Do you want to study in Canada? Then allow me to introduce you to the student exchange programs in Canada that you can enroll yourself in and achieve your dream.
Growing up in a Nigerian home, I’ve always watched high school Hollywood movies where some special students are admitted into the university as exchange students.
I have always wondered what it meant till I came across this article.
As the name implies, exchange means giving something in return for another thing. In layman’s language, you can call it to trade by barter.
But in the case of student exchange, it does not necessarily mean that there’s an exchange of students by the institutions involved.
To further clear your doubts, let us know what exchange student programs are.
What is a Student Exchange Program?
A student exchange program is a program where students from high school(secondary school)or College (University) study abroad at any of their institution’s partner institutions.
To further explain this, it is a situation where a student is transferred to another school abroad that is in collaboration with his or her current school.
In the case of this exchange, it does not necessarily mean that the students have to find a counterpart from the other institution with whom to exchange.
A student exchange program involves international travel but the students don’t need to study outside their home country.
This “exchange” could be short-term or long-term.
A short-term exchange or STEP often lasts from one week to three months. During this period, there is intensive exposure to the understanding of other cultures, communities, and languages.
On the other hand, a long-term exchange lasts six to ten months or up to one full year.
Students who intend to partake in this program must have a student visa. The visa depends on the host country one chooses, as they may require further details or documents
There are a lot of benefits of student exchange programs. Some of them include the following:
- You’ll experience a completely new way of life
- It will expand your employment opportunities
- You will get to experience different styles of education
- You’ll have the opportunity to learn a new language
- You’ll make new friends around the world
- It is a gateway to personal development
- It prepares you for the global economy
- It helps you form life-long bonds
Are There Student Exchange Programs in Canada?
Yes, there are numerous student exchange programs in Canada. The majority of them will be listed and talked about below.
How do I Become a Foreign Exchange Student in Canada?
The number of international students in Canada continues to grow every year.
Last year, Canada admitted more than 400,000 international students. The majority of those students came from France, Nigeria, China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Iran, India, and Vietnam.
You can boost your chances of success by working with us through our International Student Program.
Below are the basic steps to becoming a foreign exchange student in Canada.
- Choose a program
- Apply to the school
- Apply for a study permit
- If your study permit is approved, come to Canada
The following are documents necessary for the application process
Acceptance Letter:
The school sent a letter confirming your acceptance into your program of study.
Proof of Financial Support:
Proof that you have money to support yourself and any family members coming with you. You must show that you can cover your tuition fees as well as your cost of living (accommodation, food, etc.) for your first year in Canada.
Identity documents:
Birth certificate, marriage certificate, and passport.
In case you want to learn how to write your autobiography as an exchange student, do well to check out this article.
How Much is it to Be a Foreign Exchange Student in Canada?
Compared to other countries, the cost of studying in Canada is very affordable.
The cost of being a foreign exchange student in Canada depends on the school involved and its fee structure.
Many schools charge fees for international students, which can range from approximately CAD 8,000 to CAD 14,000 per year.
Student Exchange Programs in Canada
- Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program
- Sports Visitor Program
- Youth Ambassadors
- International Writing Program Fall Residency
- Fortune – U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
1. Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program
The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) Program is a unique Fulbright Scholar Program initiative that is specifically adopted by U.S. institutions of higher education to enhance internationalization efforts on their campuses.
Through this SIR program, the United States hosts a scholar outside the state for a semester or a full academic year to teach lectures, assist in curriculum development, guest lecture, develop study abroad/exchange partnerships and engage with the campus and the local community.
The institution benefits from the expertise provided, and the Scholar attains experience in the U.S. higher education arena.
The community, through the institution, provides the Visiting Scholar with opportunities to participate in speaking engagements, community meetings, and other grassroots activities.
2. Sports Visitor Program
The Sports Visitor Program is specifically for young non-elite athletes and coaches chosen by U.S. missions overseas to visit the United States for a fast-paced two-week exchange program.
This program allows the athletes to interact with Americans and experience American society, culture, and values firsthand.
A lot of activities like sessions on nutrition, strength,, and conditioning, gender equity in sport, Title IX, sport and disability, and team building are done during the program.
3. Youth Ambassadors
The Youth Ambassadors Program brings together high school students and adult mentors from countries across the Americas to promote mutual understanding, increase leadership skills, and prepare youth to make a difference in their communities.
Exchanges are mostly from Latin America and the Caribbean to the United States.
During the program, Participants are engaged in workshops, community service activities, team-building exercises, meetings with community leaders, and a host of other things.
When they return home, the students get to apply what they have learned to implement projects that serve the needs of their communities.
4. International Writing Program Fall Residency
The Fall Residency is an initiative of the International Writing Program (IWP) and is the oldest and largest multicultural writing residency in the world.
The Fall Residency brings excellent authors from every continent to the University of Iowa.
Their goal is to provide authors with the setting for cultural exchange and also with the time and space to write, read, translate, study, and become part of the vibrant literary and academic community at the University of Iowa.
The Fall Residency is a unique experience for rising stars and established writers who have achieved literary distinction in their own countries.
This is a great opportunity for them to achieve the same feat in another country.
In addition to the Fall Residency, IWP coordinates several massive open online courses (MOOCs) each year on topics related to creative writing and social issues which are free of charge and open to non-U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens.
The duration of the program is 10 weeks.
To be eligible, you have to be
- Be primarily a writer of fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, drama, or screenplays;
- Not be a resident of the United States;
- Be an established or emerging creative writer who has at least one published volume, or works that have appeared in significant publications over the last two years;
- Have some prior form of national or local recognition for the candidate’s literary achievements;
- Should be ready to provide a compelling sample in English;
- Be able to speak English;
- Be comfortable with cross-cultural dynamics and interested in close interaction with artists from diverse cultures.
5. Fortune – U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership
The Fortune – U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership connects talented, emerging women leaders from all over the world with members of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Leaders for a three-week-long program.
The program begins with an orientation in Washington, D.C., where mentees meet with senior women leaders in government, business, academia, civil society, and the media.
Participants are then paired with one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Leaders from companies like Goldman Sachs, Aetna, and Johnson&Johnson in cities across the United States.
At the end of the mentorship, emerging leaders reconvene in New York City to collectively reflect on their experience and discuss future leadership opportunities.
This program spans 3 weeks.
6. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to research and study in the United States for one year or longer at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions.
In order to participate in the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the applicant must have completed undergraduate education and hold a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
The duration of the program is 6 months to 1 year.
Conclusion
This is where we call it a wrap on this article. I hope that by now, you have gotten all the essential information you need on the student exchange programs in Canada. Have fun making a decision on which of the exchange programs you’ll go for. Thanks for reading through.