Participants must be at least 16 years of age by July 5 and no more than 17 years of age by August 13.

Ideally, participants would fit the following profile:

• Enthusiastic about having a Canadian experience, understanding that this may involve being in a different cultural context than that which they are familiar
• Agree to live in a homestay context throughout the program duration
• Provide a homestay environment (most likely their own home) for their exchange student to live in during the program
• Be ready to work full time at an assigned work placement for 6 weeks
• Be respectful to their local coordinator, host / host family, employer, other exchange participants and their new community
• Willingness to participate in group activities agreed upon by their participant group and their local coordinator
• Interest in giving back to their new community through participation in a group community project that will be agreed upon by the participant group and their local coordinator
• Basic knowledge of their second official language
• Desire to practice their second official language at work and at home
• Desire to get the most out of this fantastic opportunity!

SELECTION PROCESS

In order to make this program an effective, fun and manageable learning opportunity for each participant, the number of participants per community is limited.

We encourage you to apply as early as possible as timing is a key consideration! Once you apply for the program, your application form will be automatically forwarded to the local coordinator in your community. The coordinator will contact you and arrange an interview with you and your host / host family. The interviews typically take place in April and May. Once interviewed and verification that you and your host / host family meet the program criteria, participants will then enter the eligible pool of candidates. Confirmation of student selection happens as early as late April and, at the very latest, by the beginning of June.

Please have these documents available for us at the time of your interview:

• One or two letters of recommendation from a teacher / principal at your school, employer /previous employer, coach, religious leader, community leader.
• Your birth certificate or government ID showing proof of age.

At the interview you will also be asked to sign the application form you filled out on-line.

BEFORE THE EXCHANGE

You will need a social insurance number in order to work this summer. If you don't already have one, please ensure that you obtain one before departure.

For information on obtaining a social insurance number, go to:

http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/sxn-gxr.shtml

ONLINE APPLICATIONS