Exchanges Canada
www.exchanges.gc.ca
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FAQ for Parents and Guardians
- How can my child participate in an exchange or forum?
- How much does participation in an exchange or forum cost?
- What do we need to do to prepare?
- Where will my child stay?
- How will my child’s safety be ensured?
- How are host families selected?
- How can we host an exchange participant?
- How will my teen travel?
- Will I need to host a student?
- My child wants to go abroad. How can Exchanges Canada help?
- How old does my child have to be to participate?
- Do you provide funding to be a host family?
- Can we host a foreign student?
- My child has special needs. Can he or she still participate?
- Where can my child go on an exchange or forum?
- What kinds of activities do exchanges and forums offer to participants?
- What are the benefits for my teen?
- What’s a forum?
- My teen is not Canadian. Can he or she still participate?
- How long does an exchange last? What about a forum?
- Can more than one of my children participate in the same forum or exchange?
- Can my child participate with a friend?
- Who do I contact for more information?
- How is the partner group selected?
- How are exchange partners matched?
- Where can I find promotional material about exchanges and forums?
How can my child participate in an exchange or forum?
Once you’ve sparked your teen’s interest in one or more of the exchanges or forums listed on this website, have your child talk to his or her teacher or youth group leader. They can help to organize an experience for your child or his or her class or club. You can also visit the delivery organization’s Web site to inquire about the application process.
How much does participation in an exchange or forum cost?
Through its delivery organizations, Exchanges Canada generally reimburses approved organizers for return transportation for the youth and their chaperones.
Costs vary depending on the experience. As a general rule, participants should expect to pay registration or application fees as well as costs for local transportation and, in the case of youth exchanges, hosting activities. Please check with the exchange or forum delivery organization for further details.
To help offset the costs of an exchange or forum, your teen may be required to participate in fundraising activities. For more information, follow the Fundraising link on our links page.
What do we need to do to prepare?
If your teen’s application to one of Exchanges Canada’s delivery organizations is accepted, he or she will receive detailed information about how to prepare.
Most often, participants stay in the family homes of their exchange partners, but accommodations can vary.
If your son or daughter is participating in a forum, he or she might stay in a hotel or a dormitory. Please contact the exchange or forum delivery organization directly to confirm accommodations.
How will my child’s safety be ensured?
Safety is of utmost importance to Exchanges Canada. All delivery organizations are required to adhere to stringent safety and security guidelines, including regulations about the screening of host families and the duties of supervisors and organizers.
For more information on safety and security measures, please contact the exchange or forum delivery organization directly.
How are host families selected?
Host families are thoroughly screened. Exchanges Canada’s delivery organizations check the references of all potential host families and may visit homes to ensure a safe environment for all participants.
How can we host an exchange participant?
You can only be a host family if your teen is involved in an exchange. You will then have the opportunity to host a youth of similar age from another community in Canada.
Depending on the location of the community your teen visits, he or she will travel by train, bus or plane.
Will I need to host a student?
If your teen participates in an exchange, you will usually be asked to host his or her exchange partner in your home.
My child wants to go abroad. How can Exchanges Canada help?
While Exchanges Canada does not offer international exchange or travel-abroad programs, we have put together a list of other opportunities that could be of interest to you and your child. As these opportunities are not offered by Exchanges Canada, you must contact the delivery organizations directly for more information.
How old does my child have to be to participate?
Usually, your child must be at least 12 years old to participate in an exchange and 14 years of age to participate in a forum. Please contact your delivery organization for specific eligibility criteria.
Do you provide funding to be a host family?
No. Exchanges Canada usually only provides funding to offset transportation costs for the participants and their chaperones.
Can we host a foreign student?
Our exchanges and forums are designed specifically for Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. However, we have put together a list of other opportunities that could be of interest to you. As these opportunities are not offered by Exchanges Canada, you must contact the organizations directly for more information.
My child has special needs. Can he or she still participate?
Yes. Please check with the delivery organization for the exchange or forum to inquire about assistance available.
Where can my child go on an exchange or forum?
Your teen may travel to almost anywhere in Canada. He or she can discover a rural area or a city centre, a French- or English-speaking community, a province on the other side of the country or an equally exciting place closer to home.
What kinds of activities do exchanges and forums offer to participants?
Your teen may visit the cultural attractions of his or her host community, participate in engaging discussions about Canada’s many cultures, attend language or other educational classes, and do much, much more! For more specific information, contact the delivery organization that offers the exchange or forum that interests you.
What are the benefits for my teen?
Your son or daughter will return home with greater self-confidence, a renewed passion for learning and a deeper respect for the cultures and ideas of others, not to mention lifelong friendships.
A forum is a workshop or conference that draws youth from across Canada together to talk about issues that shape our country, participate in cultural activities and form lifelong friendships.
My teen is not Canadian. Can he or she still participate?
Our exchanges and forums are designed specifically for Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. However, we have put together a list of other opportunities that could be of interest to you. As these opportunities are not offered by Exchanges Canada, you must contact the organizations directly for more information.
How long does an exchange last? What about a forum?
The time your teen spends in another community is typically one week for a group exchange, but there will be activities before and after the visit. There is also the opportunity for a longer exchange where individuals will spend six weeks working in their second official language.
Forums vary in length, but are typically about five days.
Can more than one of my children participate in the same forum or exchange?
Sometimes. They will have to be part of the same class or community group to participate in the same exchange. If they would rather participate in a forum, they will each have to apply to the specific delivery organization responsible for that opportunity.
Can my child participate with a friend?
Yes. In fact, we encourage youth to talk to their teachers or youth group leaders about organizing an experience for the whole class or club. Your teen and his or her friend may also attend the same forum and meet other friends along the way.
Who do I contact for more information?
Contact the exchange or forum delivery organization directly. Or you can call 1-800-O-CANADA or email us at echanges-exchanges@pch.gc.ca.
How is the partner group selected?
Groups are matched based on the ages and interests of their members. Consideration is also given to the regional, linguistic and cultural diversity of the groups.
How are exchange partners matched?
Participants are matched with their partner based on their age and interests.
Where can I find promotional material about exchanges and forums?
Check out our Reference Centre for promotional materials. You can also contact the organization that coordinates your exchange or forum. And, don’t forget to read our past participants’ stories.
