Part 1 - Homestay Expertise and Building Relationships with Jennifer Wilson from the Canada Homestay Network
How do you build a successful relationship with homestay students? You ask the experts. In this episode, we chat with Jennifer Wilson, the Managing Director of the Canada Homestay Network. As a second-generation leader of the Canada Homestay Network, Jennifer is passionate about creating opportunities for building relationships, and believes that homestay offers a unique opportunity for all of us to break down cultural barriers and make the world a smaller place. In part one of this two-part interview, we learn about this non-profit society, discuss common issues hosts go through, and how the process for matching students with hosts works. We learned a lot during this conversation and we hope you do too! So grab something to take notes with and maybe a good cuppa tea or coffee and let's settle in with Jennifer Wilson. Jennifer Wilson is the Managing Director for the Canada Homestay Network. After retiring from practice as a Registered Midwife in 2005, Jennifer joined the family business. She holds an MBA with a specialization in Leadership and is always looking for new opportunities to learn and grow. As a second-generation leader of CHN, Jennifer is passionate about creating opportunities for building relationships, and believes that homestay offers a unique opportunity for all of us to break down cultural barriers and make the world a smaller place. Key Points From This Episode: Jennifer tells us how the Canada Homestay Network, a family organization, began. How the Canada Homestay Network differs from a homestay coordinator at a school. Jennifer speaks about their organizational values and why the Canada Homestay Network is a non-profit society. The qualities Jennifer looks for in host families. Jennifer touches on some great values and reasons to host. We chat about how to support host families.#pleasecall #askforsupport Jennifer dishes on some common issues homestay families face. Jennifer’s tips to bond with your new student. Side note: Jennifer shares her own experience travelling#comfortfood Jennifer’s tips for homestay hosts at the beginning. We discuss emergency procedures… they are important to go over. Curfews, homework help and a social life. Managing academic issues when you’re not the parent. Jennifer drills down on what it means to be a custodian, guardian and/or a parent. What are the responsibilities?#nosurprises Jennifer reveals some of the reasons why a student may no longer be suitable for homestay. What is homestay about? Jennifer talks about relocation rates with homestay. We talk about the student and host matching process. Jennifer shares her perspective on some of the challenges that they face as an organization. Jennifer opens up about the variables at play when students need to relocate homestay families. Links: The Canada Homestay Network Follow Us: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/homestaykitchen/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/homestaykitchen/ Web – http://homestaykitchen.com/