:

Hi, mom
Here is Chai. Thanks to the Xmas, I have a chance to send you my blessings: Merry Christmas, and wish you happiness, younger, and healthy forever!!!
Living in Ottawa almost two months, I seldom get homesick, because you offer a virtual family setting to me, ranging from friendly smiles, delicious food and timely helps to meticulous care. Therefore, I must admit that I am a lucky guy. Thank you, mom!
Although I will move out of your house next month, I hope we can keep contact with each other for the future, and I wish I can have chances to help you to empty the dishwasher or do houseworks. I will forever remember the valued time with you. To be honest, I have treated you as my real mom in my heart. I know you will fly to the U.S. tomorrow, so wish you have good days in California.
Kind regards
Chai

Sept 2008, Student Letter to CHI:

To whom this may concern,
I'd just like you to know how great my family (Toronto - ON) was during my homestay experience. John and Rani were amanzingly caring and helpful, doing everything in their power to make my stay as pleasurable as possible. I never had any problem with them or their kids, Keith and Fabian, who I quickly became friends with.
They made me feel at home, cared for and allowed me to worry only about my studies during my stay, which I'm confident was vital in enabling me to be the student who achieved the highest grade at my school during the month of July.
I'm really thankful for all their love and attention, and I would recommend them to anyone who needs a great homestay family in Toronto.
Sincerely,
Ivan Marcondes Antonio

Let The Adventure Begin... A story by a host family of their first experience hosting an international student.

Words of Thanks from a New Host in Ottawa:

Good morning ladies!
I was sitting here this morning and thinking about how wonderful our Ling-Yu is. Then I thought, how easy the transition has been this year for everyone involved.
All too often, people think positive things and never share them with whom they are meant for. Hence the reason for my email. I would like to thank you all for your hard work and obvious dedication to every step of the process. We have only been a host family for a little over a year, but we have seen tremendous changes from your end, as you grow your business. You have streamlined processes and thought of ways to make things easier for everyone involved. Most importantly, implemented them at lightening speed. You have accomplished an awful lot in a small period of time.
Becoming a host family has been an amazing experience for us. We are proud to be affiliated with such a professional, passionate homestay company!
Thank you for everything....have a wonderful week!
Esther
xo

June 2007: Article about Homestay in Ottawa's Capital Parent magazine.

Student Letter, July 2007:

My Homestay:
I've been studying here for almost one month. Before I came to Toronto I was afraid about the food, culture, etc. Now I can say that my Homestay mother, Teresa, is more than I was expected. She is very, very nice. Every morning she gives me a very nice breakfast, with cereals, fruits, hot chocolate, toast. When I was ready to come to school she always had gave me a bottle of water and had taken me to the subway station. She is worried about healthy food, she hates junk food, at dinner I'm used to eating only healthy foods.
She have a very nice humour and she is a hard worker, but she never forgets me. My breakfast, dinner and laundry are always ready. I'm very lucky man, I think I couldn't be in the best place that I am. I've met some guys from other homestays and they don't believe that Teresa do this things to me.
When I come back to Toronto, I really want to stay with Teresa again. Teresa you are the best Homestay here. Thanks for everything that you have done for me.
Alexandra Lima
Brazil

Student Letter, July 2007:

Dear Linda, Brian and Angel:
I would like to say to you that you make me feel like at home.
I think that the best of this world is feel that you have a second family in Canada because you make me feel like one more daughter. Linda, you're like my second mother, you make me feel that I can live in other house, thank you! Brian, you're the best father (2nd) Angel and I could ever have, you're funny and kind. Thanks Dad! Angel!! You're like my 5th sister, you make me feel that I'm with my sister because you're one of them now.
Finally, I would like to say to you that I'm going to miss you so much!
And thank you for make me feel at home once again.

Student Letter, 2007:

Dear Mr and Mrs Adams,
Wow, four years went really fast. I enjoyed my life so much in these four years and also enjoyed being in this house. I've got so much valuable and unforgettable memories from here. I learned so much from you guys. The stuff I learned in this house is much more worthful to me than the stuff I learned at school. You guys taught me things that I used not to know. I think I've grown up a lot, not my height, but my attitude towards things.
When I just came here, I didn't know how to respect people and not having good manners all the time. Because of your nice personality, smiling and being nice to me all the time, I learned how to respect and having good attitudes towards people and things. I find myself improves a lot. Thank you!
Thank you for all your kind advices, I will always keep those advices in my mind; thank you for your endless helping and caring. You guys made me feel like I have a second mom and dad.
Mrs. Adams, you did so much for me. You treated me as your own daughter. You helped me going through things I didn't know. You cooked for us every time. You smile to me, you went to my graduation, award ceremonies, parent-teacher interviews and also giving me tons of advices. Thank you, Mr Adams. Thanks for making the bathroom clean all the time, washing dishes, warming up supper for us, keeping this house perfect and warm. I also want to thank you for all your kindly advices. They helped me a lot. I will never forget.
In my following life, you guys won't be with me, but I will always remember Mr and Mrs Adams. God brought me to this perfect house and let you guys to be in part of my life. Thank you God. Although I don't go to church that often, I learned God is very important in our life. From you guys, I learned to thank God and say grace before meals. I hope God will bring you guys a wonderful and happy following life. I know my life will be so much darker without you.
Thank you for being part of my life. I really gonna miss you. I love you guys forever.

Student Letter, 2007:

Julie,
I would like to say thank you for everything. You are very sweet and loveable person. I've never met someone like you for my whole life. I have learned a lot of things form you. You treat people very nice with your heart. I love the way you treat people. You know what? I really want to have a family like you (with a handsome husband and two boys) : I love you so much. I will never forget you as long as I live.

Student Letter, 2007:

To Mommy and Daddy
How are you doing? I always think of you Mommy and Daddy made my life in Canada wonderful. I will always remember your love. I really enjoyed my stay in Canada. Mommy, I loved your food so much. I miss them. As I said, I eat rice three times a day. After I cam back to Korea. I couldn't eat rice that much. I have been sick since I came here. I ate to much spicy food every day. I would like to eat a bagel with strawberry cheese cream and a cup of coffee. Especially, the coffee that Daddy made for us. That coffee is the best!
My mom, dad and sister are doing well. My family don't live together. My sister lives my mom's friend house because her school is near her house. She's very busy preparing for the test for the university.
Mommy, when I stayed at your house, I felt so comfortable like my house. You and daddy always treated me so nice. Nobody treated me like you for my life. I really appreciate it. I would like to say thank you to your daughters as well. They are always so nice to me. I wish I could spend more time with you. You and daddy are the nicest people in the world. I'm sure that I can't meet people like you until I did.
If I have an opportunity to go back to Canada. I will go there for sure.
I think I'm so lucky to meet you in my life. My family wants to say thank you for everything. I love you so much. I hope everything is going great with you.Miss you. I love mommy and daddy!
Love Cindy.

If you'd like to see your testimonial on our website, please email Jennifer with your story, and we'll be happy to read it!