Programme details
| Programme length | Start | End | Price | Age on departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFS year programme (academic year) | August 2011 | July 2012 | $14,500 | 16-17.6 |
In its vastness, Canada ranks as the world’s second largest country (after Russia). 90% of its citizens live within 100 miles of Canada’s southern border, which meets the United States. Canada, after all, stretches far into the Arctic, with winters everywhere that are long, dark and harsh – and they get worse the farther north you go. This is why 89% of Canada remains uninhabited, with more than half the land covered by forests. However, Canada is a vast and varied land, from the Rocky Mountains in the west, the prairies in central Canada, the rugged coasts, sandy beaches and fertile valleys of the eastern seaboard, with cosmopolitan cities.
Canadians have a standard of living comparable to that of the United States, and though Canada’s lifestyle at first glance seems similar to its neighbour’s, Canadian culture is less brash. The country offers a friendly but reserved mosaic of heritages that includes British stolidity, French vivacity, native Inuit customs and even Chinese traditions, especially in Vancouver, which has the largest Chinese population of any city outside Asia. Canadians patiently tolerate this lively social jumble, especially because all of its cultures share a passion for ice hockey.
Family life
Family life is important, but family structure is diverse and offers differing lifestyles and beliefs from one family to the next. It is not unusual for both parents to work. Mutual respect between children and adults is nurtured at an early age. Canadian houses tend to be small and tidy, and family members share the chores.
School life
Schools start at 8:30 or 9am and end at 3:30 or 4pm. Schools have required curriculum, but students can choose additional elective courses, such as music, visual arts or drama. You can participate in extracurricular activities offered by schools, usually sports, social clubs or musical bands.
AFS Canada does not accept graduates (i.e. students who have finished year 13) and pre-existing French skills are required. There are also limited placements for vegetarians.
Most AFS placements in Canada are in the French-speaking region.*
