Questions + Answers
On this page we have gathered the most frequently asked questions. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us
You talk about offering total immersion. What do you mean by "total immersion"?
Offer your child the chance to live a unique experience by staying with a foreign family for several weeks. This total immersion in a foreign environment is ideal for quickly learning the language of the country. Your child will be in contact with you once a week to keep you informed of his/her stay. Our team will also be present to ensure their well-being and safety. We will provide a personalized follow-up to your child throughout his/her stay, while leaving a lot of autonomy to the host family.
Only have contact with my child once a week? Why limit parent/child contact?
Maintaining a certain level of distance between parents and children is essential to help children successfully integrate into their new lives. Constant parental involvement from a distance can make it more difficult, especially if they are unfamiliar with the new environment and the social codes that prevail there.
It is therefore important to trust the host family selected for your child and allow them to work effectively. By facilitating your child's integration and assisting the host family in their role, you will contribute to a successful experience for all involved.
How do you select the families?
We select the families with great care because not all exchanges are suitable for all families. To be a host family, you must have a genuine willingness not only to let your child go to another family, but also to welcome a foreign child into your own family. We have strict selection criteria in order to find families and children who are open to adventure, who have a heart and who are open to others and to foreigners. We are looking for "nice" and grateful children. If you are interested, please contact us.
Will my child be safe?
Your child's safety is our top priority. During the exchange, your child will be hosted with a family that shares the same concerns as you. We work closely with local coodinators in Mexico or Canada to ensure your child's safety. You will also have access to our contact information for any questions or concerns. We are a team of four - the two families and the two pen pals - to ensure a successful exchange. Our personal experience with exchanges allows us to understand the importance of your child's safety. We gather information from the school and reference persons to ensure your child's safety throughout the exchange.
How does it work with the school?
Youth exchanges abroad, which last 6 months (sometimes 3 months), are an exceptional opportunity for children to discover a new culture and learn a new language. During this time, your children will attend school in the host country, which will allow them to meet new friends and develop their adaptability and perseverance.
Upon returning to their home country, your child will have an enriching learning experience that will allow them to catch up on their schooling through strong learning reflexes. Indeed, even if he or she did not follow the school's curriculum abroad, your child will have acquired great flexibility in his or her learning.
Schools, especially French schools, are increasingly encouraging these experiences, which offer many benefits for children and allow them to become competent and open-minded citizens of the world. Do not hesitate to take this opportunity for your child!