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Global
Explore the Canadian beauty
It is easy to understand why Canada is attracting a growing number of high school students – the country has something for everyone! You might think of Canada and imagine snowy mountains and winter activities and yes, Canada is a winter paradise and the place to go if you love snow. However, the country is so much more than just snow and mountains. The magnificent nature offers a wide range of fun outdoor activities all year round. You will find beautiful coastlines with sandy beaches, magnificent islands, big open plains, and metropolitan cities with beautiful architecture and amazing food.
Canada is known worldwide for its schools, so no matter where in Canada you find yourself, you will be in a great school. With STS High School Select in Canada, you customise your exchange year (or semester) abroad to have it just the way you want it. If you need a particular subject, want to make sure you can join a top-level hockey academy, or just want to live in a specific location in Canada, the STS High School Select programme is the perfect for you.
Canada is a bilingual country, meaning it has two official languages. English is the most common, but for a large part of the population French is the native language. As an exchange student in Canada, you may get the opportunity to learn both. With STS High School Select you can choose a full English, French or bilingual experience. Imagine coming back home being fluent in two new languages!
Area: Nearly 10 million km2
Population: 35 million
Capital: Ottawa
Largest city: Toronto
Official language: English and French
Currency: Canadian Dollar
Country Code: +1
Canadian families are open to cultural difference and love to make you feel right at home. Families across the country differs and can be English, French or bilingual households depending on your school choice.
Responsibility, safety and quality that’s been our motto since 1958. We have the passion and the experience that will make your adventure as an exchange student a memorable success.
Canada provides you with yellow school buses, school lockers, homecoming and prom, as well as a wide array of subjects. You can choose to spend your time like so many Canadians do – learning to perfect the art of hockey. STS helps you find the right school for you based on your particular wishes, whether this is digital media, adventure tourism, or advanced calculus. Yes, those are the kind of classes that can be on your schedule if you go to high school in Canada. The Canadian school system is recognized worldwide for its high quality. You can expect to develop a close relationship with your teachers both in the classroom and when you find yourself on the stand cheering for the school's team!
The Canadian school has 12 grades, with high school beginning year 9. Most exchange students are placed in year 10, 11 or 12. Your placement will depend on your age, previous grades and local school rules. The school year starts in September and ends in July, with a Christmas break in December and spring break in March. In addition to these, you will have several long weekends off, perfect for exploring your new home.
Do you want to speak English or French during your exchange year? That’s up to you. We offer schools in both English and French-speaking areas. The language of your area is often a compulsory subject in school, but apart from that, you will have the possibility to choose what you want to study. From the comfort of your home, you can choose a school that is the right fit for you! STS is right there with you to help identify which schools can offer what you want. Upon arrival in Canada, you will meet with a counsellor who will help you prepare the perfect schedule.
It is wise of you to choose your school considering its location and – maybe even more important – how well the range of subjects and sports activities match your preferences! Our carefully selected schools are sure to provide you with just what you want!
In the US it is a running joke that Canadians are so nice, that if you bump into a Canadian, they will apologise to you for being in your way. Our host families will be open and welcoming and do everything they can to make you feel at home. They all go through the same quality screening and motivation check. The language spoken in your host family will depend on your choice of school. Some families speak English, some speak French, and some are bilingual.
If your schedules are compatible, you may go with your host parents to school. Otherwise, you will probably go by school bus. If you and your host family get up at the same time in the morning, you will have breakfast together. In the evening you will meet for dinner and do the usual chores. If your family is the sporty kind – not uncommon at all in Canada – you might exercise and watch games together. Other typical family activities are weekend outings and excursions, spending quality time together, or showing you around the local community.
Canadians are rightly proud of their big nation’s mountains, forests, lakes and rivers. And they truly know how to enjoy nature all year round. The country is known for ice hockey and skiing. Other popular winter sports include curling, dog sledging, ice fishing, luge, skating, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling ... you name it. Bring your best winter clothes and join the fun!
Canada is not just a winter sports paradise, though. The country boasts rivers, lakes, rocky coastlines, and beautiful beaches. Spring and summer time is perfect for camping, hiking, canoeing or kayaking in cool mountain rivers. Other popular sports are soccer, baseball, American football, golf and tennis. Needless to say, Canada is the place to go if you are sporty and love to live outside.
Canada is, however, more than just sports. The country has several major cities that are just as varied as the nature of the country. Montréal boasts beautiful architecture that will transport you back to France. Couple this with some proper French food and you might find yourself thinking your exchange program is taking place in Paris. Toronto is known for its cool neighbourhoods, the beautiful Lake Ontario, and amazing food. The skyline reminds you of New York, but the friendly people and slightly slower pace make it clear you are in Canada. And let us not forget Vancouver – set between the mountains and the ocean, is a city full of food, fashion, sports, and major movie stars! Many Hollywood films are actually filmed in Vancouver, and you may think you have seen downtown Manhattan or Los Angeles, when in fact it is Vancouver in disguise!
See Manhattan in full Christmas decoration or Niagara falls full of splashing spring water – or both. We offer a four-day winter trip to New York City, usually around the first weekend of December. There will be time for both sightseeing and Christmas shopping before heading back to Canada. End of May, we arrange a five-day trip to Toronto where you will see the views from CN Tower, visit The Hockey Hall of Fame and be amazed by the mighty Niagara falls by the US border.
We highly recommend you to end your exchange with our road trip Canada Adventure. The trip takes you from Vancouver to Calgary with stops along the way, allowing you the chance to experience the breathtaking nature of the country, the cool city vibes of Vancouver, and everything in between. An exchange year is not only about school; it is about having fun too!
Enjoy a high school year in Canada, with its great nature and vibrant cities. Here are some quick facts about school life here, and what is included your High School Select package.
Interested in choosing where you want to study and where you want to live? STS can help you choose the school of your liking that supports your favorite sport, academic etc.
The easiest way to apply is to visit the page of your favorite destination and click the "Apply now" button. Your application is not binding, and you make your final decision once you have been accepted.
Yes, no matter where you go, we have a local representative on your location. He or she selects our host families, has contact with schools and will be your supporter and advisor during your exchange.
Yes, we have several scholarships to apply for each year. We are also happy to guide you in the application for other grants.
You can choose if you want to attend a public or a private school with High School Select.
Yes, with High School Select you have an increased possibility to choose schools depending on their specific sport profiles.