School Immersion in Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island – 12-18 years – 1 term, 1 semester or 1 academic year
Our high school programme on Vancouver Island is aimed at students aged 12 to 18 who are motivated to live a unique and unforgettable experience in Canada.
You will spend 1 term, 1 semester or 1 academic year at a Canadian high school in the Cowichan Valley 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
- Cowichan, ideally located halfway between the capital Victoria and the town of Nanaimo
- A friendly, 100% English-speaking community
- Personalised support for international students
- An organised programme of activities for international students
Why Canada?
Canada is the second largest country in the world, and one of the most geographically diverse. But above all, it’s a destination 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.
Vancouver Island, located in British Columbia, is known for its mild climate (temperatures rarely fall below -2° in winter), exceptional quality of life, proximity to the city of Vancouver (1h40 by ferry), the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities (skiing, surfing, sailing, golf, skating, horse-riding, etc.) and to take part in numerous cultural and sporting events (theatre, concerts, entertainment, sporting events, etc.).
The Cowichan Valley, one of the most beautiful regions of British Columbia, is ideally located, halfway between the capital Victoria and the town of Nanaimo (35/40 min drive). Here you’ll discover a friendly, 100% English-speaking community that will quickly integrate you into its daily life. The pace of life here is relaxed and you’ll have easy access to all the advantages that Victoria has to offer.
What do our students think?
The schools
We offer a choice of 4 schools in the Cowichan Valley district. All offer unique and intensive academic programmes and a wide variety of courses. They welcome between 300 and 1,500 students a year. A relatively small number of international students attend the schools, making the experience even more authentic.
Whatever the size of the school, there is a team of advisers 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.
Our local partner is responsible for placing students in one of the communities in and around the town of Duncan, depending on availability and your preferences:
- Chemainus Secondary School: a 300-student school located in Chemainus, 15 minutes north of Duncan. This ocean-side town is famous for its outdoor murals. All its students and staff take part in the province’s zero-waste policy and work together on numerous recycling activities.
- Cowichan Secondary School: a 1,500-student school located in the centre of Duncan. It has a reputation for academic, artistic and sporting excellence. Its students regularly take part in national maths competitions, while its various sports teams have won their respective provincial championships several times.
- Lake Cowichan Secondary School: a 320-student school located in the pretty town of Lake Cowichan, 20 minutes west of Duncan. This lakeside area offers many outdoor activities, including canoeing, fishing and hiking. Numerous lunchtime activities, such as group games, sports and film screenings, are an integral part of the lively daily life at the school.
- Frances Kelsey Secondary School: this school is located in a modern building in the town of Mill Bay, a pretty rural community on the edge of the ocean. This school is one of the few to offer a model of independent, tutor-led learning. Its educational programme combines traditional classroom teaching with free time where students can work with their teachers in one-to-one sessions.
The courses
The schools in the Cowichan district offer excellent quality teaching in science. In addition to English as a Foreign Language (compulsory), you can choose 4 subjects per semester. Each school offers a wide selection of subjects. Here are a few examples:
- Academic courses: maths, sciences, foreign languages, …
- Journalism, Writing and Yearbook
- IT, animation and computer graphics
- Applied Skills: robotics, foods, textiles, fashion designs, woodwork, metal work, …
- Music and Art: jazz, guitar, photography, drama and theatre, …
- Forsenic Science: “crime scene investigation” and technique practice
- Search and Rescue: survival skills
- Rock Climbing
English courses
Do you have a poor level of English? No worries. There is no minimum level of English required to take part in this programme. English as a foreign language courses, as well as the permanent support of a tutor for each international student, are included in your tuition.
Extra-curricular activities / excursions
The schools offer a wide selection of extra-curricular activities, including sports, arts and leisure clubs, which are accessible to all.
In addition, our partner school organises a programme of activities (for example, it has its own ski club and golf course) for international students (around twice a month), giving everyone the chance to discover the region and meet other international participants in a friendly atmosphere. An excursion (to Vancouver, another city/region in the province, Spring Break, etc.) is also planned for September, October, April and May.
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 Canadian province of British Columbia, secondary education lasts 5 years, from Grade 8 to Grade 12.
The school year is divided into two semesters.Asaninternational 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 to 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 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 make-up of the family that matters, but their willingness and motivation to share their culture with you.
The families are all native English speakers. They generally live within a 30-minute transport or walking distance of the school.
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 site, 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.
To ensure that your stay goes as smoothly as possible and that you are informed of the various elements of the programme, you will be able to attend an orientation meeting organised by Langues Vivantes in Brussels, at the end of May/beginning of June or online at the end of November/beginning of December, depending on your departure date. This is an opportunity for Langues Vivantes students to meet and exchange questions and experiences with each other and with the Langues Vivantes team. It is also at this meeting that the final administrative formalities are launched.
If you don’t live in Belgium, we can organise an online connection to attend the meeting live.
A second 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 2024 – 2025
School year
- Programme starts : between 1 and 4 September
- Programme ends: between 25 and 28 June
Schoolsemester
- Programme starts : between 1 and 4 September or 28 and 30 January
- End of programme: 26 or 27 January or between 25 and 28 June
Prices 2024-2025
Fares with flights subject to ticket prices at time of booking
| Tuition, accommodation, full board, taxes, and registration fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Price without flights | Price with flights |
| 3 months | € 8.095 | € 9.995 |
| 4 months | € 10.695 | € 12.595 |
| 1 Academic Semester (5 months) | € 12.795 | € 14.695 |
| 1 Academic Year (10 months) | € 21.945 | € 23.845 |
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)
- Local transport
- 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 (please contact us for prices from other cities)
- Return transfer from the airport to the host family
Not included:
- Any excursions and outings
- Any membership fees for sports or leisure clubs
- Visa fees
- Pocket money: allow between $250-300 per month
- Return trip to Victoria or Nanaimo, depending on the option chosen
Dates 2025 – 2026
School year
- Programme starts : early September
- End of programme: end of June
Schoolsemester
- Programme starts : beginning of September or end of January
- End of programme: end of January or end of June
Prices 2025-2026
Fares with flights subject to ticket prices at time of booking
| Tuition, accommodation, full board, taxes, and registration fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Price without flights | Price with flights |
| 3 months | € 8.425 | € 10.325 |
| 4 months | € 11.025 | € 12.925 |
| 1 Academic Semester (5 months) | € 13.245 | € 15.145 |
| 1 Academic Year (10 months) | € 22.915 | € 24.815 |
| Supplements | ||
| Celial diet (per month) | € 235 | |
| Vegetarian diet (per month) | € 120 | |
| Vegan diet (per month) | € 160 | |
| Additional nights (per night) | € 40 | |
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)
- Local transport
- 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 (please contact us for prices from other cities)
- Return transfer from the airport to the host family
Not included:
- Any excursions and outings
- Any membership fees for sports or leisure clubs
- Visa fees
- Pocket money: allow between $250-300 per month
- Return journey to Victoria or Nanaimo, depending on the option chosen
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