The Homestay Kitchen: Cultural Connections with International Students who Study Abroad - Sharing Holiday and Christmas Traditions with Students Who Study Abroad

Sharing Holiday and Christmas Traditions with Students Who Study Abroad

12/24/18 • 25 min

The Homestay Kitchen: Cultural Connections with International Students who Study Abroad

In this episode, we reveal our Christmas past, present and future with our international students. Mary shares her non-Christmas household, but reveals the little things she likes to do for the holidays. While Erin knows something will come together at the last minute for her family's Christmas dinner. Listen for tips on what to do with students while keeping to a budget and a list of all our favourite holiday movies. Plus, how do the holidays differ in their student's home countries? We find out about a Japanese tradition that is finger lickin' good! Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, or even no holiday, we hope you get a break either way. It's really all about the good food coming out of the kitchen and enjoying it with people that you love.

Key Points From This Episode:

Windsock microphone coverings make Erin happy.
Why are Mary’s pants wet?
Who is Mary most excited to visit this holiday season? And will she schlepp the doggy beds?
We talk about visiting local seniors to spread holiday cheer.
Budget friendly activities to celebrate the season with family and students.
What’s on Erin’s baking list?
Erin’s tangent about raisins.
A crib Christmas. #coffeeon
The time Erin’s family stole Grandma.
Conky the Christmas Angel. #conkyusurped #conkythechristmasangel

*#theelflovesconky* - The time Mary’s Mom brought home a tree... but forgot about the rest of Christmas. - A Japanese tradition that is finger lickin’ good! - We discuss our favourite holiday movies.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Smurfs - “Gnap!” Butchart Gardens Festival of Trees Butter tarts (very Canadian) Trailer Park Boys Conky Character Elf Home Alone A Christmas Story Olaf’s Frozen Adventure KFC in Japan

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/homestaykitchen/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/homestaykitchen/ Web – http://homestaykitchen.com/

Key Points From This Episode:

Windsock microphone coverings make Erin happy.
Why are Mary’s pants wet?
Who is Mary most excited to visit this holiday season? And will she schlepp the doggy beds?
We talk about visiting local seniors to spread holiday cheer.
Budget friendly activities to celebrate the season with family and students.
What’s on Erin’s baking list?
Erin’s tangent about raisins.
A crib Christmas. #coffeeon
The time Erin’s family stole Grandma.
Conky the Christmas Angel. #conkyusurped #conkythechristmasangel

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Smurfs - “Gnap!” Butchart Gardens Festival of Trees Butter tarts (very Canadian) Trailer Park Boys Conky Character Elf Home Alone A Christmas Story Olaf’s Frozen Adventure KFC in Japan

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/homestaykitchen/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/homestaykitchen/ Web – http://homestaykitchen.com/

Previous Episode

Diversity, Discrimination, and Balancing Canadian and Japanese Studies with Yoko

In this episode, we chat with Yoko, a Japanese student living with Erin. We examine some serious topics such as diversity and discrimination that she faces here in Canada and how it can be beneficial back home in Japan. We also touch on how she was able to participate in WE Day, a celebration of young leaders in Vancouver, and the balance of Japanese versus Canadian student culture. Plus, we learn how much Yoko is really a child of Erin's and how she's integrated so closely with Erin's family and being a part of Canada.

Key Points From This Episode:

Yoko is a 17 year old Japanese student attending grade 12. She lives with Erin.
She’s been here for almost one year and is leaving in January.
Yoko shares her motivation for studying abroad. #englishisatool
What are her plans for the future?
Yoko talks about the differences between her Japanese and Canadian high school education experiences.
Yoko answers Mary’s burning question about Japanese culture.
Talent Show Performance: Boys Like You (Anna Clendening) #justaproudmama
Who “took” Yoko’s place as the baby of the family?
Yoko talks about life with a little brother and sisters. #butterflykisses
The most difficult and shocking experience of Yoko’s life in Canada is the discrimination she faces.
What advice does she have for other international students?
Yoko talks about her WE Day experience.
Yoko shares her favourite holidays and food. #asparaguscrisp

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Bones Global Village Store Glee WE Day

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/homestaykitchen/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/homestaykitchen/ Web – http://homestaykitchen.com/

Next Episode

Reflection on Relationships, New Beginnings, Health and Soul-Satisfying Decisions

It's the end of 2018... and like everyone else, Erin and Mary reflect on new beginnings, growth, health, and some soul-satisfying decisions that were made in the past year. We also awaken our appreciation for our relationships... to our family, each other, and of course, our students. We get tuned-in on how these partnerships are ever-expanding our lives for the better. So thank you. Thank you for listening, subscribing to the show, and hopefully laughing along with us. We've got some ideas for next year already, but remember, if you have any show ideas, questions or stories to share, email us at [email protected]. That's also a great way to connect if you want to be on the show! We'd love to have you! So Happy New Year to you, whether you are a homestay parent or student! Here's to an adventurous, fearless, and nurturing 2019!

Key Points From This Episode:

We reflect on 2018.
Mary’s eczema #shehasntscratchedtoday
Saying goodbye to students is hard... especially for kids. #hugagiraffe #weareaninternationalfamily
Do you have pets? Erin doesn’t. She shares the story about the time “Candy the cat” got stuck up a tree. #isshecrying
Erin’s family getaway to the beach in Parksville. #goatonaroofincoombs
Erin’s youngest daughter donated her hair and fundraised money for Wigs for Kids BC. #neverhadahaircut #itsnotwhatyouhaveitswhatyougive #wigsforkidsbc
Mary was downsized from her job in radio.
The reasons we launched the podcast. #storiesthatwetelleachother
Mary is coming up on an anniversary.
What will next year bring?