What Services Does Beacon Provide?

Homestay With or Without Meals
Beacon homestay accommodation typically includes room and meals. This means that students are provided with a private room and three meals per day: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. They have access to the family's telephone and other household facilities including laundry.  Internet access may be provided if available.

Host families are required to provide 3 nutritionally balanced meals and in between snacks such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Students are provided with adequate choices for breakfast and assistance with selections for lunch.
• We encourage our host families to take students that are new to Canada shopping in a market that carries the traditional food from that student's country of origin. The student can then select a few items. This will help to ease the transition into our culture.

We can also provide room only accommodations where the student is provided lodging only (this includes everything that regular homestay provides except food).

• Students provide their own food and do their own cooking using the host family's kitchen, pots and pans, plates and other utensils.
• The host family will help the student with grocery shopping and provide storage space in the refrigerator and freezer for the student's food.

We can accommodate couples who may want to share a room or students who want to stay in the same home (many of our host families have more than 1 room available for students).

Early notification and Information of Host family

Information about the host, the city, differences in culture and even climate will be sent to students at the earliest date. Upon arrival, students will receive our "welcome package" which will include an Edmonton transit map, information on city attractions, helpful hints for visitors, and so on.

The description of the homestay family will include the number of people in the family, their ages, occupation and interests. We do not provide information regarding ethnicity, religious or cultural background.

Airport Pick-Up and Drop-Off

• For individual students, Beacon will meet him/her at the airport or at another pre-arranged location. The student will also be given a comprehensive individual orientation upon arrival. Beacon's warm welcome to students will always be accompanied by appropriate information. Airport drop-off is also available if requested

For Group Programs

• A Special orientation session will be arranged at a pre-determined location.
• Signs will be displayed with the Canadian Flag welcoming the students.
• If requested we can arrange for a special translator for on going consultation.
  

Arrange private tutoring for students who wish to take extra English lessons.

Beacon can recommend a tutor to students who would like extra help with their English.