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High school exchange program in Canada
Immerse yourself in the Canadian way of life, living with a host family and studying at a local high school on a short-term or semester exchange program.
Experience real life in the Great White North
Student exchange program in Canada
A land full of adventures waiting to be taken – skiing, skating, ice hockey, but also kayaking, canoeing, hiking and camping in the great outdoors. If Canada is on the table, there’s surely fun to be had!
Canadians are known for being kind, tolerant and open-minded. Other staples of Canadian society and culture are personal well-being, respect towards others, and celebrating diversity and inclusion. Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Australia’s cooler cousin?
Keyword: always be yourself
Inclusiveness
In Canadian schools, inclusiveness is a true point of strength. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or how you look, you’ll be accepted for who you are. A bit like joining a team where everyone works to achieve a shared goal, and diversity is seen as an added value.
What’s high school like in Canada?
Your spirit animal
Each Canadian school has a local native animal as their mascot: moose, beaver, seal... whichever yours will be, it will stay with you forever. A symbol to embody the strength of the Canadian school spirit.
Sense of belonging
The concept of school spirit in Canada focuses on ensuring all students are well integrated into the school community and feel included. Ready to become a true Canadian and represent your school with pride?
Provinces and school districts
Each Canadian province and territory is responsible for its own education system, similarly to Australia. Depending on the area, the curriculum may be taught in English or French. On your exchange program, classes will be in English.
Top of the class
Canada is much more than just impressive scenery: it is also a country where life is good - high employment rates, high life expectancy, abundant culture, low crime rates... education is easily accessible and Canadian students can benefit from safe, nurturing learning environments.
A big country, lots of choice. Which exchange experience suits you best?
Live the dream – create a tailor-made program
On a Flex program to Canada, it's up to you choose where you'll live, which sports you’d like to try and which subjects you’d like to study. In short, you create an experience that's tailored to you.
Flex programs offer a very similar experience to Classic Exchange programs, with placement in a host family and enrolment in a local school. However, host families receive a payment or subsidy, and tuition fees are usually charged by the host school.
Flex programs are not registered and supervised by our Regulating Authorities in Australia, as they do not meet the requirement of a volunteer host family and a volunteer host school applying to Classic Exchange programs. However, WEP requires the same level of screening and quality of placements from the overseas partner organisations, and program rules and expectations of our students are the same.
Paid homestay family
Tuition fees (included in the program fee)
Placement in your chosen school district
Short-term or semester programs available
Your host family during your exchange year
Gain a second family – they can’t wait to welcome you into their lives!
Here is why:
Canadian families are known for their welcoming, tolerant attitude. Cultural exchange is a familiar concept over there, and you will be treated as a member of the family from the very beginning.
You will share many unique experiences with your Canadian family. From traditional celebrations, typical foods, or simple family moments, long-lasting memories and bonds will be formed.
Your host family will be at your side during your Canadian adventure. Whether it’s to help you with homework, guide you in your choice of activities, or give you a hug if you’re feeling homesick, they are there to help you integrate and you’ll be able to rely on them.
Your school in Canada
Find out more about your school experience in Canada
The Canadian education system
School in Canada is divided into 12 levels (grades): grades 1 to 6 for primary school students aged 6-12, and grades 7 to 12 for secondary school students aged 12 to 18. However, each province has its own peculiarities, such as Québec, where school ends a year earlier.
The Canadian education system
Subjects in Canada
As a high school exchange student to Canada, you will be able to create a personalised study plan for yourself, including a few core subjects (usually three or four) and electives, chosen amongst a wide range including marketing, tourism, information technology, accounting... you will certainly find something to pique your interest!
Subjects in Canada
High School in Canada
Senior high school in Canada comprises of three years:
- 10th grade – Sophomore: 15-16 years old
- 11th grade – Junior: 16-17 years old
- 12th grade – Senior: 17-18 years old
At the conclusion of secondary school, Canadian students obtain a high school diploma that allows access to university.
High School in Canada
Extra-curricular activities
While the offer may vary from school to school, participation in extra-curricular activities is important to keep active, make new friendships and express your creativity. Whether it’s through sport, or through recreational activities such as cultural and social pursuits, you’re bound to find something you’ll enjoy and have fun with!
Extra-curricular activities
The school calendar
The Canadian academic year starts between late August/early September and ends in June. There will be breaks during the year, such as the Christmas holidays (also known as winter break, from late December until early January), spring break (usually in March, although some provinces have it in April) and summer vacation in July and August.
You will also come across national, regional, and local public holidays, on which there is no school. Here is a brief list of holidays shared by all provinces:
* New Year's Day: 1st January, great atmosphere and fireworks surrounded by the snow
* Good Friday and Easter Monday: April - did you know Canadians have hot cross buns too?
* Victoria Day: May, a homage to Queen Victoria
* Canada Day: 1st July, with celebrations across the country and guaranteed fun
* Thanksgiving: October, when everyone gathers around a roasted turkey
* Christmas: 25th December, family time
* Boxing Day: 26th December
The school calendar
Grades in Canada
In Canada, academic grading varies by province, as well from school to school. It is quite common for grades to be expressed with letters from A or A+ to F, where C is the minimum passing grade. Some schools prefer to use a numerical scale from 1 to 100, where a 60 is required to pass.
Grades in Canada
Stories from students and parents who have been there
Here are the testimonials of families who have chosen WEP for their exchange experience.
Anno all’estero Welcome Camp
Tre giorni indimenticabili a Toronto
Sai come puoi iniziare al meglio l’anno all’estero in Canada? Con un Welcome Camp di tre giorni a Toronto! Puoi scegliere di partecipare ad un viaggio di 3 giorni in una delle città più famose del Nord America con altri *exchange students *WEP. È l’occasione perfetta per conoscere altri ragazzi che vivranno la tua stessa avventura. Inizierai a scopire il Canada dall’iconica città di Toronto! Sul posto, saremo noi ad occuparci di tutto: trasferimenti dall’aeroporto, trasporti locali, visite, vitto e alloggio con pensione completa. Alla fine, ti aiuteremo a raggiungere la tua destinazione finale.
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Going with WEP is best
Since 1988, a wide choice of destinations and comprehensive assistance before, during and after your overseas program. WEP is the ideal partner for your adventure.
We also get to choose who we travel with: our schools, host families and overseas partner organisations are carefully selected.
We offer a custom-made insurance policy, specifically designed for our participants, and we have a solid network behind us.
Emergency assistance, overseas and from Australia, is available 7 days out of 7, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Allowing all our participants to live their desired overseas experience is a mission, a challenge we're thrilled to accept.
FAQ
Your host family, local coordinator and your host organisation will provide you with support while you are overseas. WEP Australia will remain in contact with the host organisation and your parents to coordinate and support your experience. In case of an emergency, both you and your family will be able to call an emergency phone number that is answered 24/7.
You will be advised of your placement location, host family and host school as soon as feasible. This can range from a few months prior to departure, right up until departure, as a lot needs to happen behind the scenes before each student's placement process is complete and can be communicated to you with certainty. The placement process doesn't only include sourcing a suitable host family, but also finding availability at a local school, and completing all red tape (including, for example, lenghty criminal history checks in some countries). Prior to departure from Australia, all students will receive host family, host school and local coordinator details.
Independent travel is not permissible while on exchange. However, you will be able to travel with your host family, school, host organisation and other community groups such as sporting teams or scouts. Again, the foremost aim of the program is educational, and your priority for any holiday periods must be your host family, who will be investing a lot of time, energy and money into this experience - simply in return for your frienship and positive contribution to their household.
Generally speaking, overseas schools won't issue a diploma to exchange students who are only there for a short time and don't graduate at that school. You may however be provided with a honorary certificate, as well as a WEP certificate of completion, which however don't count towards credit or graduation in Australia.
Language experience is desirable, but not necessary, for most countries. However, some countries have mandatory language requirements. You'll find the specific requirements for each country listed on its page. Intensive language courses may, in some circumstances, meet language pre-requisites. WEP strongly recommends language preparation prior to departure as language knowledge is of enormous benefit in assisting you to quickly adapt to your new family, school and life.
Of course, there are English-speaking destinations available if you are not interested in learning another language.
No, it's the host families who choose the student they wish to invite into their home. Based on the documents you will submit as part of your WEP application, one lucky family will choose to open their home and hearts to you, which is why for all Exchange Classic programs, and many Flex programs as well, there is no avenue for students to choose a specific location.
It may be possible to live with an overseas family that you already know (excluding relatives of the student). However, the family will have to be screened and approved, prepared and supported by our partner organisation in the same manner as any other host family. School enrolment must also be available.
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