School Immersion in Thunder Bay, Ontario – 13-17 years – 3 months to 1 academic year
Our high school programme in Thunder Bay is aimed at all students aged 13 to 17 who are motivated to live a unique and unforgettable experience in Canada.
You will spend a term, a semester or an academic year at a Canadian high school in the Lakehead school district in Thunder Bay, where the education system is reputed to beone of the best in the world, and you will share the daily life of a Canadian family. This programme offers real linguistic and cultural immersion in the heart of Canadian life.
Highlights of the destination
- Located on the magnificent shores of Lake Superior
- Spectacular scenery in the heart of the Canadian Shield and the boreal forest
- Unlimited winter sports, water sports and outdoor activities
- Thunder Bay is the centre of cultural and economic life in north-western Ontario and welcomes many tourists
- Proximity to the United States
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 that’s full of advantages for those who want to study here:
- 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.
Our partner schools are located in Thunder Bay, a dynamic and modern city in the north-west of the province ofOntario, on the shores of Lake Superior.
Located in the heart of a region of sumptuous landscapes (Sleeping Giant National Park, the Boreal Forest, the Canadian Shield, some 150,000 lakes and rivers, etc.), Thunder Bay welcomes tourists from all over: nature lovers, sports enthusiasts of all kinds, but also thrill-seekers – the longest zip line in Canada is in the region!
The Lakehead district is made up of 25 primary schools, 3 secondary schools and an outdoor education centre 25 minutes from Thunder Bay, where students take part in field studies to complement their curriculum (GPS and orienteering, Ecology, Biology, Aquatic Ecology) and take part in sporting activities (canoeing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, camping, etc.).
Schools and courses
Hammarskjold Vikings
Enrolment: 860 students
Grades (classes): 9 to 12
Wide range of general educationcourses , including a wide selection of language and art courses
Specialist courses: Justice, Community Safety, Emergency Services, Construction, Hairstyling & Aesthetics
Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute
Enrolment: 700 students
Grades (classes): 9 to 12
Wide range of general educationcourses
International Baccalaureate (IB) programme (2 years)
Technological education: Transportation, Manufacturing, Constructions, Communication Technology
Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute
Enrolment: 1000 students
Grades (classes): 9 to 12
Wide range of general educationcourses
Specialist courses: Arts and Culture (Music, Drama, Visual Arts), Aviation & Aerospace, Transportation
State-of-the-artinfrastructure and facilities
You can indicate a school preference when you enrol, but our local partner will make the final decision on your placement, based on your profile, the subjects you wish to study, the students already enrolled and their nationalities.
The courses
You can choose 4 subjects from those taught by the school (each school has its own list of subjects). If you need to, you can also take English as a Foreign Language courses, to improve your knowledge and skills in writing and understanding English.
English language courses
Your level of English will be assessed on arrival. If it proves to be a little too weak to be able to understand the content of the academic courses as soon as you arrive, you will have the option of taking English as a foreign language courses in addition to or instead of the academic courses.
Young Canadians study for a minimum of 12 years, as they do here. This programme offers foreign students the opportunity to attend a local public secondary school (High School). In the province of Ontario, the school system is identical to that in the United States. The High School covers the 4 years of upper secondary education.
The school year is divided into two semesters. As aforeign 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 have the opportunity to 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.
Canadians are renowned for their hospitality, tolerance and open-mindedness.
Families are carefully selected by the district accommodation service 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 composition of the family that’s important, but their willingness and motivation to share their culture with you.
The local coordinator is an experienced person who knows the host families and schools. They meet the foreign students once a week at their school to make sure that everything is going well.
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.
Dates 2025-2026
Stays from 3 months to one academic year. The arrival date should preferably correspond to the start of a semester, to ensure the best possible integration.
- School year: September to June
- School semester: September to January or February to June
Arrival and departure dates :
- Arrival from 26/08 or 30/01
- Departure before 30/11, 30/01, 30/04 or 30/06
Prices for 2025-2026
Prices with flights subject to ticket prices at time of booking
| Tuition, accommodation, full board, all fees included | ||
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Without flights | With flights* |
| 3 months | € 8.765 | € 10.665 |
| 1 school term (5 months) | € 13.895 | € 15.795 |
| 1 school year (10 months) | € 23.795 | € 25.695 |
| *Return flight from Brussels or Paris | ||
| Supplements | ||
| Additional night (outside the dates of stay) | € 55 | |
| Special diet (vegetarian, pescetarian, lactose or gluten intolerance*) - per month | € 200 | |
| Placement in grade 7 or 8 - per month | € 150 | |
| UM service | € 350 | |
| *The following diets are not accepted: coeliac, halal, vegan, kosher. | ||
Our prices include :
- English level test and pre-application interview
- High school registration formalities for the duration of the stay
- Accommodation with a 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
- Regular contact and evaluation reports
- Official certificate of attendance with course grades
- Return transfer from Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) to the family
- Return flight, if chosen, from Brussels or Paris
- All documents required to obtain the visa
Not included :
- Any excursions and outings
- Any visa fees (for stays of more than 6 months)
- Transport to and from school, if required
- Optional insurance
- Pocket money: allow between $250-300 per month
- Return trip to Thunder Bay International (YQT), depending on the option chosen
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