My Home Stay Experience

By Ginette

A few weeks ago, I decided to go for a special English session. Since a long time I was thinking about that. For my work, I have to use English every day. I need to communicate on the phone with many English peoples to propose solutions, or to offer the best products for them. Telus, my company is very strict about this. With more English, it will be easier for me to have a better conditions.

I chose PEI because it is not so far from Rimouski and the price was not too expensive for me. So, I decide to took my vacation at this time and ask to an agency to organize it for me.

One question to resolve…where should I stay? I was two choice between a residence or with a family. As I am an independent person, who does things when I want, I was not sure to be able to stay with strangers but the agency persuaded me to choose a family.

A great adventure was about to begin

After 8 hours of driving and getting lost around Charlottetown, I finally arrived at my host family. My first impression was very good. Karl and Jeannette came to me with a big smile and invited me to visit their house. They introduced to me Lisa a Japanese woman who was there since two months.

Karl and Jeannette received students for other countries for 10 years now. One of them, a teenager has stayed there for 3 years. They are comfortable with this.

Let me tell you more about my family. Karl is a teacher and his wife Jeannette is a police officer for the RCMP. Jeannette has a daughter for a previous marriage, Jennifer. She lives not so far with her husband and their little girl Olivia.

At the Doucette’s house, everything is quiet and beautiful. Outside, flowers are everywhere, all around the swimming pool and the patio. Just like a paradise! I cannot whished something better. They are so concerned about me, bringing me everywhere they go. We have visited many nice places together and had good times at eating at restaurants.

One week ago, Karl’s sister from Toronto has arrived with all her happiness an enthusiasm. She is like a treasure for me because she never stops speaking…..her name is Jerry. When we are together, I practice my “listening” for sure. All the family laugh about that. Jerry has a nickname too “Shopping Queen”. Can you imagine the great time I have with a so kind a person. She always wants to help me and brings me all around the Island.

The first reason why I came to PEI was to learn English but something else happened…

And let me tell you more

I have learn more than that. In my homestay family I discovered that love and respect really means. I discovered wonderful people who share life’s experience with a lot of generosity.

Sometime life brings you on a different way takes you by a different path.

Believe in yourself, keep an open mind and the best will follow

Thank you Karl and Jeannette. I will never forget you

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When you’re far from home and looking for friends, your homestay family can make the difference—good or bad. Read Ginette’s account of her homestay family and how they became more than friends.