How does Quebec warm the people’s hearts?

Posted on by Yesica

Did you know that Quebec is the world’s snow capital? It is because the first major Winter Carnival was born there in 1894. This is a massive event and free month-long carnival which celebrates from the end of January until mid-February. This year the carnival will be held from February 8th to 17th 2019.

The winter in Quebec is rough but it doesn’t mean you can’t go out and enjoy it. The Winter Carnival of Quebec will warm your heart throughout many activities, you can participate in a canoe race, enjoy the beautiful carnival parade or if you prefer going to le bal des glaces. Check the full programming here.

This is the 65th edition of this incredible carnival. Let the magic begin and keep your spirit up until spring begins.

But this is not be all. We know you’re looking for different experiences and if you’re studying abroad, you might prefer crazier and unforgettable experiences. For this, we recommend you the Igloofest, an electronic music festival held in Montreal. For over a decade they have been hosting some of electronic’s music biggest names, like Above & Beyond, Diplo, Maceo Plex, Four Tet, and others, to perform over consecutive weekends in the city.

The festival will be held from January 17th to February 2nd, 2019 in The Quai Jacques-Cartier in Montreal’s Old Port. This is the 13th edition of the event. For more information about the prices and programming click here.

Each year everyone at the festival has the chance to compete in the “Iglooswag” competition. What is this? Well, the “best-dressed” but with plenty bonus points for creativity and originality will win this competition.

These events will warm both your heart and spirit. We hope you have the chance to experience these amazing winter events in Montreal and Quebec.

What does it mean to become a Homestay family?

Posted on by Yesica

Traveling helps you not only to discover the world but you can also make the world your home. How is this possible? Become a homestay family! By living with  international students, you and your family will be exposed to their traditions, culture, lifestyle and language. However, what does it really mean to become a Homestay family?

Becoming a Homestay family can bring you new perspectives on your everyday life. By hosting an international student you will be aware of many different cultures and approaches to life in the world. At the same time, this will allow you and your family to build a better understanding toward different cultures.

Furthermore, hosting  students will allow you to learn a foreign language at home, especially at the beginning when the student is still having troubles practicing the language they come to learn. Also, you can get to know your own language very well while your students learn it.

This experience is about sharing cultures and getting to know each other. The Homestay Families are committed to sharing their own culture, customs, and traditions with their exchange students. It can be something as simple as cooking your family’s favorite meal together.

Remember that hosting international students means you are going to receive a new family member with whom you can stay in touch for many years, you will get a new friendship, which will last forever.

We share to you why Josy and her husband became a Homestay family in Montreal in 2017.

“When I came to Canada many years ago, I decided to live with homestay family. It turned out to be a very good experience. 

My homestay family helped me a lot to adapt to the life in Canada and get to know the local culture.

Most importantly, it is that we have developed great long lasting relationship. 

We still visit each other for holidays and help each other whenever one needs help.

Thereafter I got married in Canada and bought my own new house in 2017.

Now I would like to do the same kindness as my homestay family did, by helping other international students to know better the life in Canada. 

We provide our students a clean, cozy and friendly environment. Also, we try to help our student as much as possible.

It is always fun for us to know students from different background and we enjoy a lot learning different cultures from our students as well.

With mutual respect, I am pretty confident that we will have a great experience while you’re staying in Montreal.

Best Regards,

Josy”

 

 

 

What are the benefits of a Homestay experience?

Posted on by Yesica

We know that living with people you don’t know can be awkward only initially, but it takes few seconds or minutes to be part of a new family. Living hundreds of miles  away from home can be difficult, and  it can be challenging if you live in a place where people don’t speak the same language as you but we can assure you this will be part of an unforgettable and incredible experience!

A Homestay experience is a journey to achieve proficiency in a language, experiment a new culture and unlock your potential as human being. At first sight, it can be intimidating but the benefits of this experience far outweigh uncertainty. We share with you some reasons why this experience is so unique and beneficial.

First of all, a Homestay is a home away from home because families from a different country are opening their doors and their lives to you. Finding yourself in a strange city and country far from the comforts of home can be very intimidating. A Homestay Family provides a familiar place with friendly faces, helps to find your way around the city, and gives you invaluable advice that cannot be found in any guidebook.

Additionally, if you want to increase your language proficiency, living with a Homestay family pushes your comfort level. This will help you to learn from your mistakes, take your risks in language use, and grow in confidence every day. Keep in mind that an immersion experience is essential for achieving levels of proficiency in any language. Not everything will be easy, you’ll experiment setbacks and frustrations but at the end of the day, you will be able to eat, drink, think and dream in your second language.

Don’t wait for it, make it happen!! The most important issue is that you are going to discover yourself because you will develop an intercultural sensitivity which will allow you to break down cultural barriers with other people, integrate different cultural practices into your own life or even start to take joy in simple things.

Keep yourself out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself every day. Staying with a Homestay family could help to be who you want to be and grow in confidence.