Has anyone been to Canada on an exchange program through EF Student Exchange?

Question

How long did you go for?

Did you enjoy it?

Was it worth the money you paid?

How much did you end up paying? (total including any expenses in Canada)

What was your host family like?(were they nice?)

Would you do it all again?

Would you recommend it to others?

((Please tell me all the positives &/or negatives about it))

Answer 1

Overpriced I would say. I also heard negative feedback of EF as an company and they are more of an middleman. It is better to apply directly to the university or college, you will save money and have more fun!

Frederic

Answer 2

I haven't been but I was planning to go through the Work Holiday Program Canada which looks very good. You need to have $4000 AUD with you to show them when you arrive in Canada. You do need to pass a police check though and if you get accepted then you get a Letter of Introduction. They explain it all on their website www.whpcanada.org.au. As long as you can find accomodation and work I think it's a pretty good deal. You can go for up to 24 months.  

Answer 3

I take it your from Australia, I'm from the Southern U.S.  Except for Southern Ontario and Southern British Columbia, the winters here are brutal.  

There are nice things you won't see anywhere else, the fall colors are spectacular and seeing Niagara Falls is worth it.  The scenery is beautiful, but if Canadians want to go to a place they call "the bush" avoid, come down with measles that weekend.

The people are nice, they are a bit reserved, but if you make the first approach they become your best friends.

They say Canada and Japan are two of the most expensive to live in. I've lived in Japan, rent and food, that's it, but they are offset because other things are cheaper.  Canada is the most expensive country to live in, without a doubt.    What the studies don't take into account are the total clothing costs and the total transportation costs.  They just take into account that a coat costs x in Canada and y in the United States.

But you have to buy six different kinds of clothing and then go on from there to get variety, your clothing budget for the first year will be way too low, that's a guarantee.  Clothing eats up far more of your budget here than anywhere else in the world, again because you need so much more of it!  You will need to buy things that you didn't know existed.

Energy costs for heat during the winter are strospheric and do take a good part of your budget, but that probably won't affect you as you'll be living with a family.

Transportation costs are high. Taxis are three to four times more expensive than in the United States.  Not being able just to hop in a cab is a bit of a disappointment.  The city bus fares are a shock as well, they are triple what they are in the States -- at least.  Cars cost a lot more because of all the extra repairs and extra stuff you have to do for winter.

But take all the nice things and they are swept away by the winters.  Every Southerner I know has left or planning to leave, including me.  They are too long and too cold.  Winter is six month's long and Spring, Summer and Fall take up the other six months.  

However there is one month in the summer when you can't go outside camping.  During the first month of summer there is a swarm of mosquitos, black flies and deer flies in the countryside and sometimes in the city.  They do die down at the end of summer.

As for negative cultural things, there are some minor things.  The first is that there is a weird kind of group think here.  There is a set of "things" Canadians believe and no one questions them.  If you do question them you will get a heated reply.  But hey it's their country.

Also you can't tell them to "Go to h**l" politely, they are very literal.  I say "Bless your heart" all the time, which seems obvious when you think about it but they just don't get it. I haven't solved that one yet.

The other thing is the personal questions!  It's minor but really hard to get used to.  "Where do your ancestors come from."  They start with that question for some reason and from there just keep asking more and more personal questions.  

But they just don't know when they are being rude and it takes you time to realize that they don't realize they are being rude and you have to let it go.  But be prepared, the first time can take you by surprise.  They will ask personal questions that you wouldn't stand for if you were at home.  If you are prepared you won't make your first social blunder as I did and lost my temper.  In my defense, no one warned me until after it happened.

I've noticed Northerners from the States can adjust.  If you are used to a colder climate, I think you'll like it.  But if you're used to a gentler warmer climate, no matter all the positives, the winter is a complete deal breaker.  I hate to say it but for that reason alone, you may find it difficult to feel at home.