Ontario students aged 13 to 17 years old. If you are enthusiastic, responsible, and interested in learning a new culture and language, you should participate in an exchange!

ISE offers exchanges to France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Ireland. Destinations vary depending on the type of ISE program: Go First, Host First or Summer Exchange.

ISE Ontario selects the Canadian students who will travel on exchange, and the Canadian families that will host European students in their homes. ISE reviews student applications and chooses students based on their academic standing, personality, interests, enthusiasm, and commitment to the program. We also select students based on their ability to get along with others, if they’ve planned activities to host their exchange partner, and if their family can provide accommodation for their European exchange partner. Students must have a positive recommendation from their teachers and principals to be selected by ISE. ISE selects host families based on their ability to provide a warm, friendly, and secure home environment for European exchange students. They must be open-minded, demonstrate strong interest and commitment in hosting, and have activities planned for the visiting student. They must be willing and able to speak only English during the entire hosting period. Ideally, a host family will have a separate room for the visiting student, and a separate bed is always required when sharing is unavoidable. ISE Ontario’s European partner organizations select the European students that will travel to Canada and the European families that will host Canadian students.

Students must host an exchange partner to participate in the program.

Students must follow the timelines of ISE’s three exchange programs: Go First, Host First, and Summer Exchange.

Exchange experiences range from $3,999 to $4,599 based on the country and type of exchange. Students must pay a non-refundable registration fee of $599 that is built into the program cost. Based on the program, the remaining fees are due in one or two instalments. The program fees include an ISE administration fee, bag, luggage tags, and passport pouch. Group international air travel to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport is normally chaperoned. Travel insurance* is also part of the fee, which covers trip cancellation and interruption, along with emergency medical care. *Limitations and maximum amounts apply. Please inquire with the ISE office for details.

Students should plan on covering all expenses outside of the host family’s activities. These personal social activities could include meals, sporting events, public transportation, recreation activities, or excursions offered by the host school. Students should also be prepared to pay for their own toiletries, although this is usually supplied by the host family. The amount of spending money can be determined according to the student’s own spending habits at home.

Students do not receive a credit for the exchange experience. However, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has created three optional online high school credits for Canadian students participating in school year exchanges. The courses are Grade 10 Academic French, Grade 10 Digital Photography or Grade 11 World Religion. Granting a credit is not automatic. You must register with SMCDSB and actively participate in online classes. Students from any board participating in our school year exchanges can apply.

Students must be 13 to 17-years-old at the time of travel to participate in an exchange with ISE. Any other age? Please contact our office.

Our goal is to support students in the successful completion of their exchange. If a student must return home early, arrangements will be made through insurance or at the family's expense, depending on the reason. You must review the refund policy and insurance policy to understand your coverage.

While recommended, fluency is not required. One of the main objectives of the exchange is to practice a new language. Speaking a different language will improve your skills, help you integrate into the new culture, and allow you to build stronger relationships with your host family and friends. Try to avoid speaking English while abroad. There are many ways that you can prepare for your time abroad including taking classes, language apps, reading and listening to audio books, movies with subtitles etc.