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U of L Homestay Program Needs Host Families for the Summer

May 26, 2016 | 6:08 PM

LETHBRIDGE: A group of 23 indigenous women from Mexico will have the unique opportunity to learn about First Nations culture and practice their English at the University of Lethbridge this July.

To do so, U of L’s Homestay program is calling on volunteers to host a student for a short-term stay.

The Mayan Mexican visitors arrive in Lethbridge on July 5th, and will learn about Blackfoot culture, oral histories, food and dance and visit local historical sites.

Host families will have the opportunity to experience an enriching intercultural exchange and will be compensated $725 to cover the boarding costs of hosting.

Joanna Waszkiewicz, University of Lethbridge Language Services Program Coordinator, said that the program is invaluable for both the students and the community, as it promotes international cultural exchange.

“It is an enriching experience that enables the community to gain international exposure.”

Waszkiewicz said that the program has received positive feedback from host families and that she has even came across returning volunteers interested in hosting a student for their second year.

“One of the most important experiences for the students is to experience day-to-day life with a local family and participate in activities. They can practice their English which will allow them to promote their Mayan culture to tourists back home.”

Homestay coordinators said that they hope to have all host family positions filled no later than mid-June.

The government sponsored program is for Mexican indigenous women who wish to pursue a master’s degree

A partnership agreement between the University of Lethbridge partnered with the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico was formed in 2014.

The project came about as a result of the U of L’s involvement with a consortium of 10 indigenous universities in Mexico and several undergraduate universities in Canada that focus on aboriginal education.

For more information on the Homestay program call 403-382-7190 or visit fb.com/uLethHomestay.

For applications to host an exchange student visit the U-of-L Internatioanl Homestay Program.