School immersion in Vancouver – Burnaby – 14-18 years old – 3 months to 1 academic year
Our High School programme in the Burnaby region of Vancouver offers an enriching international experience for students aged 14 to 18, motivated to live a unique and memorable adventure in Canada.
You will spend 3 months, a semester or an academic year at a Canadian high school located in the Burnaby district, an attractive region on the outskirts of Vancouver. The education system in this district is reputed to be one of the best in the country, guaranteeing a quality academic experience. Share the daily life of a local host family for a cultural and linguistic immersion in the heart of Canadian life.
By enrolling in our study abroad programme in Vancouver, you’ll have the opportunity to improve your English, familiarise yourself with Canadian culture and discover the magnificent landscapes of the Burnaby region. Take advantage of the extra-curricular activities available to enrich your trip and create unforgettable memories during your language study stay in Canada.
Highlights of the destination
- Close to Vancouver, beaches, mountains and ski resorts
- Excellent accessibility thanks to an efficient public transport network
- A dynamic and enriching student life
- One of the largest AP (Advanced Placement) programmes in North America
- A wide range of academic options, including sports and arts academies
- An orientation week on arrival with an excursion to Grouse Mountain
- 8 field trips throughout the year organized by the school district
Why Canada?
Canada is the second largest country in the world. It’s one of the most outstanding countries in terms of geographical diversity. First and foremost, Canada is full of adventure and advantages for those wishing to study there. Some of these advantages include:
- Quality and standard of living is among the highest in the world
- Educational system recognized for excellence and consistent with our European systems
- Friendliness and hospitality of its people
- Cultural wealth
- Safe environment and landscapes.
The United States and Canada are vast countries where geographical distances are significant. The primary mode of transportation is by car, and public transportation networks are generally underdeveloped, except in some major cities. International students coming from Europe, where public transportation networks are more developed, may need to adapt to this difference when studying in North America. They might need to reconsider their travel habits by planning their journeys according to the available transportation options.
Located just outside Vancouver, Burnaby is a family-friendly, multicultural and vibrant city. With a population of 270,000, Burnaby is well served by an excellent public transport network. Thanks to the SkyTrain, Vancouver can be reached in 30 minutes, and in 45 minutes you can go skiing in the mountains.
The district is home to students of 40 different nationalities, making for total immersion in English.
The schools
We work in partnership with the Burnaby school district, which welcomes foreign students in 8 different schools. All offer unique and intensive academic programmes and a wide variety of courses.
All also offer an English as a Foreign Language programme to give international students the support they need.
Each school has a team of counsellors and tutors who provide ongoing support for students, as well as international coordinators who advise students on all aspects of their stay. The school’s teachers and staff pay close attention to each student to help them achieve their goals.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for a detailed profile of the schools, so that you can choose the one you would like to attend.
Each school has the following facilities:
- Art studios
- Cafeteria with hot food
- Computer labs
- Dance studio
- Drama studio
- Science labs
- Weight room
- 2 gymnasiums
- Home Economics labs
- Industrial Technology labs
- Library
- Multi-purpose rooms
- Music rooms
- Sports fields
- Media & Graphic labs
- School store
Here are the list of the schools and links to their respective websites:
- Grades 9 to 12 (14-18 years old)
- 1 400 students
- Linear system
- Extensive AP Programme (grades 11 & 12)
- Strong in Maths and Sciences
- Health Sciences Programme
Burnaby South Secondary School
- Grades 9 to 12 (14-18 years old)
- 1 800 students
- Linear system
- Numerous AP courses (grades 11 & 12) & AP Capstone Programme (similar to IB)
- Various courses in the performing arts (orchestra, television broadcasting…)
- CISCO Networking Academy
- Championship Basketball teams
- Grades 9 to 12 (14-18 years old)
- 1 050 students
- Semester system
- Numerous AP courses (grades 11 & 12)
- Media Arts Certification Programme
- Dance & Musical Theatre Company
- University Super Science lab
- Grades 9 to 12 (14-18 years old)
- 1 000 students
- Linear system
- Numerous AP courses (grades 11 & 12)
- DigiPen Academy (video games, IT, , informatique, animation and digital design)
- Pre-Engineering Summit (STEM) Programme
- Volleyball Academy
Burnaby Mountain Secondary School
- Grades 9 to 12 (14-18 years old)
- 1 400 students
- Semester system
- Strong academic results & AP programme (grades 11 & 12)
- Easy access to SFU Sports Academies
- Over 75 clubs, including Module UN
- Grades 9 to 12 (14-18 years old)
- 1 400 students
- Semester system
- Strong academic results & AP programme (grades 11 & 12)
- Robotics Academy
- Beta Mini School (advanced programme for gifted students in mathematics, science and technology – grade 9)
Burnaby North Secondary School
- Grades 9 to 12 (14-18 years old)
- 1 700 students
- Linear system
- Numerous AP courses (grades 11 & 12) & AP Capstone Programme (similar to IB)
- Various courses in the performing arts (orchestra, 70-piece marching band…)
- Popular Film & Broadcasting Programme
- Brand new state-of-the-art facility
- Hockey & Soccer Academies
Burnaby Central Secondary School
- Grades 9 to 12 (14-18 years old)
- 1 460 students
- Semester system
- Strong academic results & AP programme (grades 11 & 12)
- More than 11 top-level sports teams (volleyball, rugby, soccer, etc.)
- Various courses in the performing arts, including a 100-member choir
- Outstanding facility with 225-seat theatre
The courses
You can select 4 to 8 subjects from those taught by the school.
In most Canadian schools, the choice of subjects is vast: business, science, tourism, technology arts, psychology, maths, physics, chemistry, softball, curling, management, visual arts, theatre, photography, etc.
This is a unique opportunity to discover new subjects, or to perfect your skills in a particular area. The school generally imposes one or other subject, but you can then supplement your timetable with a choice of courses, depending on availability. In fact, some courses are only given in the 1st semester and others in the second. It is also possible for a course to be fully booked.
You can also follow a specific English as a foreign language programme to make up for any shortcomings.
Whatever the case, an advisor or tutor will be on hand to help you organise your work.
Young Canadians study for a minimum of 12 years in the same way as at home. 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 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.
Canadians are well-known for their hospitality, their tolerance and openness.
Families are carefully selected by the district’s accommodation service based on their genuine desire to host a young foreigner and share their culture with them through everyday life. This service visits the families’ homes and ensures they can provide the participant with a balanced and welcoming environment.
There is no typical family profile. Each one is unique and reflects the society and lifestyle of the country you have chosen. The family hosting you may have children or not; they may be a blended family or a single-parent family, a single person whose children no longer live at home, retirees, or younger individuals. It is not the composition of the family that matters, but rather their availability and motivation to share their culture with you.
Travel time between home and school varies, but families generally live no more than 60 minutes away by public transport.
In Burnaby, you will have 2 main contacts: a school coordinator and a homestay coordinator.
The school coordinator is a person who is present at your school and who can help you with anything to do with the school environment. The Burnaby district is unique in that it has Student Advisors who work closely with the homestay coordinators to resolve problems quickly and offer additional support if necessary.
The homestay coordinator knows the host families and schools. They are there to ensure that everything runs smoothly within the family. He or she is available to answer any questions that may arise once you are in the host family, can help you with the various formalities and is able to react quickly in the event of a problem.
Finally, an emergency number will be given to you so that you can contact someone on site in the event of an urgent problem.
When you arrive in Canada, you’ll take part in an orientation week organised by the Burnaby district. You will have the opportunity to meet other international students, visit your school before the 1st day of classes and take part in activities, including an excursion to Grouse Mountain.
Dates 2025-2026
School dates :
- 3 months: September – November / February – April / April – June
- Semester: September – January / February – June
- Academic year: September – June
Fees 2025-2026
Fares with flights subject to ticket prices at time of booking
| Tuition, homestay, full board, registration fees included | ||
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Price without flights | Price with flights* |
| 3 months | € 10.195 | € 12.095 |
| 1 Academic Semester (5 months) | € 17.095 | € 18.995 |
| 1 Academic year (10 months) | € 29.785 | € 31.685 |
| *Flights from Brussels or Paris | ||
| Supplements | ||
| Special dietary requirements - vegetarian, pescetarian, gluten or lactose intolerant, vegan, kosher, halal (per month)* | € 300 | |
| Extra night | € 50 | |
| *Celiac disease not accepted | ||
| Transfers fro/to Detroit airport | ||
| Special diet - vegetarian, pescetarian, gluten or lactose intolerant (per month)* | ||
| Special diet - vegan, kosher, halal (per month) | ||
| Extra night | ||
| Grades 7 & 8 (per month) | ||
| *Celiac disease not accepted | ||
Our fees include:
- English language test and pre-application interview
- All the documents needed to obtain a visa
- High school registration formalities for the duration of the stay
- Supervision throughout the stay by the local coordinator
- Accommodation with the host family, full board (lunch box on school days)
- Orientation on arrival
- Personal assistance, support and advice from our local coordinator
- 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 the airport to the host family
- Return flight, if chosen, from Brussels or Paris
They don’t include:
- Any excursions and outings
- Any membership fees for sports or leisure clubs
- Local transport
- Visa fees
- Pocket money: allow between $250-300 per month
- Return journey to Vancouver, depending on the option chosen
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