The Homestay Kitchen: Cultural Connections with International Students who Study Abroad

In this episode, we reveal our Christmas past, present and future with our international students. Mary shares her non-Christmas household, but reveals the little things she likes to do for the holidays. While Erin knows something will come together at the last minute for her family's Christmas dinner. Listen for tips on what to do with students while keeping to a budget and a list of all our favourite holiday movies. Plus, how do the holidays differ in their student's home countries? We find out about a Japanese tradition that is finger lickin' good! Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, or even no holiday, we hope you get a break either way. It's really all about the good food coming out of the kitchen and enjoying it with people that you love.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Windsock microphone coverings make Erin happy.
• Why are Mary's pants wet?
• Who is Mary most excited to visit this holiday season? And will she schlepp the doggy beds?
• We talk about visiting local seniors to spread holiday cheer.
• Budget friendly activities to celebrate the season with family and students.
• What's on Erin's baking list?
• Erin's tangent about raisins.
• A crib Christmas. #coffeeon
• The time Erin's family stole Grandma.
• Conky the Christmas Angel. #conkyusurped #conkythechristmasangel

*#theelflovesconky* - The time Mary's Mom brought home a tree… but forgot about the rest of Christmas. - A Japanese tradition that is finger lickin' good! - We discuss our favourite holiday movies.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Smurfs - "Gnap!" Butchart Gardens Festival of Trees Butter tarts (very Canadian) Trailer Park Boys Conky Character Elf Home Alone A Christmas Story Olaf's Frozen Adventure KFC in Japan

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In this episode, we chat with Yoko, a Japanese student living with Erin. We examine some serious topics such as diversity and discrimination that she faces here in Canada and how it can be beneficial back home in Japan. We also touch on how she was able to participate in WE Day, a celebration of young leaders in Vancouver, and the balance of Japanese versus Canadian student culture. Plus, we learn how much Yoko is really a child of Erin's and how she's integrated so closely with Erin's family and being a part of Canada.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Yoko is a 17 year old Japanese student attending grade 12. She lives with Erin.
• She's been here for almost one year and is leaving in January.
• Yoko shares her motivation for studying abroad. #englishisatool
• What are her plans for the future?
• Yoko talks about the differences between her Japanese and Canadian high school education experiences.
• Yoko answers Mary's burning question about Japanese culture.
• Talent Show Performance: Boys Like You (Anna Clendening) #justaproudmama
• Who "took" Yoko's place as the baby of the family?
• Yoko talks about life with a little brother and sisters. #butterflykisses
• The most difficult and shocking experience of Yoko's life in Canada is the discrimination she faces.
• What advice does she have for other international students?
• Yoko talks about her WE Day experience.
• Yoko shares her favourite holidays and food. #asparaguscrisp

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Bones Global Village Store Glee WE Day

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In this episode, we get into some of our favourite games to play with our students. It's getting to that time of the year here in Canada where the nights are cold and long. Time to bundle up and play board games, video games, and #allthethings to keep one occupied when the family is over for the holidays. Or perhaps you're getting a new student soon... what are your favourite games to play to help break the ice? Here are some ideas for easy games to play with young kids, games that require very little English, and even one that will make a mess.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Erin's update: her (shy) daughter's upcoming poster presentation about culture #wearemulticultural
• Mary's family doesn't celebrate Christmas. Erin offers up an alternate celebration… one that is an evil game and an ice breaker!
• Erin breaks out into song talking about the go to game her family likes to play together. #jazzhands
• Erin pulled out her psychic powers for Mary's game (and then made up a jingle).
• We play a boredom buster requiring no language or skill. It feels like gambling!
• Mary throws the rules out for her go to game for improving English. #offthecuff
• Erin introduces a math fluency game that at first displeases Mary. Will the big blue whale win Mary over?
• Erin comes from a farming family and grew up playing a very Canadian game. #buttcheeksdown
• Ching! Chang! Push! You may not recognize this game's name… but chances are you've played it.
• Puzzles are a great way to spend time together. But have you heard of WASGIJ?
• What game would Erin be remiss in not telling Mary about? Apparently it's the most fun EVER! (Mary did not look impressed)
• Which game makes Erin feel stupid? Mary comes to Erin's rescue.
• A super cute game that requires no language and (bonus!) got Erin's kids to eat sushi.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Just Dance Dixit Telestrations LCR (dice game) Bananagrams Mobi Uno Crokinole Lee Valley Tools Crib Rock Paper Scissors / Ching Chang Push WASJIG Puzzle Pie Face Kanoodle Sushigo

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In this episode, we chat with our dear friend Mel Kilpatrick. Mel was one of Mary's first inspirations to become a homestay parent. We scratch the surface on some of the amazing stories with her past students and explore how these experiences enhance our network of people in the world... not just for us as hosts, but for the students as well. These experiences are what makes your household grow and learn from each other to extend our connection to the world.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Mel inspired Mary to host students.
• She is a veteran host with 16 years experience. (That's a grade 11 student! Erin thinks of age in terms of teenagers.)
• Mel does short term placements. Enjoys flexibility of short term for her family.
• Find out how Mel gets her teenagers to talk to her. (Hostages are taken).
• There's a map of students Mel wishes she could visit.
• What did Mel wish she knew before she began hosting?
• The student that put Mel on a break from hosting students for two years. #itwasterrifying
• Which student posting/profile convinced Mel it was safe to host again?
• Mel loves to be a tour guide for her students.
• The time her student had a weird welcome.
• Do you host students? How has hosting benefited your family?
• Mel shares how hosting has enriched her family and opened their minds to different cultures.
• Update from Mary from last week's episode re: we discussed her student's romantic relationship. Mary announces the gender of their now born baby!
• We discuss our (global) network of humans.
• Which leads to a story about how a clown wronged a woman. #EriniswithVania
• Mel shares her favourite dish to cook for students.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Mt. Doug Oak Bay Marina (seals) East Sooke Park (hiking) Thetis Lake (summer) Government House Grounds Butchart Gardens Saanichton Christmas Tree Ostrich Farm

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In this episode, Mary challenged Erin to talk about her being a Mama Bear; tender claws out and ready to advocate for her students. Listen for the way Erin handles challenging situations including when she rescues Christmas for her student's friend and dealing with high school teachers, which can be challenging all on their own. Then we take a little side track as Mary gets a delivery at the door... all before Mary shares her stories about how she saved a student's romantic relationship, which causes Erin to feel like throwing up because of the suspense. How have you helped your students? We'd love to know, so please share your stories with us through email, Instagram or Facebook.

Key Points From This Episode:

• ♫ Mama knows best ♫ Mary tries to pull one over on Erin. What did she do??
• Update from Mary: will she take her sister's student?
• Erin shares about the first time her students saw her in Mama Bear mode… in defence of one of their best friends.
• Home Alone (not the movie) at Christmas.
• Erin gets stressed out talking about summer school / Erin's rant about email etiquette.
• (26:10) A fun diversion! Mary gets a home delivery. Find out what's in the box!
• Mary shares her story about how she saved her student's romantic relationship. Important things to note about this story: You'll want popcorn and a tissue box. The suspense made Erin's stomach go in knots. Upon reflection… Erin thinks this story would make a fantastic movie. Mary has 'next level' skills - Erin thinks she's a Jedi Knight.
• How do you push your students to take risks and make mistakes when learning English?

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Tangled South Island Distance Education School

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In this episode, we share our experiences of how we select international students to become a part of our homestay family. We chat about how one student in Mary's short-term homestay experience got her to change her number one request on a student profile. We walk through what you should consider when matching a student profile to your family, and ultimately, how we decide to host a student in our home. Then we explore Erin's detailed student profile applications, while she goes on one of her tangents to provide some very insightful tips for what to do with your kids when travelling with your students.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Proud host mama update from Erin.
• Find out what's driving Mary nuts - and will it keep her from hosting?
• Who makes the hosting decisions in your family?
• Mary shares the lack of info she received about a student… and how that worked out for her family.
• Going away overnight on long weekends presents a challenge for Mary's family when hosting students.
• Erin has a "creative solution" for Mary. Erin gets the giggles!

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Butchart Gardens

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In this episode, we dive in with Erin's student from China, Jenny. She's here on a high school program for a couple years and at the time of the recording, is one of two students in Erin's home. Jenny has a love of music that we explore and hear samples of during the show. She truly is talented and has a passion for life, which we'll hear about as she describes her student lifestyle in Canada, the pressures of studying abroad away from her parents, and what her dreams are for the future after completing her Canadian high school education.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Jenny is a 17 year old Chinese international high school student currently living with Erin.
• This is her second year living with Erin's family.
• Was placed with a different homestay family for one semester before joining Erin's family.
• Jenny loves to sing (mostly at night) and enjoys K-pop music.
• Favourite food experience so far - when we all celebrated Chinese New Year together.
• Jenny and her friends are food experts in Victoria.
• Jenny shares her love for ASMR cake videos with her littlest host sister.
• Jenny talks about the pressures of schoolwork and her plans for university.
• Conversations with her parents can be difficult because of the distance and the gap.
• Jenny shares everything with her best friend, another Chinese international high school student who understands what she is going through.
• Jenny loves to travel. What's next on her "must see" list?

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Baking the cake

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In this episode, we dive into birthdays! Jon and Blake's birthdays are one day apart, so we talk birthday plans and what Erin's students have up their sleeves for Blake... while Mary reveals her one big mistake in communication about birthdays with her first ever student.

Key Points From This Episode:

• We're recording in Mary's empty student room. (Her living room is too noisy because there's lots of construction sounds next door… like hammering and sawing!) Note the beautifully handcrafted desk, made by Jon. Feel free to overlook the unmade bed. Also, what you can't see in the picture below, are Mary's elbows which are quite sharp and pointy!
• Erin has decided that Jon is of a "gentlemanly age"
• For Blake's upcoming birthday, Erin will be cooking her 70% approval rating lasagna with garlic toast and Caesar salad.
• Blake loves cookies!
• The girls (Erin's students) will bake him tinfuls of cookies. Update: Cookie making occurred at 2 a.m. in secret the night before his birthday.
• You may note that there are no potatoes pictured on the cupcakes. Initially there was a potato cupcake, however it was deemed "not pretty enough" and was consequently consumed by the baker.
• Blake loves practical gifts. Last year, Erin's Thai student bought Blake a light bulb for his birthday. It turned into a three store excursion.
• Erin's family always makes homemade cards for birthdays and other holiday events. Her students are included in this, and they make the most amazing, artistic, heartfelt cards… and have such beautiful penmanship!
• When Erin's family sings "Happy Birthday" they incorporate all of the languages of the household (and relight the candles each time). So they'll sing it first in English, then Chinese, or Japanese, or Thai and sometimes Korean (they host a K-pop fan) - it all depends on the nationality of the students they're hosting at the time.
• Mary's family doesn't make a big deal out of birthdays. Erin agrees it's a cultural thing. Mary's family has a traditional way of doing things.
• Mary usually knits something for Jon. Traditionally she gifts him an "unfinished" item. This year, he'll receive a sweater that has been on her knitting needles for 4 years!
• On the day we recorded this episode… we were 3 days away from Jon's birthday and Mary still had to seam the sleeves, attach the sleeves onto the body, knit the neckline and the cuffs.
• For the non-knitters… fingering weight = love.
• For Jon's birthday: Mary will gift him an unfinished sweater. He will choose something for dinner. Instead of cake, he's requested Mary's green onion pancakes.
• The first year Jenny celebrated her birthday with Erin's family, she chose a waffle cake for her birthday.
• The first time Mary had a student, she didn't tell the student it was Jon's birthday because Mary and Jon don't make a big deal about birthdays. The next day the student went out and bought flowers and a card for Jon.
• From now on, Mary tells all her students about birthdays and all festivities and events.
• Mary hosts short-term students and rarely gets to celebrate their birthdays with them. In the first year after they've left her home, she will mail them a card. Erin will find her students on social media to wish them a Happy Birthday.
• If Mary's students are with her on their birthday, she has them pick their dinner meal and cake which she'll make (from scratch).
• Erin's first short-term student always brought home balloons to the birthday person in the family.
• "Just Dance" is a very popular video game played at Erin's house on birthdays.
• Blake is the creme brûlee master when it comes to birthdays. Talking about creme brûlee reminded Erin about the time they accidentally ruined a student's lunch - on the student's birthday - with the "birthday burrito incident". Blake had to make reparations in the form of creme brûlee.
• Mary's favourite birthday meal is always weather dependent.
• Jon's has yet to pick his birthday dinner! This is stressing Erin out. Update: Jon was sick on his birthday, so Mary is planning to re-do Jon's birthday on another weekend.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Jon's Sweater - Redford Pattern Just Dance

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Quotes "But sometimes communication is everything" - Erin (19:20)

"See this is where I learn from my mistakes. If you are a family who does not make a big deal out of birthdays, one should still communicate with the student that it is somebody's birthday in the house because that particular student might want to do something nice for said birthday person." - Mary (19:24)

In this episode, we're talking Halloween! We explore what each of our families does for Halloween and how you can incorporate your homestay student into the festivities. We reminisce about our past Halloween experiences to reveal how sometimes these student situations make us feel old.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Mary is prepared for Halloween - her daughter is dressing up as a buzzy bee.
• Erin is a reluctant Halloween mother and is need of a Halloween miracle!
• She's hoping Pinterest can save her. Her daughters have Halloween costumes, but her son and students do not. Her teenage students will pitch in and do amazing makeup for her children.
• The backup costume for Erin's Japanese student is a Carebear costume Erin made when she was a high school student.
• Last year, Erin and her student successfully sewed four kimonos in 24 hours.
• Erin's children don't eat all their Halloween candy. This news upset Mary deeply.
• Mary didn't get Halloween costumes growing up and trick or treating was hard. She hoarded the hard earned candy she did get - it was her pay!
• Pumpkin carving is a team event at Erin's house. Together they are carving 8+ pumpkins!
• This will be the first pumpkin for Mary's daughter - it's bigger than her!
• Erin's students will go trick or treating with her children. It's good for them (they get candy too!) and for her, there's more chaperones for the kids on a dark night. Plus it's fun for the whole family and part of the homestay experience.
• Erin introduced Mary to the concept of "Mom and Dad tax" when it comes to trick or treating (or life in general). Mary thinks Erin should Mom and Dad tax students and kids equally.
• Mary's QR Code Costume - Check out her Halloween Flickr photo album here and click here to see her virtual QR code costume.
• Mary's past costumes have been revolutionary and shocking! One year she was "Fifty Shades of Grey".
• Gilmore Girls - Jon & Mary as "Lane & Zach"
• Mary has hosted two students before during Halloween and introduced one of her students to the classic 80's movie "Ghostbusters".
• After hearing about how her student reacted to one of the scenes in the "Ghostbusters" movie, Erin & Mary launched into a "back in my day" reminiscence.

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Quotes

"I just need to know what rating? When you say, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' what rating?" - Erin (23:36)

"Always family friendly." - Mary (23:40)

"Thank you. We're always family friendly on The Homestay Kitchen." - Erin (23:42)

In this episode, Mary interviews Erin. We talk about how we first met, reminiscing about Erin's high school experience of being a homestay sister, and we dissect a day in her family's crazy life to reveal how her students are the best part of her day.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Mary has a bubble. Always ask permission before touching her. Also, poking the bubble (or attempting to poke the bubble) makes her nervous. Things Erin has learned from many years of friendship! And yes, Mary's nostrils really did flare.
• We met when we worked in radio and have known each other for 15 years. When Erin does math she thinks in terms of teenagers - we've known each other a whole grade 10 (high school) student!
• Erin's family decided to start hosting students after they moved to a bigger house. They've been hosting students for a little over a year now. With the exception of a couple of short-term summer placements, they've primarily hosted long-term high school students.
• Erin grew up with a homestay sister, Harumi; they went to high school and one year of college together before Harumi went back to Japan.
• Erin doesn't remember Harumi ever going home for breaks. Since recording this episode, Erin has checked with her mother and Harumi did go home to Japan for Christmas and summer holidays, but Erin's mother said Harumi was always so thankful to come back because she felt like their house was her home.
• Erin & Harumi enjoyed a close sisterly relationship: fighting over the thermostat, makeovers, shopping, talking about boys and cooking together. Harumi also listened to/sang a lot of Celine Dion repetitively when the Titanic movie first came out.
• They grew up together before the internet and social media. It's much easier now to keep in touch with students. Erin's family = Erin + husband + 3 kids (10 and under) + 2 high school students (17 years). Mary thinks Erin's family is chaotic.
• Wednesday's are Erin's most hated days because she has to lace up (and unlace) three sets of ice skates for her kids skating lessons. Maybe she should stop binge watching New Girl the night before. Those half hour comedy shows get her every time.
• Erin's students are not hard - they are amazing, independent and wonderful. They are also the best part of her day.
• Everyday Erin looks forward to her "me time" when she hangs out at Starbucks and plays crib with her really great friends - older mostly retired men. They've been playing together for four years and keep statistics on their games. They also play with jokers (and lately four extra 5's which Erin is really excited about because lately she's been getting a lot of 28's).
• Erin's first student was a short-term placement; she was not confident speaking English. Her student immediately bonded with the family and immersed herself in the daily activities.
• Feeding a family of 7 involves a lot of grocery shopping. Erin has her students write down what they do and don't like (in addition to joining in on some grocery shopping trips). Mary liked this idea.
• Erin's husband Blake does most of the cooking. He is the master of putting something on the table that is nutritious and delicious in 20-30 minutes that everybody likes.
• When Erin cooks she makes food that takes too long to prepare that 70% of the family will eat. They end up with freezer meals (2-3 lasagnas, 5 lbs. scalloped potatoes).
• On nights when a home cooked meal can't happen because of after school activities (baseball season), Erin recommends Thrifty Foods Tourtiere meat pies, and Shepherd's pie.
• Dinner time is the most joyous and challenging time. Lots of drama (children falling out of chairs), eyebrow raising, stories and sharing about everyone's day.
• Patience in a cup! Erin loves her chai. Extra hot no water please.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Lemony Snicket - The Hostile Hospital episode (butterflies in tummy) Thrifty Foods - tourtiere pie Robert Munsch "I Have To Go" - I have to go pee!

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Quotes

"My students are not the hardest part of my morning… students are not hard. High school long-term students are not hard, they're wonderful." - Erin (12:44)

"Our coordinator in placing students in our home really, really looks at our interests of our family and of our kids and of our students and each other and we have had such success with students being placed in our home. So if you're asking about the hated day, it has nothing to do with my students is what I'm getting to. My students are my best part about my day, always." - Erin (17:27)