Study in Canada
If you’re looking for an English-speaking program that’s close to home, Canada is the perfect option for you! Come explore Canada’s vast and beautiful land and see all that our neighbors to the north have to offer!
+ More About Canada
What better time than now to explore the “Great White North”, eh? With over 2,000,000 lakes and vast forests, Canada’s natural beauty offers outdoor adventures of a lifetime to those who visit.
Canada (the second largest country in the world) is divided into 10 provinces, with the most populous being Ontario. English and French are the most spoken languages of Canada, as their culture is heavily influenced by British, French, and Indigenous North American traditions. Multiculturalism and inclusivity are tenets of Canadian culture, and people of all backgrounds are valued and welcomed.
Canada holds itself to a high level of education with exceptional teachers who will challenge and encourage you academically. Outside of school, you and your host family might visit one of the many art museums or play one of the country’s national sports – ice hockey or lacrosse. Also popular are sports like golf, swimming, equestrian, and badminton. Canada is known for producing maple syrup, but your host family might also introduce you to delicious butter tarts or poutine.
Whether it’s exploring Niagara Falls or witnessing the snowy mountains and beautiful landscapes of Banff National Park, Canada will offer you memories of a lifetime!
+ Scholarships Available
YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, needs-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for Canada:
Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Study Fund
YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund
+ Programs & Tuition
Fall Year: $18,995
Fall Year French Immersion: $18,995
Fall Semester: $17,995
Fall Semester French Immersion: $17,995
Spring Semester: $17,995
Spring Semester French Immersion: $17,995
Applications for tuition based programs must be submitted by October 1 for winter/spring departure programs and March 15 for summer and fall. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a case by case basis depending upon availability.
+ Additional Information
Visa Information
Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment.
Additional Costs
Program tuition does not include visa fees or related costs, personal spending money or school-related costs such as books, school trips, and uniforms (if required).
Choose Your Program
+ Academic Year Programs
As a YFU student to Canada, you’ll live with a Canadian host family and attend a local high school. Students will be placed in English-speaking host families and schools unless they are applying to a French immersion program. Part of your experience will be:
School
Exchange students are typically placed in schools in grades 10 or 11 and usually study French, English, Science and Mathematics along with electives in Athletics, Arts, Business and Languages. The school year is comprised of two semesters of 4 classes each. As an exchange student, you’ll have some flexibility to choose the courses that you are interested in or need to take in order to graduate from your US high school.
Orientations
All students applying for the semester or year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July or early December (for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
Upon arrival in Canada, students will attend an orientation along with other YFU exchange students from around the world that have chosen to make Canada their home. Year students will have a mid-year orientation, and all students will have a re-entry orientation before they go home to reflect on their experiences. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Extracurriculars
YFU students are encouraged to get involved in their local communities by joining local clubs, playing on sports teams, or even volunteering! You’ll be able to participate in any extracurricular activities offered at your school, but (like in the US), these activities vary based on the school.
Special Program Offers
Year program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.
Dog Sledding Nature Trip: Students will have the opportunity to participate in a 4 day Wilderness Camping Adventure at a dog sled park. This tourism trip cost varies and includes all winter camping activities, meals, and lodging. Trip details are subject to change. For more information about the activities, visit chocpaw.com where you can meet the dogs and get to know your camping buddies!
French Immersion Program
Students on an immersive French language program live with a volunteer Canadian host family and attend a high school in French-speaking Canada. While students will attend all of their classes in French and live in a French-speaking area, there is a possibility that students will be placed in an English-speaking host family. Students on the French immersion program are offered the same orientations, excursions, and extracurriculars as those on a traditional academic programs. Students could be placed in a Bilingual school with courses in Quebecois French or Parisian French. Please note that Quebecois French is different than Parisian French. For this program, students should have at least some level of French language skills and a willingness to learn!
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Year | Early September | Early July | $TBD |
| Fall Year French | Early September | Early July | $TBD |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a carefully selected host family
- Enrollment in a local Canadian (or French-speaking) high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Canada Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive Insurance
Age Requirement
- 2022 Fall Departure: Students born December 31, 2004 – December 31, 2008.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement or who will graduate high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Language
French and English. Students enrolled in the French Immersion programs must have at least 2 years of previous French language study.
Host Family Placement
You’ll live with a Canadian host family and students will be placed in English-speaking host families. Students in the French Immersion program will be placed in the area of Quebec.
+ Semester Programs
As a YFU student to Canada, you’ll live with a Canadian host family and attend a local high school. Students will be placed in English-speaking host families and schools unless they are applying to a French immersion program. Part of your experience will be:
School
Exchange students are typically placed in schools in grades 10 or 11 and usually study French, English, Science and Mathematics along with electives in Athletics, Arts, Business and Languages. The school year is comprised of two semesters of 4 classes each. As an exchange student, you’ll have some flexibility to choose the courses that you are interested in or need to take in order to graduate from your US high school.
Orientations
All students applying for the semester or year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July or early December (for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students applying for a Fall program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
Upon arrival in Canada, students will attend an orientation along with other YFU exchange students from around the world that have chosen to make Canada their home. Year students will have a mid-year orientation, and all students will have a re-entry orientation before they go home to reflect on their experiences. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Extracurriculars
YFU students are encouraged to get involved in their local communities by joining local clubs, playing on sports teams, or even volunteering! You’ll be able to participate in any extracurricular activities offered at your school, but (like in the US), these activities vary based on the school.
Optional Excursions
Year program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.
Dog Sledding Nature Trip: Students will have the opportunity to participate in a 4 day Wilderness Camping Adventure at a dog sled park. This tourism trip cost varies and includes all winter camping activities, meals, and lodging. Trip details are subject to change. For more information about the activities, visit chocpaw.com where you can meet the dogs and get to know your camping buddies!
French Immersion Program
Students on an immersive French language program live with a volunteer Canadian host family and attend a high school in French-speaking Canada. While students will attend all of their classes in French and live in a French-speaking area, there is a possibility that students will be placed in an English-speaking host family. Students on the French immersion program are offered the same orientations, excursions, and extracurriculars as those on a traditional academic programs. Students could be placed in a Bilingual school with courses in Quebecois French or Parisian French. Please note that Quebecois French is different than Parisian French. For this program, students should have at least some level of French language skills and a willingness to learn!
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Early September | Early February | $TBD |
| Spring Semester | Late January | Late June | $14,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a carefully selected host family
- Enrollment in a local Canadian (or French-speaking) high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Canada Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive Insurance
Age Requirement
- 2022 Fall Departure: Students born December 31, 2004 – December 31, 2008.
- 2023 Spring Departure: Students born December 31, 2004 – December 31, 2008.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement or who will graduate high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Language
French and English. Students enrolled in the French Immersion programs must have at least 2 years of previous French language study.
Host Family Placement
You’ll live with a Canadian host family and students will be placed in English-speaking host families. Students in the French Immersion program will be placed in the area of Quebec.