Students from all over the world love Island Oak. International learners may come as full-time students, short-term students (3 months to 1 year), or exchange students. The Island Oak community's warm, welcoming family atmosphere, tends to have international students quickly feeling at home. Click here for some testimonials from previous students.

 

Short-Term Student:

 

A number of international students decide to attend our school on a short term basis (for 3 months to 1 year) for a variety of reasons--learn about another culture, love of travel, improve their English, prepare for university, and more.

 

International students typically live with an Island Oak homestay family and experience 

Canadian culture. Students can start at any point during the school year and for any duration over 3 months.  School fees are prorated, which means you only pay for the months you attend. International students who would like to attend for a short term must fill out the Admissions Application to the right of this webpage.

​

Here is a sample monthly budget for a short term, homestay student:

• Tuition and Supplies $1,540

• Home-stay Fee $900

• Pocket Money $100

   =   Total $2,540 (Canadian dollars per month)

Homestay:

All students from out of town or out of country can apply to live with an Island Oak homestay family. Whether you are a full time student or a short term student, homestays can be set for any length (but must be a minimum of 3 months). Homestay feess are approximately $900 CDN per month.

                                             2016-2017 HOMESTAY APPLICATION FORM

                          

Exchanges:

 

With a student to student exchange, a student from Island Oak becomes your exchange partner and you spend time in each other's homes and schools. Since there are only a few Island Oak students each year who look to go on an exchange, exchanges are very limited. 

A number of international students who initially requested an exchange decide to attend Island Oak as a short-term student.

​

If you are interested in an exchange with an Island Oak student, it is best to start early, even a year or more in advance.

 

Steps to become an Exchange Student:

1. Send a short biography and some photos to enrollment@islandoak.org in order to request an exchange. Your biography will be posted on our notice board for students to read. If a student and family is interested, you will be contacted. There are usually only 2-3 exchanges available each year.

2. If an Island Oak student selects you and their family agrees, only them will you be notified by email. You will them need to complete a CDN/INTL Application form and Homestay Application Form and send it enrollment@islandoak.org along with the required documents.  

3. An advisor will thoroughly review the application. Once accepted, we will help you with the documents you need to study in Canada. 

4. In most cases, exchange agreements require no extra tuition or boarding fees. Just pay your tuition at your local school as you normally would. 

 

Suggestions on what to include on your one-page biography:

• your name, age and grade

• preferred dates of the exchange

• your email address

• photos of you, your family, your town, your house

• information about your family

• information about the city or town you live in and attractions in the surrounding area

• information about your school

• please send the biography in either a Word or PDF format

 

Language Requirements for International Students:

​

The substance of the courses and the style in which they are taught requires proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and oral comprehension of English.  

• Students who have completed a portion of their schooling in English or have a good understanding of English will do well at Island Oak. On the school transcript submitted for admissions, students should highlight which coursework was taught in English. A letter from their school teacher attesting to their English comprehension would also be beneficial.

• Applicants whose native language is not English and have a limited knowledge of the language will be required to have an English Tutor (at an additional expense to the student). Island Oak is a supportive place to learn English, as students will be fully immersed in the classroom. If a student comes to Island Oak with a limited knowledge of English, it may take them a longer time to fulfill the graduation requirements. 

​

Student Visas and Permits:

 

Guidelines for international students in Canada vary depending on the length of the study program. Students staying less than 6 months usually do not require a Study Permit from Canada. Click here for more information about Study Permits on the Canadian Immigration website.

 

For more information, please consult the appropriate government department in your country of origin for country-specific requirements.