Polar Trails Homestay Program
Experience the warm hospitality of a Canadian homestay family.
Your local homestay experts
At Polar Trails, we’ve been helping students find their ideal homestay placement for over 20 years. Our goal is to connect students from around the world with host families here in Winnipeg, to create memorable homestay experiences and help simplify the transition to life in Canada. We are the only homestay company based out of and focused exclusively on welcoming students to Winnipeg, meaning our team has the local know-how and expertise to help you get the most out of your stay in Canada. Over the years, we’ve built a strong network of host families that make the Polar Trails Homestay Program the best way to experience the culture, food, and attractions while living and studying in Winnipeg.
Attending school outside Winnipeg? We are excited to announce that the Polar Trails homestay program is now available in communities outside Winnipeg! Enjoy the same great support and experience of living with a homestay family in towns across Manitoba, including Winkler, Steinbach, Selkirk, and more. See our students page for more information about staying with a homestay family.
What you can expect from your homestay
Safe & Clean Home
A private bedroom and study area in a safe, clean, and comfortable home, with access to laundry facilities and Wi-Fi.
Support Network
A kind and caring family offering real and practical ESL instruction. Counseling and support is also available while adjusting to Canadian culture.
Convenience
Convenient bus routes and three healthy meals a day provided by your host family lets you spend more time on what matters.
Custodianship Services
For students under 18 years of age, we also offer Custodianship Services. After receiving an acceptance letter from your school, Polar Trails will help guide you through the process of filling out the necessary forms to declare one of our staff as your custodian.
Homestay Coordinator
No matter how carefully a student plans their stay in Canada unexpected emergencies can occur. We are available to assist with alternative planning 24/7. Find out more about our Student Support Services.
Homestay Life in Winnipeg
In addition to its excellent academic institutions, Winnipeg is home to a wide range of sights and attractions with a rich and multicultural history. Summer is the season of music & art festivals, such as Folklorama and Culture Days. In winter, you can warm your spirits with a visit to The Forks and go skating on one of the longest frozen river trails in the world! From the chic French Quarter St. Boniface to the trendy Exchange District, there is plenty to do and see. At Polar Trails, our first priority is always making sure our homestay students have a safe and comfortable place to stay during their studies, but we highly encourage getting out and seeing our beautiful city!
New in 2020! We now offer our homestay program in towns throughout Manitoba, such as Winkler, Steinbach, and Selkirk. Manitoba has lots to offer, so if you’re thinking of attending school somewhere other than Winnipeg, we’d love to help show you another side to life in Canada!
Homestay stories from students & families
My family introduced me to their friends and relatives, helped assimilate to my new environment and opened me a beauty of Canadian wilderness. We not only shared a home, we shared our lives. We still keep in touch and this is priceless. Thank you Polar Trails for the perfect match!
Svitlana Baryshnikova
International Business Grad
Thank you for all your support, throughout the year. We have had a wonderful year with our students. We have great memories and made friendships, from around the world.
Monika & John Wettstein
Hosting students with Polar Trails since 2006
Interested in becoming a homestay family?
Become an ambassador of Winnipeg, the most welcoming city in Canada. Open your doors to an overseas student and help them realize their dream. Polar Trails is committed to giving you and your student the best experience possible. Starting in 2020, we are also looking for host families outside Winnipeg!
