Episode 25: The Hospitality We Need
What is it to be host? To welcome someone? Someone with a different background, culture, tradition, language and perspective? What would hospitality look like with a complete stranger?
In this thought provoking episode, Andrea hosts Jennifer Wilson, former CEO of the Canada Homestay Network - Canada's largest international student homestay program. Born and raised in Canada, Jennifer talks about growing up with different cultures and people staying in her home. She'll share the cultural misunderstandings and the cultural curiosity that is needed when we engage with someone new to Canada. Their conversation will go deeper as Jennifer provides her heartfelt insight into how to make a hospitable Canada, similar to a homestay, a nation and country that welcomes strangers and embraces cultural differences. Canada has that hospitality and must remember that it can extend from the immigration ministry to our very own homes.
You'll won't want to miss this conversation. You'll be challenged to think differently, to explore and to be a more curious person as you navigate this ever changing world around us.
To learn more about the Canada Homestay Network or if you're curious about being a host for an international student, visit: https://canadahomestaynetwork.ca/.
And grab a copy of Jennifer's first book, the "Heart of the Homestay: Creating Meaningful Connections When Hosting International Students". You'll learn more about her experiences and gain practical ways to be a host of anyone new to your world.