MOOSE JAW — A local couple affiliated with Prairie ΒιΆΉΚΣΖ΅ School Division (PSSD) is looking for a few families to host Brazilian exchange students as part of its regular programming and approximately six students still need a place to stay as of Jan 4.
The student exchange program will entail 15 Grade 11 students from Brazil and their stay will match the winter academic semester running from February to June. To apply, prospective host families are asked to reach out as soon as possible over the next two weeks.
“So, my wife and I have, from the time we’ve been married — so over the last 20 years — been hosting students from different parts of the world that wanted to come to Canada, and specifically Moose Jaw, for an exchange program,” said Dwight Cameron, a co-ordinator for the program.
Once the students arrive in late January, they’ll meet their host families and will then be placed in high schools across Moose Jaw. These schools will include Cornerstone Christian School, where Cameron serves as a board member, and others within the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, including Vanier Collegiate, are still being confirmed.
When registered, each host family will have the opportunity to enjoy a cultural experience and they’ll also receive a monthly stipend to cover additional costs associated with hosting.
The exchange program aims to provide international students with an immersive experience in Canadian culture, including a visit to numerous tourist attractions, historical sites, and an immersion in Canadian high school classrooms. Host families play a vital role in this process by engaging in family activities, sharing home cooked meals, and encouraging participation in household chores and other typical routines.
“I often tell host families to treat these children as if they were one of your own,” Cameron noted.
One key focus of the program is to help students improve their English language proficiency. While academic classes are part of the experience, the emphasis is on practical language use rather than earning academic credits.
If the language barrier becomes an issue, Cameron advised that you can simply reach out to him and he’ll invite a local couple to assist who are proficient in both Portuguese and English.
Cameron said it’s quick and easy to register and, although families with similar-aged children would be ideal, sometimes “empty nesters” who love kids could really benefit from the opportunity.
To qualify as a host, each applicant must demonstrate that they can offer a safe, comfortable, and accepting home, provide a separate room with a window, bed, and desk, and provide three daily meals. A criminal record check, two references from outside the family, application signing, and a visit from one of four co-ordinators then completes the process.
“(What the program) does for families, for the kids themselves, even for (local) students (is) to get exposure to different cultures,” Cameron noted. “You know, Moose Jaw has definitely grown over the years in terms of cultural diversity, and so this is just another opportunity to give our students that type of exposure.”
If you’re interested in registering as a host family this semester, contact Dwight Cameron at 306-690-7271 or by email at [email protected]. As Cameron lives in Moose Jaw, he will remain as the primary contact to address any concerns for the duration of the program.
Alternatively, Lindsay Alliban can be reached at 1-306-741-3775 or [email protected].
