School Immersion in the Rocky Mountains, British Columbia – 13-18 years – 1 semester or 1 academic year

Our school programme in the Rocky Mountain district of British Columbia is aimed at students aged 13 to 18 who are motivated to live a unique and unforgettable experience in Canada.

You will study for the duration of your choice, a semester or an academic year, in a Canadian high school in the Rocky Mountain 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 at the heart of Canadian life.

Highlights of the destination

  • Safe, family-friendly communities with excellent amenities
  • Less than 5% international students
  • Numerous activities included in the cost of the stay (rafting, skiing, dog sledding, etc.)
  • A typically Canadian lifestyle, with 4 seasons of active families
  • Natural beauty and scenery (golf courses, hot springs, hiking, winter activities, 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 large 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.

The Rocky Mountain District is offering immersion in one of their public schools located in the following regions: Golden, Invermere, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Sparwood, Revelstoke, Sicamous, Salmon Arm, Enderby or Armstrong.

The schools are renowned for their small class sizes, supportive teachers and low ratio of international to Canadian students. All secondary schools in the district are committed to academic excellence in innovative, collaborative and stimulating learning environments.

The schools

The Rocky Mountain district covers a large area across the Rocky Mountain range. There are so many schools to choose from that it can be difficult to decide which one to attend. All the schools have something special to offer!

All schools are committed to academic excellence, and students from all communities have access to monthly activities and community facilities such as skating rinks, tennis courts and swimming pools.

If you have a specific interest or request, please contact us for more information about the schools.

Classes generally run from 8.45am to 3.15pm, with a lunch break in the middle of the day.

Contact us to receive the schools comparison chart.

The courses

Schools offer a wide range of subjects: Band, Choir, Music composition, Theather/Acting, Computers, Food Studies, Media Arts, Robotics, Photography, Woodwork/Metalwork, Sports, Philosophy, English, Biology, Law, Leadership, Spanish, Japanese, etc.

Extra-curricular activities

International students are strongly encouraged to get involved in the extra-curricular activities on offer at each school: various sports, theatre, orchestra, student clubs, voluntary work, etc

In addition to the activities offered at each school, the district organises monthly activities for international students, which are included in the tuition fees.

The district also organises an optional 5-day trip to Vancouver during the spring break.

Example of activities

Young Canadians study for a minimum of 12 years. 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 an international 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 semester system, students take 4 courses in the first semester and 4 more in the second semester, while in the linear system, students take 8 courses throughout the year.

At Rocky Mountain, years 10 to 12 follow a semester system.

In many Canadian schools, the choice of subjects is vast. This is a unique opportunity to discover new fields or to 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 correspondent is an experienced person who knows the host families and schools. He or she is available to answer any questions you may have once you’re on the ground, can help you with the various formalities and can react quickly in the event of a problem. They are your first point of 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 coordinator, who will be able to answer any questions you may have about the programme.

  • 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 one 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 Paris. 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:

  • 15/06 for the start of the school year in September
  • 15/12 for the start of the school year in February

It is important to note that these dates are only indicative. The programme may be full before these dates.

For any application that has to be processed urgently (after the registration deadline), a supplement of €200 will be charged.

Please contact us for more information on how to apply.

Applicants who do not meet the age or level requirements are invited to meet with us to discuss other possible options.

Travel

Departure is generally scheduled for the end of August for stays of between one semester and one academic year. A departure is also planned for the end of January for semester-long stays. Your family or local contact 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 arrange for you to 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 the booking.

ETA & Study Permits

The school year is divided into two semesters. As a foreign student, you can take courses for a semester (in September or February) or for a full academic year, or for a shorter period, from 1 to 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 with the formalities. For more information, visit https://www.canada.ca/fr/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/etudier-canada/permis-etudes/presenter-demande.html.

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. The process costs CAD$85. For more information: https: //www.canada.ca/fr/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/campagnes/biometrie.html

You will also need to complete the “ETA ” (Electronic Travel Authorization) form, which you can fill in directly on the website: https: //www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html

For a stay of one school term or less:

You will simply need to complete an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), which you can fill in directly on the website: https: //www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html

This information applies to nationals of the European Union and Switzerland. For non-EU citizens, please consult https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html

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

Dates 2025-2026

  • School year : September to June
  • School term: September to January or February to June

Compulsory arrival dates :

  • 29-31 August 2025
  • 24-25 January 2026

Prices 2025-2026

Fares with flights subject to ticket prices at time of booking

WPCS 42.0.3
Tuition, homestay, full board, all registration fees included
DuréeWithout flightsWith flights
1 semester€ 14.495€ 16.395
1 academic year€ 24.250€ 26.150
Supplements
Extra night€ 50
Extra transfer (per way)€ 150
Special diets (per month)*from 100€ to 250€
*Fee varies depending on individual requirements including but not limited to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, ketogenic/high protein/athlete/large appetite.

Our prices include:

  • English level test and pre-application interview
  • All documents required to obtain a visa
  • High school registration formalities for a semester or academic year
  • 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 with transcript of marks
  • Return transfer from the airport to the host family
  • Return flight, if chosen, from Brussels or Paris

Not included:

  • Any excursions and outings
  • Any membership fees for sports or leisure clubs
  • Visa fees
  • Local transport
  • Pocket money: allow between $250-300 per month
  • Return flight to the designated airport, according to the option selected

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