Homestay Staff Professional Development Workshop
Vancouver, April 23, 2026

You’re invited to attend this full-day workshop dedicated fully to helping homestay staff to achieve their goals, share ideas and network with colleagues. For the past decade, ESQ Educational Services have been running informative and educational workshops.

You will learn about: 

Are you Prepared for an Emergency?

Homestay coordinators may deal with students who have mental health challenges, physical health concerns or who have tragic accidents. Although we are never fully prepared for what may come our way, Ronda will share some of her emergency experiences, some of the obstacles she occurred and the lessons learned in hope that it may help you to be better prepared for emergent situations.

Ronda Bell has over 25 years of experience in International Education as a Student Counselor, District Coordinator and Principal for two programs on Vancouver Island. Recently retired, Ronda is still fully engaged in the world of International Education as a Consultant and as a Client Advocate Manager for Ingle Lewer International Insurance.

Resolving Conflict Between Hosts and Students

Jennifer Robin Wilson will be speaking about some of the common points of conflict between hosts and students and how to prevent them from boiling over. She will discuss how to resolve them when they do arise.

Jennifer is the author of The Heart of Homestay, a guide book for homestay hosts. She is also the board chair of the Canada Homestay Network, the largest homestay provider in the country.  

Get Ready for Homestay 2.0

Doug Ronson will discuss why there is a shortage of hosts across North America. Every year, his company surveys homestay programs across Canada. The data show that it’s time for Homestay 2.0. There must be a shift from the old model of asking families to volunteer to host to gain intercultural experience or help an international student. Instead, we should shift to a more professional model. This will require that hosts be elevated to “part of the team” rather than “part of the family.” This presentation will outline how you can shift your program to Homestay 2.0

Doug Ronson has been a homestay host, homestay coordinator and is the author of The Essential Guide for Homestay Hosts.

Navigating Student Behaviour and Mental Health

When a student’s mental health declines or behaviour shifts, homestay coordinators and hosts need clear guidance. This workshop by Christina Furtado gives you practical tools to respond effectively. You’ll learn to recognize early signs of struggle, what conversations to have (and avoid), when to bring in additional resources, and how to support both students and host families through challenging situations. You will have skills you can use immediately and strategies that work in real homestay situations.

Christina Furtado is the Executive Director of Clinical Excellence & Strategy at GuardMe. A registered psychotherapist, educator, and public speaker, Christina brings expertise in neuropsychology and trauma-informed practice into the educational landscape. She trains professionals and students across sectors on recognizing and responding to psychological distress, bridging clinical knowledge with practical application for those supporting young people.

Who should attend

• Homestay coordinators and managers
• International education staff responsible for homestay
• Directors of homestay organizations

What people are saying

About our Niagara conference in November 2025:  “I just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for such a great homestay conference, I truly had a wonderful time. Your sessions were insightful and the conversations were engaging. I learned a lot and was grateful for the chance to connect with others in the field, including yourself.”

This workshop is 60 percent sold out! Register now!

The registration fee is just $349 plus tax. The workshop fee includes the professional development sessions, coffee breaks and lunch. To register, simply send us an email (doug at collegestreet.ca) and we will invoice you. 

Thanks to our sponsor: