School Immersion at Qualicum, Vancouver Island – 13-18 years – 3 months to 1 school year

Our High School programme on Vancouver Island is aimed at students aged 13 to 18 who are motivated to live a unique and unforgettable experience in Canada.

You will study for 3 months, 4 months, 1 semester or 1 academic year in one of the two high schools in the Qualicum district, where the education system is reputed to be one of the best in the world, and you will share the life of a local family. This programme offers real linguistic and cultural immersion in the heart of Canadian life.

Highlights of the destination

  • Vancouver Island, one of the most beautiful regions of British Columbia
  • A temperate climate
  • A typically Canadian environment, with limited cultural diversity, for a more authentic immersion than in the larger, more cosmopolitan cities
  • A safe and welcoming community, just 2 hours from Victoria and Vancouver
  • 2 high schools offering a variety ofacademies (music, American football, golf, etc.)
  • Activities and excursions organised by the district, so there’s never a dull moment (skiing, visits to Vancouver, whale watching, etc.)

Why Canada?

Canada is the second largest country in the world, and also one of the most remarkable in terms of geographical diversity. But above all, it’s a destination full of advantages for those who want to study there:

  • Quality of life and standard of living among the highest in the world
  • An education system recognised for its excellence and compatible with our European systems
  • A friendly and hospitable population
  • Cultural richness
  • A safe environment and magnificent landscapes.

The United States and Canada are vast countries with vast geographical distances. The car is the main means of transport, and public transport networks are generally underdeveloped, with the exception of certain major cities. International students coming from Europe, where public transport networks are more developed, will have to adapt to this difference when they study in North America, and may have to rethink their travel habits by planning their journeys according to the transport options available.

Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, is renowned for its mild climate – the temperature rarely drops below -2°C in winter – and for its exceptional quality of life. It offers quick access to the city of Vancouver (around 2 hours by ferry or plane) and a wealth of outdoor activities: skiing, surfing, sailing, golf, hiking, horse-riding, skating, etc., as well as a rich cultural and sporting life (theatre, concerts, local events, etc.).

Qualicum, one of the island’s most authentic regions, is located halfway between Nanaimo and the capital Victoria. This safe and typical Canadian community – where cultural diversity remains limited, with only a few Filipino families – offers total English immersion. The pace of life here is peaceful, while offering easy access to the advantages of the neighbouring major cities and the superb scenery of the west coast.

The schools

There are 2 schools in the Qualicum district. Each offers a varied and demanding curriculum, with a wide range of academic, artistic and sporting courses. Each school has between 750 and 1,000 students, including around a hundred international students in total, guaranteeing an authentic Canadian immersion experience.

Students can choose the school that best suits their interests and academic plans. Whichever school they choose, a team of advisers and tutors provide personalised support. International coordinators are also on hand to help students with all aspects of their stay. Teachers and staff ensure that every student can progress and achieve their academic goals.

The district places students in one of two neighbouring communities, Parksville or Qualicum Beach, depending on the school selected, availability and expressed preferences.

Ballenas Secondary

  • Grades 8 – 12
  • 1000 students (100 international)
  • Semester system
  • Location: Parksville
  • Academic courses: English, science, psychology, maths, law, history, etc.
  • Electives: electronics, carpentry, performing arts, IT, entrepreneurship, drama, etc.
  • Sports: American football, basketball, rugby, track & field, volleyball, soccer, golf, ice hockey, fitness/yoga, surfing, etc.
  • Clubs: model UN, robotics, leadership, run club, choir…
  • Special programmes: ROAMS (river, ocean and mountain schools), soccer program, golf program, French immersion, peer listeners, Spanish, ice hockey program

Kwalikum Secondary

  • Grades 8 – 12
  • 750 students (75 international)
  • Semester system
  • Location: Qualicum Beach
  • Academic courses: English, Science, Psychology, Maths, Law, History, etc.
  • Electives: ceramics, carpentry, metalwork, graphic design, guitar, photography, etc.
  • Sports: badminton, basketball, cross country, track & field, volleyball, soccer, golf
  • Clubs: eco-club, robotics, badminton, LGBTQ…
  • Special programmes: ROAMS (river, ocean and mountain schools), soccer programme, golf academy, concert & jazz band, Japanese, French, dance

The courses

The schools follow a semester system, which means that you can choose 4 subjects per semester. Each school offers a wide selection of subjects.

The district offers English as a Foreign Language (ESL) support to students who need it.

Sample timetable (given as an indication)

Extra-curricular activities / excursions

The schools offer a wide selection of extra-curricular sports, arts and leisure club activities accessible to all.

In addition, our partner school organises a programme of activities for foreign students, enabling them to discover the region and meet other international participants in a friendly atmosphere.

Some examples: ice skating, mini golf, skiing, cinema, visit to Vancouver, surfing, etc.

From October to March, the district organises an activity every Wednesday at Ballenas Secondary. All students are welcome. Examples: badminton, climbing, table tennis, etc.

Enrolment in one of these programmes is subject to an additional fee and requires an application. Admission is not guaranteed: the final decision rests with the person in charge of the selected programme.

Receive a video presentation of the ROAMS programme – a great way to find out what’s in store for you – simply by sending us an email.

ROAMS – 2nd school term only

from age 16

ROAMS is an outdoor leadership programme that combines adventure, practical training and recognised qualifications (first aid, CPR, food safety, etc.). Students aged 16 and over take part in activities such as rafting, surfing, kayaking, skiing and climbing, while completing work placements in the adventure tourism sector.

The timetable is flexible and students can take part in activities in the evenings or even at weekends. This programme provides direct preparation for jobs in adventure tourism.

This programme is open to students taking part in a one-year programme.

Global ROAMS – 1st and 2nd school term

from age 15

A more academic and international version of ROAMS, focusing on environmental protection and cultural discovery. Students take courses in environmental science, social studies and physical education, combined with nature outings (kayaking, surfing, climbing, hiking) and activities with First Nations people.

Open to young people with a love of adventure, but also an interest in ecological and cultural issues.

The group is made up of 12 local students and 12 international students.

No extra charge

This program is designed for students considering post-secondary studies in the pure or applied sciences: physics, nursing, astronomy/astrophysics, biology, health sciences, earth sciences, chemistry or engineering.

The course prepares students for the requirements of a university science programme by giving them hands-on experience of the scientific method used in higher education: data collection and analysis, presentation of results, mathematical modelling and use of software tools.

This programme runs throughout the school year (with a free time slot) and includes :

  • Specialized Science 12
  • Statistics 12
  • Computer Science 12
  • IDS 12

Recognised as the most successful golf programme on Vancouver Island, the Pheasant Glen Junior Academy enables students to develop their game while continuing their studies at one of the schools in the Qualicum district.

Theaim is to help young golfers achieve excellence, whether they are aiming for a professional career, a university scholarship or simply wish to progress.

Supervision : professional coaches offering personalised follow-up, training plan and participation in tournaments.

Duration: 10 months, from September to June, with transport provided from the district’s two schools on training days.

Two levels:

  • Train to Play: for developing competitors (handicap approx. 9-18), approx. 200 h of coaching/year
  • Train for Success: for high-level competitors (handicap 3-9), approx. 300 h of coaching/year and preparation for university scholarships

One of the best teams in the province!

Every year, the Whaler Football Program welcomes international students who play a key role in its success. Since its creation in 1999, the team has enjoyed many winning seasons and several appearances at the British Columbia championships.

Objective : to train complete athletes, developing their sporting skills (technique, strategy, physical condition) according to the official rules of American football.

Supervision : high-level coaching based on the Whaler Way spirit – teamwork, responsibility, integrity and respect.

Training:

  • Training camp at the end of August
  • Three training sessions a week and one match a week from September to November
  • Physical preparation from February to April
  • Training camp in May followed by a Jamboree tournament with 3 other teams

Levels: Junior Varsity (grades 9-10) and Senior Varsity (grades 11-12)

Period: 1st school term, at Ballenas Secondary school

Objective : to develop individual skills and understanding of the game, combining technique, strategy and enjoyment of the game, whether you are a beginner or an experienced player.

Training : 40 hours of on-ice practice supervised by Hockey Canada-certified coaches, with personalised follow-up.

Training :

  • Regular on-ice development sessions throughout the semester
  • Technical development exercises and mini-matches to work on vision of the game
  • Possible friendly matches against other teams
  • Participation in the Spirit of Hockey Cup (student vs. teacher match)
  • Trip to a Victoria Royals (WHL) match

Levels: open to beginners and experienced players

Period: 1st school term

Objective: to develop the individual skills and team spirit of students who are passionate about soccer, by working on personal goals, physical fitness, fundamental skills and group dynamics.

Coaching: accessible to all levels (grades 10 to 12), this course guides each player through his or her development, with on-field sessions, in-class workshops and guest speakers.

Training:

  • Regular training sessions on the pitch
  • Conditioning, stretching and nutrition sessions
  • Theoretical sessions in class and lectures by specialists

Period: 1st school term, at Kwalikum Secondary School

Young Canadians study for a minimum of 12 years as they do in Canada. This programme offers foreign students the opportunity to attend a local public secondary school (High School). In the Canadian province of British Columbia, secondary education lasts 5 years, from Grade 8 to Grade 12.

The school year is divided into two semesters. As aninternational student, you can join a class for one semester or for the whole school year.

There are two different school systems in Canada: the semester system and the linear system. In the former, students take 4 courses in the first semester and another 4 in the second, while in the latter, students take 8 courses throughout the year.

In many Canadian schools, the choice of subjects is vast. This is a unique opportunity to discover new fields or perfect a favourite subject.

Some courses are offered for a semester, so students can change subjects in the middle of the year.

There is also plenty of choice when it comes to sporting, cultural and social activities. The school will be a unique opportunity to develop your skills in subjects and activities that you’ve never done before. But it will also be the perfect opportunity to integrate into Canadian life and get to know young people your own age.

AgeBelgiumFranceCanada
13-14secondary 2FourthGrade 8
14-15secondary 3ThirdGrade 9
15-16secondary 4SecondGrade 10
16-17secondary 5PremièreGrade 11
17-18secondary 6TerminaleGrade 12

Canadians are renowned for their hospitality, tolerance and open-mindedness.

Families are carefully selected by the district for their genuine desire to welcome a young foreigner and share their culture with him or her through daily life. This service visits the families’ homes and ensures that they can offer the participant a balanced and warm environment.

There is no such thing as a typical family profile. Each one is unique and reflects the society and way of life of the country you have chosen. Your host family may or may not have children; it may be a blended family or a single-parent family, a single person whose children no longer live at home, retired people or younger people. It’s not the make-up of the family that matters, but their willingness and motivation to share their culture with you.

All the families are native English speakers.

The local correspondent is an experienced person who knows the host families and schools. They visit each school once a week to make sure everything is running smoothly. He or she is available to answer any questions that may arise once you’re on the ground, can help you with the various formalities and is able to react quickly in the event of a problem. He or she is your key contact on site.

Finally, you will be given an emergency number so that you can contact someone on site in the event of an urgent problem.

An orientation takes place in Canada, in the days following your arrival. You will be contacted by your local correspondent, who will be able to answer any questions you may have about your stay and how it is progressing.

  • Must be aged between 13 and 18 at the time of departure
  • Minimum level of English required: A2. If your level does not allow you to follow a programme in English immediately, you will have English as a foreign language courses integrated into your programme. However, we recommend 2 years of school English to get the most out of the courses and activities, especially for those leaving for less than a school year.
  • Have achieved good academic results over the last two academic years
  • Be willing to make new friends and share the daily life of a host family
  • Be motivated, mature and adaptable

Do you meet the conditions for participation?

  1. Fill in the pre-registration form as soon as possible
  2. When we receive it, we’ll send you a provisional confirmation, including the total cost of the stay, a request for payment of €100 (for the language test and the motivation interview), and the full application form for the chosen programme. We will also ask you to send us a copy of your school reports for the last 3 years.
  3. We then invite you to come and take the language test and interview at our offices in Brussels or online. This costs €100 and is payable on receipt of the pre-confirmation. This amount is non-refundable, but can be deducted from the balance of your stay if you are definitively enrolled and accepted on the programme. Part 1 of the application form must be completed and brought with you to the interview.
  4. We will confirm the result no later than 8 days after our interview
  5. If the interview is positive, we ask you to pay a deposit of 25% of the total cost of your stay (with a minimum of €1,800) and to complete all the elements of your application, including letters of recommendation from your teachers and other information needed for us to study your application on site. As soon as your application is complete and we have received payment of the deposit, we will forward it to our partner.
  6. Final acceptance to the programme is given by our partner
  7. Once your application has been accepted, our partner begins the search for and selection of a host family and registers you with the school.

Application deadlines:

  • 30/03 for the start of the school year in September
  • 31/10 for the start of the school year in February

After these dates, it is still possible to enrol, subject to school availability. However, we recommend that you register at least 3 months before the deadline to ensure that you are well prepared for your stay.

For any application that has to be processed urgently (after the registration deadline), a supplement of €250 will be charged.

Travel

Departure is generally scheduled for late August/early September for stays of 3 months to one academic year. A departure is also planned for late January/early February for stays of 3 months, 4 months or a school term. Your host family will meet you at the airport and drive you back at the end of your stay.

Once your enrolment has been accepted and confirmed by our Canadian partner and your application for a study permit has been approved, we can book your travel to Canada, if you wish.

The ticket booked includes as few stopovers as possible and can be changed.

In the event of a change, the airline’s change fees will apply (these vary depending on the airline, generally around €200), as will any difference in fare class.

If you prefer to book your trip yourself, we will provide you with all the information you need to make your reservation.

Arrival airports: Nanaimo, Comox, Qualicum Beach

ETA & Study Permits

The school year is divided into two semesters. As an international student, you can take courses for one semester (in September or February) or for a full academic year, or for 3 or 4 months.

For a stay of one academic year:

You will need to obtain a study permit, which will be issued for the duration of your stay. We will provide you with all the documents you need to obtain it, and will help you through the process. All the information is available on the immigration website.

Please note! Since 31 July 2018, nationals of various European countries have had to have their biometric data taken in order to obtain a study permit. There are 2 centres in France, in Paris and Lyon... For Belgian nationals, the centres in Paris and Düsseldorf are the nearest. This process costs 85 $CAD. For more information, click here.

For a stay of one academic semester or less:

You will simply need to complete an “ETA ” (Electronic Travel Authorization) which you can fill in directly on the immigration website.

This information applies to nationals of the European Union and Switzerland. For non-EU nationals, please consult the immigration website.

For the duration of your stay, you will benefit from full insurance cover, which is included in the registration fee.

Dates 2026-2027

Arrival

  • 3 months: September / February / April
  • 4 months : September / February
  • Semester : September / February
  • School year: September

Return

  • 3 months: end of November / end of April / end of June
  • 4 months: end of December / end of May
  • School term: end of January / end of June
  • School year: end of June

Prices 2026-2027

Fares with flights subject to ticket prices at time of booking

WPCS 42.0.3
Tuition, accommodation, full board, all registration fees included
DurationWithout flightsWith flights
3 months€ 10.795€ 12.695
4 months€ 12.115€ 14.015
1 semester€ 13.425€ 15.325
1 academic year€ 25.265€ 27.165
Special programmes
ROAMS€ 2.350
Global ROAMS€ 1.575
Golf Program - Train to Play€ 2.850
Golf Program - Train for Success€ 6.075
Hockey Academy€ 630
American Football€ 400
Extras - per month
Special dietary requirements: vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free€ 120
Special dietary requirements: vegan, coeliac€ 160

Our prices include:

  • English level test and pre-application interview
  • All documents required to obtain the visa
  • High school registration formalities for the duration of the stay
  • Supervision throughout the stay by the local correspondent
  • Accommodation with the host family, full board (lunch box on school days)
  • Personal assistance, support and advice from our local correspondent
  • Medical insurance
  • Assistance for parents in Europe throughout the stay
  • Official certificate of attendance, including course grades
  • Return journey, if chosen, from Paris or Brussels
  • Return transfer from the airport to the host family
  • An after-school tutoring programme
  • Certain programme/school activities
  • Textbooks and school locker/sports fees

Not included:

  • Excursions and outings, if any
  • Any membership fees for sports or leisure clubs
  • Visa fees
  • Pocket money: allow between $250-300 per month
  • Return travel to destination, depending on option chosen
  • Late registration fees, if any (€250)
  • Special dietary requirements
  • Special programmes

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