Our Programs
Elite Canadian Homestay offers a variety of year round programs to International Students who are interested in learning about Canadian life and culture while at the same time improve their English language skills. The Group Homestay program provides challenging classroom sessions and scheduled activities together with the host family experience. The Academic Year Program provides high school students the opportunity to stay with a Canadian Host Family while attending a Canadian High School. The Volunteer Program gives students an opportunity to volunteer up to twenty hours per week with a Canadian non-profit organization. The Individual Homestay Program offers independent students their choice of dates and homestay locations while attending a private ESL school. These programs have been developed through many years of experience.
Group Homestay Programs
Learn English, live with a Host Family and discover Canada at its bestGroups of 10 to 25 students, accompanied by a bi-lingual escort, live with Canadian Host Families from 2 to 4 weeks. Students ages 13 to 18 are under the supervision of an Elite Program Coordinator who arranges the host family accommodations and daily program. Students attend 12 hours per week of English conversation classes conducted by Elite Program Teachers, with carefully selected textbooks and curriculum. This program also includes a full schedule of sightseeing excursions and afternoon activities, with weekends and evenings spent with the Host Families.
Elite Group Homestay include:
- A personally selected host family
- Room and board provided by the host family (students purchase their own lunches on full day trips)
- Welcome and farewell parties
- Two cultural or recreational activities per week
- Transfers between the homestay community and the nearest major airport
- Accident and sickness insurance. ($1,000,000.00 CDN)
- Services of an Elite Program Coordinator
- One free seat for a bi-lingual adult escort to accompany the group
- Academic homestays include textbooks with 12 hours of English per week of English Language and Culture instruction by a trained certified Elite Program Teacher. Groups of 18 or more students have the services of two Program Teachers
Sample Group Homestay full day excursions
- Grouse Mountain including Gondola, Theatre in the Sky, Lumberman show, Grizzle Bear Exhibit, Wild Bird show and Tour of Stanley Park.
- Victoria City including Ferry from Tsawwsassen to Swartz Bay and return, tour of British Columbia Legislature Buildings and free time to shop.
- Whistler, including Gondola and sightseeing in Whistler Village.
- Vancouver Sightseeing, including Stanley Park with a stop at the Totem Poles for pictures, Vancouver Aquarium, Gas Town shopping.
- Lower Mainland Valley Tour, including Harrison Hot Springs, Bridal Falls and Hells Gate.
- Vancouver Museum and Grandville Island Tour
- Science World and Vancouver Sightseeing
Group Homestay Sample Week
| Sun | Arrival and transfer to homestay community. |
| Mon |
09:00-12:00 - Student Orientation Free Afternoon 18:00-21:00 - Welcome Party with Host Families |
| Tues |
09:00-12:00 - English Language & Culture class 12:00-13:00 - Sack Lunch 13:00-16:00 - Walking tour of homestay community |
| Wed | 09:00-17:00 - Full-day sightseeing excursion by charter bus. |
| Thurs |
09:00-12:00 - English Language & Culture class 12:00-13:00 - Sack Lunch 13:00-16:00 - Sports or cultural activity |
| Fri |
09:00-12:00 - English Language & Culture class 12:00-13:00 - Sack Lunch 13:00-16:00 - Free afternoon to spend time with host families or to explore local community |
| Sat & Sun | Free time with host families. |
Pre- and Post-Program Tours
Elite can add the final touch to your Group Homestay experience by customizing sightseeing trips to Popular Destinations before or after the group homestay experience. Sightseeing, admissions to major attractions, hotels, meals and transportation are included in our packages. Popular destinations include: Whistler, Banff, Harrison Hot Springs, Victoria, and Seattle.
Please contact Elite Canadian Homestay if you have any questions.
Download Group Homestay Student Application (36kb pdf)
Academic Year Programs
Elite Academic Year Program offers high school students the opportunity to spend a semester or school year studying at a public or private Canadian high school. Your personal Placement Coordinator will skillfully match you with a private or public high school within their community to enable you to complete a semester of full academic year of study. Elite provides first-class cultural, social and educational support during your stay in Canada and ensures you experience a safe and memorable time to take home many good memories.
Academic Year Program Includes
Elite offers two Academic programs: Academic Year (10 months beginning in September) and Academic Semester (5 months beginning in September or February) including:
- Placement with a carefully screened Host Family
- Room and Board provided by the Host Family
- Arrival Orientation
- Airport transfers between the homestay community and the nearest major airport
- Custodianship with your Canadian Host Family
- Accident & Sickness Insurance
- Enrollment in a Canadian public or private High School
- Academic and Social counseling
- Supervision and support from your personal Placement Coordinator
- Written quarterly progress reports to your natural parents
- Organized bi-monthly activities with other International students
Application Procedure
To enroll in the Elite Academic Year you need to meet the following criteria:
- 1.You must be between the ages of 13 and 18 when you arrive.
- 2.A functional or intermediate level of spoken English. You will need to provide a test score or documentation illustrating your English ability.
- 3.A strong academic record with a "C" average or better in your home country. Academic transcripts from 3 previous years of study.
- 4.Demonstrate the necessary maturity to complete a successful period of study at a Canadian School.
- 5.Complete a detailed student application.
- 6.Complete a medical examination.
Outcome
As an Elite Academic Year Student you will dramatically improve your language and academic skills which will give you a competitive advantage when enrolling in a university in your home country. You will also develop a life long understanding of Canadian culture.
Important Dates
| September 1 Start Date | February 1 Start Date | Required |
| April 1 | October 15 | Preliminary application with non refundable deposit. |
| May 1 | November 1 | Results of a personal interview conducted by an authorized official. |
| May 15 | November 15 | Complete Academic Year student application and all fees due |
Once your completed application and all program funds have been received, Elite will send students the following information
- Letter of Acceptance from High School
- School Information and Description
- Community Description
- Host Family Information
Please contact Elite Canadian Homestay if you have any questions.
RATES
For pricing options, please contact us for information
Canadian 2008 Group Homestay Program
Group Homestay programs include:
- Homestay with personally selected host family
- 21 meals per week (except during full-day excursions)
- Transfer to & from nearest major airport
- Local Placement Coordinator on call
- Accident and sickness insurance
- Visa support letter to obtain Visitor Visa
- 12 hrs/wk of English instruction (ESL Group only)
- Welcome and Farewell Party
- Two recreational half-day activities per week
- One full-day excursion per week
- One free seat for adult escort to supervise group
Customized Group Homestay Options - additional fees may apply
- Additional ESL instructions, up to 18 hours per week
- Extra half-day activities, up to 4 total per week
- Extra excursions to special sites of interest
- School interaction (September - May)
- Use of schools for ESL classrooms (summer only)
- University campus visits
- Interaction with Canadian youths - Intrax Mentoring System