Homestay accommodations
The English Language Centre’s Homestay program provides international students an opportunity to live in a Canadian home and experience local culture while studying at the University of Manitoba.
On this page:
About Homestay How to apply Deferrals and refunds
The Homestay Program remains suspended for Fall 2022. For information about , Winter 2023 please contact homestay@umanitoba.ca
Covid-19 (Coronavirus) - Information and updates can be found at http://umanitoba.ca/coronavirus
About Homestay
Homestay provides accommodation to any international student, 17 years of age or older who is registered to attend a UM undergraduate or graduate program, the English Language Centre’s Intensive Academic English Program, or the International College of Manitoba. Visiting scholars, professors, researchers and trainees can also take part.
Program features
- Explore Canadian culture, live in a Canadian home and take part in local activities
- Practice English daily
- Airport arrival pick-up and departure drop-off
- Safe and affordable
- $850 per month, plus application and administration fees
- All essentials included: three meals per day, wireless internet, private room, bed, bedding, dresser and desk
- Orientation to the city, neighbourhood, and university campus
- Full-time Homestay staff available on campus to provide ongoing support and assistance.
About Homestay homes
Homestay homes are located 15-35 minutes by bus from the university campus and are inspected and approved by Homestay staff. All homes are safe, clean, and comfortable.
Students will be placed in a Homestay for four months (one term). You may extend your stay upon approval of the host. For graduate students or visiting scholars and researchers, the length of the stay can be adjusted to meet your needs.
Canada is a multicultural country and our Homestay program reflects this rich diversity.
Expectations for students
- Students will be asked to participate in normal household routines and practice considerate use of household space.
- Students are expected to do own laundry and cleaning of their bedroom and shared areas- bathroom and kitchen.
- Students should respect the rights, privacy, gender identify, sexual orientation and religious and political beliefs of each of the members of the Homestay family, and follow the Homestay rules and policies.
- Students must give one month's notice before the end of the Homestay term if they plan to leave the Homestay arrangement.
- If a student is 17 years old, the student is to comply with the program rules for underage students and the rules of the household.
- In the case of unforeseen circumstances, the student may be moved to another Homestay during the term.
- All Homestay students must be full time international students at the University of Manitoba or the International College of Manitoba, and must attend classes regularly.
How to apply
Homestay is available to any international student, 17 years of age or older, who is registered to attend a UM undergraduate or graduate program, the English Language Centre’s Intensive Academic English Program, or the International College of Manitoba (ICM). Visiting scholars, professors, researchers and trainees can also take part.
The University of Manitoba and the Homestay program do not provide custodianship for underage students.
Application process
- Fill out the application form and pay the Homestay application fee
- Send a copy of your visa permit and arrival information to homestay@umanitoba.ca
- Submit remaining Homestay fees by the term deadline to homestay@umanitoba.ca
Completed applications will be processed in the order that they were initially received until available Homestay spaces are filled. Incomplete applications (eg., no student visa, arrival time or payment) at the time of the program deadline will be placed on a waiting list.
Information about your arrival
Each term the Homestay program establishes a move-in date before the term begins. We request that students do not book a flight before the move-in date or a flight that arrives after midnight (12:00 a.m. Winnipeg time). If you book a flight that arrives after midnight, you will need to stay at the airport hotel overnight. Your Homestay host will pick you up the next day.
If you arrive before the move-in date, you will need to find your own transportation and accommodations until the move-in date.
Homestay provides accommodations to students only. If you arrive with relatives or a spouse, you will be required to stay with them in a hotel until they return home. At that time, you may move into Homestay.
Deferrals and refunds
If you have applied to the Homestay program at the English Language Centre (ELC) but are unable to attend, you can defer your application and fees to the following term. Please submit your request to homestay@umanitoba.ca.
Refunds
The Homestay application fee is non-refundable. The Homestay administration fee is non-refundable after a placement has been made.
If your visa is denied, you can request to have your Homestay fees refunded (excluding application fee). Please submit your request to homestay@umanitoba.ca.
Fees are nonrefundable after you have moved into your Homestay.
Refunds will be issued only at the approval of the Homestay coordinator.
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Contact us
English Language Centre
520 University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
Canada
1-204-474-6809
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.