Exchanges Canada
www.exchanges.gc.ca
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FAQ for Youth
- What’s a forum?
- How can I participate in an exchange or a forum?
- What kinds of activities will I do on an exchange?
- What types of exchanges are available?
- How long does an exchange last? What about a forum?
- How much will it cost?
- How old do I have to be to participate?
- If I have special needs, can I still participate in an exchange or a forum?
- Can I participate more than once?
- Can I participate in an exchange with a friend?
- Can I participate in an exchange alone?
- How are exchange groups matched?
- How is my exchange partner selected?
- Where will I stay if I participate in an exchange? What if I participate in a forum?
- Does my family have to host another student if I participate in an exchange?
- Where can I go on an exchange or a forum?
- If I want to go to another province or territory to learn another language, how can Exchanges Canada help?
- I’m Canadian and would like to travel abroad. Can you help?
- I’m not Canadian. Can I participate in your program?
- I’m not Canadian, but would like to find an internship in Canada. Can you help?
- Can you help me find an internship in Canada or abroad?
- Where can I find promotional material about exchanges and forums?
- Who do I contact if I still have questions?
A forum is a workshop or conference that draws youth from across Canada together to participate in cultural activities, talk about issues that shape our country and form lifelong friendships.
How can I participate in an exchange or a forum?
Learn as much as you can about how youth exchanges and forums work and if you are eligible. Once you’ve found an opportunity that interests you, you will need to contact the delivery organization directly.
What kinds of activities will I do on an exchange?
You may visit the cultural attractions of your host community, experience local foods, participate in language or other educational classes and much more! For more specific information, contact the delivery organization that offers the exchange that interests you.
What types of exchanges are available?
There are two types of reciprocal exchanges.
The first type of exchange gives your class or youth group the opportunity to exchange with another class or youth group for about a week. These exchanges centre around a theme such as music or sports, or focus on improving your comfort with Canada’s two official languages. During these exchanges, you are matched with an exchange partner in the other group and stay in his or her home while you are in the other community. In turn, when the other group visits your community, you will be asked to host your exchange partner in your home.
The second type of exchange gives individual youth the opportunity to spend six weeks in another community in Canada and work in their second official language. During this type of exchange, you and your exchange partner will swap homes for the length of the exchange. That is, you will stay in your exchange partner’s home while you are away and your family will be asked to host your partner while he or she is working in your community.
How long does an exchange last? What about a forum?
The time you spend in another community is typically one week for a group exchange, but there will be activities before and after your visit. There is also the opportunity for a six-week individual exchange while working in your second official language.
Forums vary in length, but are typically about five days.
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.
How old do I have to be to participate?
If you’ve celebrated your 12th birthday, it’s likely that we have an opportunity for you! Some opportunities, however, are geared specifically to older teens. Please check with the delivery organization for exchanges and forums to confirm your eligibility.
If I have special needs, can I still participate in an exchange or a forum?
Absolutely! Please check with the delivery organization for the exchange or forum to inquire about assistance available.
Can I participate more than once?
Several delivery organizations allow you to participate in more than one exchange or forum. Contact the delivery organization that offers the experience that most interests you to confirm your eligibility.
Can I participate in an exchange with a friend?
Yes. Talk to your teacher about getting your whole class involved or speak to your community group leader about coordinating an exchange. If you prefer a forum, you and your friend will both have to apply directly to the delivery organization responsible.
Can I participate in an exchange alone?
In some cases, you can apply as an individual and be grouped with other participants who register alone. Contact the delivery organization responsible for your preferred exchange to find out if this option is available to you.
How are exchange groups matched?
Groups are matched based on their ages and interests. Consideration is also given to the regional, linguistic and cultural diversity of the groups.
How is my exchange partner selected?
You are matched with your partner based on your age and your interests.
Where will I stay if I participate in an exchange? What if I participate in a forum?
Most often, participants stay in the family homes of their exchange partners, but accommodations can vary.
If you’re participating in a forum, you might stay in a hotel or a dormitory. Please contact the exchange or forum delivery organization directly to confirm accommodations.
Does my family have to host another student if I participate in an exchange?
Typically, yes. However, alternate accommodations may be made for participants with special needs.
Where can I go on an exchange or a forum?
Almost anywhere in Canada - You 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.
If I want to go to another province or territory to learn another language, how can Exchanges Canada help?
Exchanges Canada supports several language-based exchanges. Find an opportunity that interests you.
I’m Canadian and would like to travel abroad. Can you help?
While we do not offer international exchange or travel-abroad programs, we have put together a list of other opportunities that could be of interest to you. As these are not offered by Exchanges Canada, you must contact the organizations directly for more information.
I’m not Canadian. Can I participate in your program?
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.
As a non-Canadian, for information on visiting, working or studying in Canada, you may also wish to visit the Government of Canada’s main portal at http://www.canada.gc.ca.
I’m not Canadian, but would like to find an internship in Canada. Can you help?
While we do not offer any foreign internship programs, we have put together a list of other opportunities that could be of interest to you. As these are not offered by Exchanges Canada, you must contact the organizations directly for more information.
As a non-Canadian, for information on visiting, working or studying in Canada, you may also wish to visit the Government of Canada’s main portal at http://www.canada.gc.ca.
Can you help me find an internship in Canada or abroad?
While we do not offer any internship programs, we have put together a list of other opportunities that could be of interest to you. As these are not offered by Exchanges Canada, you must contact the delivery directly for more information.
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.
Who do I contact if I still have questions?
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.
