WINTER SCHOOL & SKI ⭐
Canadian High School Experience & Winter Adventures on Vancouver Island
Your Winter Break. In Canada. 
Go to a Canadian high school. Live with a Canadian host family. Speak English every day. Ski. Skate. Explore Canada.
Overview
Experience a real Canadian winter while becoming part of everyday high school life on beautiful Vancouver Island.
Our Winter School Exchange gives international students the opportunity to attend a Canadian public high school, live with a carefully selected Canadian host family and experience everyday life in Canada – all while improving their English naturally through complete language immersion.
This is much more than a traditional language course.
Students don't simply study English – they live in English.
They attend regular classes together with Canadian and international students, experience Canadian school culture, become part of their host family and discover British Columbia during one of the most exciting seasons of the year.
And winter on Vancouver Island is special.
The Pacific coast has one of Canada's mildest winter climates, while snow-covered mountains and real Canadian winter adventures are only a short journey away.
Ocean one day. Ski slopes the next.
Winter School is ideal for students who want to experience studying abroad but are not yet ready to spend a full semester or academic year in Canada.
During your Winter School experience you can:
✓ Attend a Canadian public high school
✓ Live with a carefully selected Canadian host family
✓ Practise English naturally every day
✓ Experience everyday Canadian student life
✓ Meet Canadian and international students
✓ Develop confidence and independence
✓ Discover British Columbia in winter
✓ Participate in winter and social activities
✓ Experience skiing, skating and Canadian outdoor life
✓ Find out whether a longer exchange in Canada could be right for you
Go to school in Canada. Live with a Canadian family. Experience a real Canadian winter.
Perfect for Polish Winter Holidays
Turn your school break into an international experience.
Where will I stay?
During your Winter School experience, you will live with a Canadian host family on Vancouver Island. Living with a host family is one of the most important parts of the program.
It allows students to experience Canadian culture from the inside, practise English naturally every day and become part of everyday family life rather than visiting Canada simply as a tourist.
Students receive local support throughout their stay as well as academic and homestay support when needed.
| Location | Vancouver Island, Nanaimo & Victoria |
| For Ages | 14 - 18 |
| Duration | 1 month (up to 6 weeks possible) |
| Start Date | 31st January - 28th February 2027 (till 14th March in case of 6 weeks) |
| Pricing | ~ 16,500–16,700 PLN* *Final price depends on the Canadian Dollar (CAD) exchange rate. |
| Registration | - open limited number of places |
| Registration contact | tel: +48 502 634 097 email: apply@polish-academy-canada.com |
| How can I register for Summer School? | Fill in our registration form below and send to us. You can also call us or e-mail us and we will help you to register. |
| Child Custody | Flight to Canada with a chaperone from Poland. |
Winter Experience
Don't Just Learn English. Live It.
Winter School students become part of real life in Canada. They attend a Canadian public high school on Vancouver Island, join regular classes, meet Canadian and international students and experience a different approach to education and student life.
English is not limited to the classroom. Students use it throughout the entire day – at school, at home with their host family, with friends, during activities and while exploring Canada. This natural immersion helps them become more confident communicating, understand everyday spoken English and start using the language without constantly translating.
At the same time, students experience a very special side of Canadian winter. Vancouver Island combines one of Canada's mildest coastal climates with spectacular mountains and real winter adventures just a short journey away.
Snow-covered mountains
Skiing and snowboarding
Ice skating
Pacific Ocean
Evergreen forests Authentic Canadian school and family life
The experience is about much more than improving English. Students learn to adapt to a new environment, become more independent, build confidence and discover what everyday life and education in Canada are really like.
For students considering a longer stay abroad, Winter School can also be the perfect first step before a semester or academic-year exchange in Canada.
Mild by the ocean. Snowy in the mountains. From the classroom to the ski slopes – experience Canada from the inside.
Dover Bay High School
Students at Dover Bay Secondary school are encouraged to pursue excellence in both their academic and personal life. The school understands each student learns in different ways and have developed a variety of course options to meet those needs. Students at Dover Bay are challenged to think critically and independently. The school also emphasizes the importance of physical health and well being, not only for the individual but for the community as a whole. Dover Bay Secondary School has created a school culture where students have a great opportunity to succeed.
The staff is dedicated to providing the best quality of education and care available to International Students. They strive to ensure that students’ experiences with our program is positive from before they even arrive in Canada. They are committed to comprehensive student support, quality homestay placements and ethical business practices. Their goal is student success.
Canadian Winter Activities & Trips
Winter School is not only about going to school.
Depending on the selected dates and program package, students may also have opportunities to participate in winter activities and international student events.
Activities may include:
Mt. Washington Winter Experience
Mt. Washington is one of Vancouver Island's best-known winter destinations.
After living and studying close to the Pacific coast, students can travel into a completely different landscape of snow-covered mountains and experience skiing, snowboarding and Canadian mountain life.
Ocean one day. Ski slopes the next.
Ice Skating
Few activities feel more Canadian than putting on a pair of skates during winter.
Students may have the opportunity to join organised ice-skating activities together with other international students.
Bowling
Bowling is a fun and relaxed way for students to spend time together, connect with others and enjoy a different kind of Canadian social experience.
It also encourages team spirit, communication and leadership in an informal setting, while giving students the chance to build confidence and new friendships.
Good energy, team spirit and a little friendly competition.
Whistler Experience (in march)
For selected program dates, students may have the opportunity to join a multi-day trip to Whistler, one of Canada's most famous mountain destinations.
It is an opportunity to discover another part of British Columbia, experience spectacular mountain scenery and share the adventure with other international students.
Additional Activities
Depending on dates and availability, activities and international student events may also include:
✓ Local Vancouver Island activities
✓ International student events
✓ Winter outdoor activities
✓ Selected excursions in British Columbia
Some additional trips and winter activities are optional and are not included in the standard program fee.
Who Is This Program For?
Winter School is perfect for students who:
✓ want to experience a Canadian high school
✓ would like to improve their English naturally
✓ want to experience living with a Canadian host family
✓ are curious about studying abroad
✓ cannot spend a full semester or year away from their school
✓ want to use their winter holidays for something completely different
✓ want to become more confident and independent
✓ are considering a longer Canadian exchange in the future
✓ are not ready for a semester or a year abroad
Winter School gives you the opportunity to experience Canadian school life first. A few weeks in Canada can help students discover whether studying abroad is something they would like to experience for longer in the future.
What is Included
Depending on the selected package:
✓ Canadian public-school placement
✓ Homestay accommodation
✓ Meals provided by the host family
✓ School registration
✓ Local student support
✓ Airport arrival/departure arrangements
✓ Medical insurance
✓ PAC support before and during the program
What is Not Included
- Flight ticket to Canada
- Winter Ski Activities – you may choose to do the winter activities or just also enjoy the high school experience
Location
Vancouver Island – A Canadian Winter Like No Other
Welcome to Vancouver Island, British Columbia – where the Pacific Ocean meets mountains, forests and Canadian outdoor life.
Vancouver Island gives Winter School students the opportunity to experience a side of Canada that is very different from the long, extremely cold winters many people imagine.
Students live and study close to the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by forests and spectacular nature, while Canada's snowy mountain landscapes remain within reach.
Nanaimo offers the combination of a welcoming Canadian community, beautiful coastline, nature and access to outdoor activities.
It is an ideal location to experience everyday Canadian life while discovering one of the most beautiful regions of the country.
Registration form
