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September 2021 - Update

ISE Ontario has recommenced our reciprocal exchange programs. Assuming conditions allow, ISE will provide the opportunity to travel again in February 2022 with our Go First program and encourage you to apply if you are interested in participating in a 9-week ISE exchange. We will also be offering 3-Week Summer programs in 2022, along with Host First in the fall. Please note, TDSB and YRDSB are not eligible for school year exchanges at this time. Students from all Ontario schoolboards are eligible to partake in a summer exchange.

We are looking forward to providing all families with an exchange experience and hope to see participants again soon!

Mary Di Santo-Lawless, Executive Director, and The ISE Ontario Team

Are enthusiastic and eager to participate in new activities
Have a desire to learn and can benefit from enhanced language skills
Are not overly committed to time-consuming extracurricular activities, work, or social media
Have been away from friends and family before without great difficulties, such as attending summer camp
Demonstrate an interest in learning about the history and culture of their desired destination
Are outgoing, personable and responsible

The applicant’s parent(s)/ family must:

Have a home that: is clean and orderly; has adequate space for the visiting partner; is free of substance abuse, physical abuse, or any other form of abuse
Be warm, caring and open; can host a student in a supervised, safe and comfortable atmosphere; can provide for all meals and the cost of family activities for the student during the hosting period
Be willing and able to speak only English at home during the hosting period
Commit to the reciprocal nature of the exchange program (hosting a partner for the time designated is required)
Assume responsibility for ensuring their child has the travel documentation required for travel to/from Europe
Submit a clear Vulnerable Sector Check for each adult aged 18 and over living in the host home(s) (dated within one year of the start of the hosting period)
Maintain regular communication with the exchange partner’s parent(s)/family throughout the exchange period

Download Registration Form

Download Application Form

Download Family Guide

Download Volunteer Form

Travel dates are subject to change and will be confirmed close to departure.

Flight departure and arrival times are subject to change due to situations beyond our control.

International Flight
All Ontario students fly internationally from/to Toronto accompanied by ISE chaperones. Connecting flights within Europe are typically unaccompanied. Details of connecting travel within Europe are provided once they are confirmed, approximately two weeks prior to departure. The beginning and end destinations for European international travel must remain the same. Any personal travel will not be managed by ISE or the travel agency. A separate ticket will be required for liability reasons.

Domestic Flights
All exchanges are based into/out of Toronto Pearson Int’l Airport. ISE Ontario does not arrange for or cover the cost of domestic flights or shuttle services for students to/from Toronto. All families are responsible for getting their child to/from Toronto Pearson Airport at the time specified. The visiting students’ shuttles or domestic flights to/from Toronto Pearson Airport are arranged and covered by their exchange office, just as we arrange for and cover the Ontario students’ connecting travel within Europe.

Families who opt to book a flight or shuttle for their child to/from Toronto are responsible for ensuring the ISE office is aware (including sending the eticket) so that we will be able to greet/assist him or her with his/her connecting travel. Families who opt to book a flight or shuttle for their child are also solely responsible for any associated costs, including but not limited to, checked luggage (Air Canada and West Jet now charge for any checked luggage and we recommend you pay this in advance online), and any costs associated with a delayed or cancelled flight that may impact the student arriving in time for the next flight.

Luggage
Currently Air France allows for 1-piece of checked luggage (max. weight 50 lbs), 1-piece of hand baggage (must be the yellow ISE backpack for group identification purposes) and 1-accessory (max. combined weight 26 lbs). But, please note that airlines, including Air France, reserve the right to change their fees and allowances at any time. While we will do our best to inform families of any changes, ISE Ontario cannot be responsible for any additional costs that may arise. As such, we strongly advise you visit the Air France website for the most accurate, updated baggage related information including size and weight.

All participants who are Canadian citizens require a Canadian passport that is valid at least 3 months past their return date in order to travel to Europe. Participants who are not Canadian citizens are responsible for determining what documentation they will require (i.e. visa) in order to travel to Europe.

If documentation (e.g. passport, visa, resident card) is lost, stolen, incorrect or insufficient it is the parent(s) responsibility to cover any costs incurred (e.g. obtaining proper documents, new airline ticket, hotel nights).

Prior to Departure Day:
We strongly advise you weigh your luggage and visit the Air France website to ensure it complies with the most recent weight and dimension requirements. To avoid paying extra fees, please ensure that you check only one piece of luggage. If you intend to pay for a second piece, pay online in advance for a lower fee.

On Departure Day:
Please re-confirm the departure time with the airline on your travel date in case of any last minute changes. Please arrive at the International Departures area at least 3 hours prior to the flight time and check in with ISE staff.

On Arrival Day:
Please re-confirm the departure time with the airline on your travel date in case of any last minute changes. Please arrive at the International Arrivals area at the scheduled time of arrival.

Travel requirements and regulations can vary depending on the personnel you are dealing with. We can only offer you guidance and do recommend you visit the site and contact customs directly.

Recommendations:
Bring a passport,immunization proof, a copy of the return ticket and parental authority form. These are generally accepted if driving across the border BUT it is your responsibility to understand the requirements and any changes to the policy. The following website should be visited www.cbp.gov.

ESTA
Most European students travel with an ESTA. You may want to ask your partner family if they have applied for this. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/.

Visa Waiver Program
All eligible international travelers who wish to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for authorization.

Who You Are:

You are a citizen or eligible national of a Visa Waiver Program country.
You are currently not in possession of a visitor’s visa.
Your travel is for 90 days or less.
You plan to travel to the United States for business or pleasure.
You want to apply for a new authorization for one person or a group of applications for two or more persons.