School | Travel

Funded Programs Allow You To Explore Canada And Learn French


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Are you open to exploring Canada for a few weeks, meeting new friends, learning French and participating in unforgettable, Insta-worthy adventures like whale-watching, ziplining, canyoning and canoeing? Or are you looking for something longer-term where you can dive deep into another language and culture, earn an income and gain professional experience in a school environment? Then read on, the Explore or Odyssey Programs may be right for you!

EXPLORE PROGRAMS

Offered during the spring and summer for people with any skill level in French, the Explore Programs are intensive language immersion programs which allow you to discover another region of Canada while learning French. There is currently a three-week Explore (ages 13 to 15) program and an Explore program if you’re a student 16 years old or older.

With over 20 institutions across Canada that offer Explore, you’re sure to find one that’s right for you! Each location has a different set of activities and workshops, as well as a unique community to welcome you to town. Depending on your chosen destination you could attend a local music festival, join a whale-watching excursion, wander through a museum, canoe on a great lake, explore a national park or travel back in time by visiting a historic attraction, all while learning French, connecting with the local residents and learning more about our rich and diverse Canadian culture.

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myexplore.ca

FUNDING

The three-week Explore (ages 13 to 15) program provides $2,000 (taxable income).
The Explore program for 16+ year olds provides $2,800 (taxable income).

The funding covers the major expenses for participating in the program: tuition, instructional materials, workshops, food, accommodation, and most of your activities. It is transferred directly to the host institution and you will receive a tax receipt for it. Aside from personal spending money (for snacks or souvenirs, etc.) you will need to cover registration fees and travel expenses.
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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

In order to qualify for the Explore (ages 13 to 15) funding, you must:

  •  be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (those studying in Canada on a student visa are not eligible)
  • be 13, 14 or 15 years old by the time your Explore (ages 13 to 15) course begins
  • have been a full-time student for at least one term during the current school year

In order to qualify for the Explore (ages 16+) funding, you must:

  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (those studying in Canada on a student visa are not eligible)
  • be 16 years old by the time your Explore course begins
  • have been a full-time student for at least one term during the current school year.

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There are no grade or language-skill requirements for funding, however, you must have met all of the above criteria for the entire duration of the program. There are no exemptions from any of the eligibility criteria. Anyone who meets these criteria and submits their supporting documents before the deadline will be entered into a draw: placements are awarded using a randomized, computer-generated draw (based on provincial and territorial allocations and institutional quotas). The draw takes place in March. You will be notified by the end of March about whether you have received a place or not.

Early-bird application deadline is February 15, 2019.
For Explore 16+: Applications postmarked on or after February 16 will still be considered in the event that there are places available following the pan-Canadian draw.

For full details please visit www.myexplore.ca.

ODYSSEY PROGRAM

Odyssey is a paid, professional work experience that gives you the opportunity to travel to Quebec or New Brunswick, make a difference in the lives of students, and share your culture.

Under the supervision of a teacher, you will use games and other activities on a daily basis to motivate students to learn more about English as a second language. You will have the opportunity to share your culture, drawing from your personal experiences. You will also share the unique linguistic features of your home region through art, music, stories, local expressions, and humour, and make a difference in the lives of young people. By the end, you’ll have helped young students to broaden their knowledge of Canada and develop a passion for language learning, all while having fun!
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The Odyssey program not only benefits the students you work with, but it will help you grow and learn as well. You will live in a francophone community where English is likely to be the minority language, which will give you the chance to develop your own fluency in French as you interact with the community. Beyond learning the language, you’ll discover more about the many different cultures that make up French Canada. Through Odyssey’s training sessions and your relationship with your teachers, you’ll build and sharpen valuable skills that are transferable to your career or elsewhere in your life.

The Odyssey Language Assistant Program is a paid, professional work experience that involves travelling to Quebec or New Brunswick to work with students for nine months. You’ll earn over $20 an hour while gaining valuable work experience in a classroom setting!

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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

In order to qualify for the Odyssey program, you must:
– have solid English-language skills, both oral and written. They are a must-have skill set. English proficiency must be as strong as if it were your first language;
– be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada (those studying in Canada on a student visa are not eligible);
– have completed, by the start of your work term and within the last 10 years, at least one full year of post secondary studies, college, or university. If you are completing studies in Quebec, you must have completed two years of college-level studies or one year of university within the last 10 years. For studies done outside of Canada, you will also need to submit a formal assessment of your academic credentials.

myexplore.ca

There is no age limit for participation in Odyssey, but you do need to meet all eligibility requirements. There are no French-language-skill requirements to apply for the Odyssey program, but some basic oral and spoken skills in your second official language are always a great asset. A driver’s licence is not a requirement for selection. However, in some regions, having a licence is preferable.

Application deadline is February 28, 2019.
For full details please visit www.myodyssey.ca.

Published in partnership with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).

 



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