QUIC: How To Become a Volunteer Host

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How Do I Become a Volunteer Host?

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Last Updated: Friday, December 07, 2012 3:03:16 PM ET

The International Housing Office is now seeking members of Queen’s community who are willing to act as Volunteer Hosts for newly arrived international students. Volunteer Hosts normally provide a few nights accommodation, at no cost, while the student searches for permanent housing. 1 - 3 night accommodations are needed for students during the arrival period each semester. The accommodations can be as simple as a couch, but the hosts should be friendly people with an interest in providing a welcoming and secure temporary accommodation. Are you interested? Please contact the Program Coordinator at: IHC@queensu.ca.

Volunteer Host Application

Carolyn & Brian shared their home as Volunteer Hosts 2009 - 2012:

"If you have a space to spare for a few nights, we highly encourage you to welcome someone at the beginning of their academic adventure at Queen’s and provide a friendly space for our newest community members. Our experiences hosting students several times and being a guaranteed landing spot for others have been tremendously rewarding. We were inspired to participate in the host program by the personal experience of travelling long distances where the knowledge of having a place to rest and a friendly face when arriving tired and jet-lagged brings such comfort. By hosting, we witnessed the excitement of moving to another country to pursue school and saw our city, university, and our world in a new light. Few of the students we hosted have kept in touch after finding their own place to live; I run into them on campus occasionally and it is like reconnecting with old friends. Some have also joined the potluck gatherings with friends at our place throughout the year, while others continue their academic journey without us crossing paths again."

Please note: The International Housing Office does not have a screening process in place for selecting volunteer hosts though community references are often utilized. Both student and host are expected to treat one another with respect and courtesy, and to abide by the Host Program Guidelines. Failure to comply with these guidelines or inappropriate behaviour may preclude you from future participation in this program. It is understood that both the host and the student enter the arrangement at their own risk. The program keeps receiving positive feedback each year and continues to be an integral part in support to incoming students.

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