AUSTRALIA + New Zealand:
HOME-TO-HOME
A unique 2 way exchange program between Canada and Australia or New Zealand where students in Canada and Australia/New Zealand are ‘matched’, spend 3 months with each others families and attend school. It amounts to twice the experience at a fraction of the cost of a classic 3 month exchange program!
Australia is available in:
CLASSIC | SUMMER | HOME-TO-HOME
New Zealand is available in:
CLASSIC | SUMMER | HOME-TO-HOME
HOW LONG CAN I STUDY ABROAD?
November–January
(Hosting)
February-April
(Visiting Australia / New Zealand)
Application due: July 5th
ACCOMMODATION STYLE: HOMESTAY
On this unique program students reside with their matched host family and exchange partner in Australia/New Zealand, and later welcome their exchange partner to their home in Canada to complete the 2-way exchange. It’s the home-to-home experience!
Host families provide a warm and welcoming environment, providing meals at the home as well as an opportunity to immerse yourself in everything the country and culture has to offer. Families come in all shapes and sizes and we match you based on common interests and personality, which means you could have a host brother or sister, have a small host family or a large host family! The great part of this program is that you and your family get to welcome your Australian exchange buddy to Canada and host your exchange partner!
ORIENTATION: SYDNEY
On the home-to-home program, students will receive a local orientation from their coordinator.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
Students must be able to communicate in English. If you are a native English speaker, you will have fun learning the lingo in Australia!
SCHOOL LIFE: LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL
Attend a local public school (private school option may be presented if available).
School Year: School starts in February and ends in mid-December
Common courses: Physical Education, Math, Science, Languages, History, Geography, Music, English, Computers
Average hours per week: 35 – 40 hours of class per week.
Common school holidays: Summer break in mid-December to February, 2-week break in April, 2 weeks in July, 2 weeks in late September and statutory holidays.
Fun fact: Some schools have really great uniforms!
The Benefits
You’ll establish close ties with the family of your Australian/New Zealand host brother or sister
Avoid interrupting your schooling when you start during the summer
You’ll attend a local school where you’ll have an opportunity to try new subjects and school system
Gain new skills and confidence. Pushing beyond your comfort zone is a great way to lift your horizons and gain experience. Give yourself a competitive edge for the future
Experience the new lingo of Australia/New Zealand – adopt an accent!
Extend your network of friends across the globe!
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if:
You are between 15-17 years old
Have maintained the equivalent or better than a C grade average in school
Your family meets all suitability requirements for the hosting part of the experience
Your family commits to hosting your exchange partner for the duration of their program
Are in good physical and mental health
Are mature and open-minded
Are flexible, adaptable, responsible and ready to learn
Please note this program is available at participating school boards only, a reciprocal exchange must be possible. Please inquire for a list of participating school boards
Program Details: How it Works
You Host
The first part of the Home to Home exchange starts when your family hosts your Australian/New Zealand exchange partner for 3 months from early November – late January. Your exchange partner will attend your school or a local school and become part of your family.
Host families welcome their exchange student into their family life – with all the rights, responsibilities and privileges of other family members. Hosting is on a voluntary, unpaid basis – since you stayed with your Australian/New Zealand family, your partner will stay with you! You have the fun task of showing your Australian or New Zealand buddy what Canada is all about!
You Go
The second part of the Home to Home exchange starts when you travel to Australia or New Zealand for 3 months in February to April. (Students may select the country of choice, pending a suitable and available match).
You will travel directly to your host community. You’ll live with the family of your paired exchange partner in Australia or New Zealand. You’ll attend their school or a local school and become part of their family. You will be expected to fit in with normal household routines including chores and family schedules.
Exchange Pairing & Confirmation of Acceptance
Matching or pairing of students is carried out by experienced staff taking into account age and gender, as well as academic, sporting, and cultural interests.
The aim is to obtain as close a match as possible from within the available student applications. We will provide you with confirmation of acceptance by mid-May. Please note there is no guarantee of acceptance because we are dependent on finding a suitable pairing from the applicants in Australia/New Zealand. If we are unable to match you with a suitable student you are refunded in full.
Australia at a Glance
Population
24 Million
Capital City
Canberra
Known For
Sydney Opera House, Kangaroos & Koalas, Great Barrier Reef, Surfing
Currency
Australian Dollar
Language
English
Say Hello
G'day mate!New Zealand at a Glance
Population
4.4 Million Capital City
Wellington Known For
Milford Sound, Lord of the Rings, Maori Aboriginal Culture, Kiwi birds, and more sheep than people! Currency
New Zealand Dollar Language
English and Maori Say Hello
Hello or Kia Ora!Program Fees 2019
$4,500
(+ hosting deposit)
What’s Included for the Student Exchange Program?
- Airport meet & greet and airport transfer at arrival and departure (flight is not included)
- Emergency medical insurance
- Application process, selection interview
- Host family screening and selection
- School registration in host country
- Pre-departure orientation and materials
- Arrival orientation in local community
- 24 hour emergency assistance
- Local support while on exchange & a dedicated host family coordinator while your exchange partner is in Canada
- A certificate of completion at the end of the program
Additional fees the student is responsible for include:
- Airfare
- Passport and Visa Fees (if required)
- School supplies, uniforms (if required), cafeteria lunch (if required) or extra-curricular activity fees
- Personal Spending money while abroad
- Transportation to and from school for some students, dependent on where the host family is located. Some students are required to take a bus or train, while others walk or bike to school. This is dependent on where the host family is located.
- Any cancellation, change or program addition fees as issued by YES Canada or the partner organisation.
Please Note:
Please note: An additional hosting deposit ($1800) is required until the hosting term has been completed. The hosting deposit will be returned at the conclusion of the program when the hosting term is completed in Canada.
*Please note that YES Canada reserves the right to modify and update program options, leading to changes in pricing. Please note that pricing may be subject to change. Please note which program term the posted rates apply to, if the term you are applying for is not posted please inquire. Once a preliminary application is received by YES Canada pricing will not change for the selected/corresponding program term (summer 2019). Should you apply for a program in 2020 or further into the future the rates will be determined at a later date and you must pay the corresponding future program price, early registration does not qualify you for the listed website prices for 2019.
Payment Schedule
- $500.00 application fee due with the submission of the full application. The application fee is only refunded in instances where the student is not accepted.
- Host Country Program Deposit due upon conditional acceptance. (Please note fees are specific to each exchange country).
- 35% of the remaining program fees are due upon receipt of the full acceptance letter.
- 40% of the remaining program fees are due 95 days prior to departure.
- 25% of the remaining program fees are due 35 days prior to departure.
Cancellation Policy
- The $500.00 application fee is non-refundable, and due upon submission of the application to YES Canada. (Students not accepted to the program will be refunded $425, as a $75 home to home application processing fee applies.) Students must ensure prior to application that they meet the minimum requirements for exchange.
- In the event of cancellation after conditional acceptance either all or a portion of the host country deposit is non-refundable (approximately $500-$1000). Please inquire for specific country details regarding non-refundable deposits (Dependent upon destination: France, Belgium, Australia and Spain have higher cancellation fees at this stage).
- In the event of cancellation after full acceptance but prior to confirmation of the paired exchange partner, 50% of the program fee is non-refundable.
- In the event of cancellation after confirmation of the host family placement/confirmation of a partner match, 75% of the program fee is non-refundable.
- In the event of cancellation after visa forms have been issued 75% of the program fee is non-refundable.
- In the event of cancellation less than 30 days prior to departure 75% of the program fee is non-refundable.
- In the event of cancellation after program commences 100% of the program fee is non-refundable, the hosting deposit included.
- In the event the program is cancelled by YES Canada due to program changes/unavailability a refund will be given. In the event the program is cancelled by YES Canada due to application misrepresentation prior to the commencement of the program a partial refund will be provided based on the stage of the application.
*Some countries vary from the standard policy. Please inquire.
*Extenuating circumstances will be considered. All cancellations must be received in writing.
