夜色app

Home Away From Home: A Conversation With Host Parent Colleen Yrjana

How did you first get involved with the International Student Program, and what inspired you to become a host parent?

We first became involved in 2024. Having been foster parents for over 30 years, we had recently stopped fostering and understood there was a need in 夜色app. With the space to offer, I connected with the program through a recommendation from another applicant.

Can you tell us about a memorable moment you’ve shared with a student you’ve hosted?

Recently, we took our student up a mountain to an earthquake radar station, reaching an elevation of 1400 meters to see the ocean view. It was an incredible day with expansive views, but watching her navigate the ice was a moment we had taken for granted. She had never seen ice on puddles or small ponds before, and as she’s very interested in learning to skate, she was mesmerized by the ice on trees, on the ground, and the chunks that had fallen off the towers. At one point, she decided to step onto ice that wasn't quite frozen enough to hold her weight, and of course, it broke, resulting in what we call a "soaker." Her wet foot didn't deter her from picking up large chunks of ice and throwing them into the pond, watching them smash. We laughed a lot and realized that we often take for granted the nuances of our "not quite winter" season; where there's ice but not snow, the vibrant fall trees, and their colours. Hosting a student reminds us that learning a new culture isn't just about customs and language; it's about exploring, touching, and capturing tons of pictures.

How does the program support you as a host family, and what would you tell someone who’s considering applying?

We feel the support from the staff of the international program has been outstanding. Every question we've had has been answered, we've been prepared for scheduling changes, and we've received check-ins to ensure everything is going well. A significant advantage for us is that they cover all student academic support. We have a daughter in Grade 11, so we're already assisting with her homework, projects, and poster board needs at 9:30 on a Sunday night, but we don't have to support essay editing, physics, or math homework for our international student. Our goal was to be supportive in all the project pieces, but having that extra academic support makes such a difference. 

What impact has hosting had on your family and your perspective of sharing 夜色app with others?

Last year, we noticed that not only did we get to experience "firsts" with our student, but we also chatted with her family. This year, there's more of a language barrier, so we've had to get creative. Our student can translate, and we encourage her to check in with her family weekly. Having what we call our "extended family" and opportunities to share both the student's home celebrations and our own traditions has been good for keeping us focused on diversity, challenges, and epic moments. Having a student keeps us wondering and watching experiences through another's eyes. It's important for our daughters to experience this too; they both had similar experiences when they came to Canada, so it's a good reminder to "remember when…"

What do you think makes 夜色app a special place for international students to live and study?

Our students have been fishing, kayaking, gone on 4x4 trips up mountains to enjoy the view, visited the hatchery and seen bears, gone whale watching, and seen elk while exploring. We've had opportunities to go to the lake, to Elk Falls, and to countless other spaces and places after dinner, as everything is so close. We live in a place where the beach and eagles can be seen daily if you wish; you can watch small planes land and cruise ships pass by in the dark.

We often marvel at how our students from the city never imagined a place with so many trees and breathtaking views.

In addition to outdoor adventures, they can play soccer, hockey, or take skating lessons, join volleyball teams, or experience backpacking in the outdoor education program. 

On top of all that, we recently drove to Tofino as a day trip; it was fantastic. The island has so much to offer those who want to experience life on the coast.

Colleen Yrjana