Secondary school student exchange programs | Organizers

Secondary school student exchange programs offer a unique opportunity to experience a cultural and academic language immersion. Schools taking part in the programs also benefit from positive impacts, particularly by improving the students’ competencies in the target language as well as encouraging an openness to the world by hosting international students during 1½ to 3 months.

Participating students are greatly motivated to succeed at school. Moreover, over 95% of students do not experience any academic difficulties after the exchange.

Every year, our team’s expertise allows more than 250 Québec students to participate in an exchange in one of our seven destinations and improve one of the four target languages (English, Spanish, German and Italian).

Or team is in charge of the following elements:

• Promoting the programs (jointly with the participating schools)
• Pairing students and their international partners with a similar profile
• Logistics:
  • Airfare.
  • Pre-departure training for students and their families
  • Constant support for students abroad and in Québec
  • Follow-up and evaluation during the exchange
  • 24/7 emergency line
• Support and advice to schools to welcome international students

Exchanges to certain destinations are programs are funded by the ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec. Éducation internationale and the Échanges azimut department have been trusted with the administration of these programs since 2008.

The collaboration of schools is essential to allow students to participate in the exchange. Our team will assist you by walking you through the steps as thoroughly as possible and by making this experience as beneficial as possible for your school.

Participating schools will be responsible for delivering:

• Information meeting on the programs*
• Initial interview with students and their families in view of the acceptance of their application
• Predeparture preparation for students (school remedial planning, etc.)
• Welcome and evaluation of the exchange partner (1½ to 3 months)
• Support participating students in planning remedial classes upon returning to Québec

* at the school’s discretion

• Questionnaire d’entrevue
• Guide | Organisateurs des échanges azimut dans les écoles du Québec
• Guide | Élèves et familles participants
• Affiche promotionnelle des Échanges d’élèves | À imprimer
• Pamphlet promotionnel des Échanges d’élèves | À imprimer
• Tableau des tarifs et destinations | 2019-2020
• Présentation PowerPoint | Session d’information destinée aux élèves
• Grille d’évaluation pour la sélection des élèves
• Calendrier des tâches des organisateurs sur une année scolaire
• Lettre d’appui aux demandes d’admission au CÉGEP pour les élèves participants

Considering the current pandemic, exchanges of secondary students are suspended for the year 2021-2022. It's going to be the same for the information meeting for school's organizers. However, Échanges azimut are currently working to develop virtual exchanges for secondary students. Informations will be available in winter 2021.