As an exchange student in Canada, you will experience a friendly, welcoming environment with exciting differences from your home school. Canadian schools emphasize collaboration and critical thinking, and their multicultural communities create a rich, inclusive atmosphere. You’ll also have the chance to engage in popular Canadian pastimes such as skiing, snowboarding, and joining hockey teams—offering a unique cultural twist to your academic year.

During your academic year in Canada, you’ll experience meaningful Canadian holidays that highlight the country’s traditions. One of the first special occasions may be Canadian Thanksgiving, celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the U.S. Thanksgiving, Canada’s falls earlier and focuses on giving thanks for the harvest and blessings of the year, often marked by cozy family gatherings and festive meals.

Canadian cuisine offers new flavors to explore—from poutine and butter tarts to Quebec’s “tourtière”—set against a vibrant mix of French and English cultures, historic towns, and lively festivals.