Canada Homestay Network

Happy Canada Day!

Today, we celebrate the people, communities, and cultures that make Canada such a welcoming place to call home.

Every year, host families across the country open their doors to students from around the world, sharing everyday moments that create lifelong friendships and global connections.

Thank you to our incredible host families, students, school partners, and communities for making Canada feel like home. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Canada Day!

"You eat peanut paste on bread for lunch?"

Peanut butter is a staple in many Canadian households, but for some international students, it's one of the most puzzling foods they encounter.

In Japan, peanut butter is called “peanut cream,” and is often used in sweet treats and desserts. In Mexico, it may have a hint of chilli to spice it up, and is used in savoury dishes like mole and salsa.

In China and Thailand, ground roasted peanuts are used in several dishes, more as a sauce (think chicken satay with peanut sauce).

In other words, the idea of spreading a thick, sticky peanut paste on bread and calling it lunch might be completely unfamiliar to your student!

One of the joys of hosting is discovering that the foods you barely think about can be fascinating, confusing, or even funny to someone experiencing them for the first time.

What’s a food you assumed everyone ate until you met someone from another country?

CHN’s Homestay Tips are powered by , our former CEO and proud member of the CHN founding family and author of “The Heart of Homestay: Creating Meaningful Connections When Hosting International Students."

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