Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District

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Location:
• Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
• Beautiful seaside city on Vancouver Island
• Population 85,000
• Safe and clean community
• Mildest climate in Canada
• Easy access to Vancouver and Victoria
• Closest airport is Nanaimo Airport

Program:
• High school program, Grades 8 to 12. ages 13-19
• 7 modern high schools; total population of 7,000 Canadian students
• Every school has an International Student Advisor to tend academic issues of International Students
• ESL offered as required; no minimum English requirements
• Integration with Canadian students in academic and elective subjects
• Small number of international students, mostly from Germany and Brazil
• 2 semesters per year: September to January; February to June
• Graduates are guaranteed admission to Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo or are qualified to apply at other universities in Canada and the USA
• Students are carefully matched to excellent homestay families, and their happiness and well-being is carefully monitored. The Homestay Coordinator meets each week with the students to discuss any homestay issues.

Program Details

Program Established: 1998

Programs Offered: Full Year, 1 semester

Educational Programs offered in: English, French

Total number of schools: 39

High schools for international students: 7

Total Students: 14,500

Total International Students: 209

International Students Accepted for Grades: Our high school program is grades 8-12, public school system. Our elementary program is from grade 1-7 but a parent must accompany the child.

Nearest Airport Ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver (Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay and Duke Point to Tsawassen)

Location

Nanaimo has a world of adventures awaiting newcomers. There are musical and live theatre shows, symphonies, restaurants, sporting events, as well as many activities around holidays, such as Halloween, Christmas, Canada Day. Any time of year, Nanaimo is a wonderfully exciting place to be. Whether you like hiking, diving, kayaking, sailing, swimming, soccer, hockey, golfing, camping or wide life watching, Nanaimo has it all.

Nanaimo is located in the center of Vancouver Island and is the therefore known as the gateway of Vancouver Island. Nanaimo has easy access to Vancouver, Victoria, Pacific Rim National Park, the West coast trail, as well as many other attractions and cities up and down the island.

Accommodation

The Homestay Program is a service offered to foreign students through the International Student Education Department of School District #68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith). In the Homestay Program, Nanaimo and Ladysmith families provide caring homes, including room and board, and emotional and academic support for off-shore students. The homestay family takes the place of the student’s family for a time. It also plays an important role in the improvement of the student’s English and understanding of Canadian culture.

Activities

ACTIVITIES CALENDAR-- SECONDARY STUDENTS
SEPTEMBER 2010 – JUNE 2011*

We would like to invite our International Students to enjoy the following activities with us this year:

September 16 Welcome Event—A great start to the school year, and the opportunity to meet the ISE students from other schools.

September 29th&30th Whale Watching– Take a bus, then hop on a boat! Enjoy supernatural British Columbia and see West Coast marine wildlife at its best! Two dates will be available to choose from.

October 13 or 14 Old English Victoria—Enjoy highlights of Victoria’s inner harbour with a trip to the IMAX Theatre and an opportunity to sample Victoria’s attractions.

October 21-24 Rocky Mountain Tour

November 17 Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park

December 4 Seattle – Shopping to Outlet Mall

January Cosmic Bowling – first semester wrap-up—This is our party to say farewell to the first semester.

February Learn to Skate and Play Ice Hockey —See what our National passion is all about.

March Seattle – Shopping to Outlet Mall

April Vancouver Day Trip – Semester 2 Wrap-up – Travel by BC Ferries to explore Stanley Park, recognized around the globe as one of the great parks of the world.

May Kayaking—An introduction to a sport you can continue to enjoy all spring!

May 26-29th Rocky Mountain Tour

June School Based Year-End Activities