FRANCE: HOME-TO-HOME

A unique 2 way exchange program between Canada and France where students in Canada and France 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!

France is available in:

CLASSIC | GROUP | SUMMER | POST-SECONDARY | BOARDING | HOME-TO-HOME

HOW LONG CAN I STUDY ABROAD?

August–November

(Hosting)

February–April

(Exchange in France)

Program Unavailable for 2022/23 School Year

ACCOMMODATION STYLE: HOMESTAY

On this unique program students reside with their matched host family and exchange partner in France, but first meet & 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 in the home as well as an opportunity to immerse yourself in everything the country and culture has to offer. Just like families in Canada, host families abroad represent many different compositions, nationalities and live in a variety of different areas from small towns or villages to larger cities. Families come in all shapes and sizes but one thing they all have in common is that they are motivated to be part of the experience and look forward to welcoming you into their home! The great part of this program is that you and your family get to welcome your French exchange buddy to Canada and host your exchange partner!

ORIENTATION: PARIS

On the home-to-home program, students kick start their 2-way exchange experience with a half day orientation in Paris. Arrive in Paris at the start of your exchange, meet other exchange students, get a crash course in the culture and prep for your exchange term so that you can start your exchange off right before heading to your local community and before being reunited with your exchange partner and meeting your host family!

LANGUAGE: FRENCH

Two years of French language study is required. Students are encouraged to continued to study and learn the language prior to their exchange.

SCHOOL LIFE: LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

Attend a local public school (private school option may be presented if available).

Common courses: French, Math, Biology, Geography, Physics, History, Phys Ed, Foreign Language (English, German, Spanish or Italian) and optional classes include Economics or a second foreign language.
Average hours per week: 25 hours of class per week.
Fun fact: Most schools have Wednesday afternoons off!

The Benefits

You’ll establish close ties with the family of your French host brother or sister

You’ll attend a local school where you’ll have an opportunity to try new subjects and school system

Experience your local area in Canada as a tourist with your exchange buddy

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

Learn or improve upon your French language skills – immersion is the best way to do this!

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 French exchange partner for 3 months from mid-August to early-November. 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 will stay with your French exchange partner’s family, your partner will stay with you! You have the fun task of showing your French buddy what Canada is all about!

You Go

The second part of the Home to Home exchange starts when you travel to France for 3 months in early February to late April.

Your program will begin in Paris with a half-day arrival orientation. You’ll live with the family of your paired exchange partner in France. 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.

Matching & 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 late Spring. Please note there is no guarantee of acceptance because we are dependent on finding a suitable ‘pairing’ from the applicants in France. If we are unable to match you with a suitable student a refund of eligible fees will apply.

COMMON PLACEMENT LOCATIONS

We've placed students all over France and these are some of the more common placement areas.
Click on the buttons below to view location on map.

Rhône-Alpes

Britanny

Ile de France / Paris

France at a Glance

Population

66,627,602

Capital City

Paris

Known For

Eiffel Tower, Fashion, Baguettes & Fromage, Cafes

Currency

Euro

Language

French

Say Hello

Bonjour

Program Fees

(2021/22 School Year)

Program Unavailable 2021/22 School Year – Stay Tuned for 22/23!

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 Paris
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 (While the airfare is not included in our pricing, we can help you find the best deal and recommend travel sites)
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 ($1950) is required until the hosting term has been completed. The hosting deposit will be returned 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.

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.
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 specic 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 host family placement, 35% of the program fee is non-refundable.
In the event of cancellation after confirmation of the host family placement, 55% of the program fee is non-refundable.

In the event of cancellation after partner company visa documents have been issued 65% 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.
In the event the program is cancelled by YES Canada a refund will be given.
Please contact YES Canada for any COVID-19 specific policy details.

*Some countries vary from the standard policy. Please inquire.
*Extenuating circumstances will be considered. All cancellations must be received in writing.