Global Exchange Program

GLOBAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Boarding school already requires students to move away from the comforts of home and embrace many new challenges. Participating in an exchange program takes that experience to a new level by integrating into a different culture, engaging with host families, and reaching out to form new relationships. Students returning from an exchange bring with them an expanded sense of global community, renewed self-confidence and many fond memories.

For those students fortunate enough to take part, the Global Exchange Program is a special part of the Shawnigan Journey, our unique educational, social and emotional experience that is designed to help current and future students adapt to a rapidly changing world.
"You can be very proud of the calibre of students you send to us and the way they conduct themselves. They are wonderful ambassadors not only for Shawnigan Lake School but also for Canada. I look forward to welcoming more of your students in the future..." - Sarah Payne (Canberra Grammer School, Australia)

About The Program

List of 4 items.

  • Costs

    If reciprocal, an individual exchange will cost the price of the return air fare, pocket money and incidentals. The school may offer an optional excursion, which will be an added cost.

    If not reciprocal, then school fees might be applicable for the duration.

  • Exchange partners

    Shawnigan offers reciprocal 1-8 week student exchange programs with the following overseas schools:

    Individual or pairs
    o  Canberra Grammar School, Canberra, Australia (boys)
    o  Hilton College, South Africa (boys)
    o  St. Margaret’s, Ascot, Queensland, Australia (girls)
    o  St. Catherine’s, Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (girls)
    o  Waikato Diocesan, Hamilton, New Zealand (girls)
    o  Oxford School, Villarrica, Chile ( co-ed)

    Group exchanges
    o  Lycee Sacre Coeur, Angers, France ( Spring Break)
    o  Azabu High School, Tokyo, Japan (Nov midterm break)
    o  Ritsumeikan High School, Kyoto, Japan 

    While the group exchanges to France and Japan take place during school breaks, the individual or pairs exchanges usually take place between January and mid-March.

    GAP Year Internship Opportunities
    Geelong Grammar School, Victoria, Australia
    Timbertop, Victoria, Australia

    Shawnigan Lake School is pleased to offer teaching internship opportunities for graduates considering a career in education. To learn more, please view the Teaching Intern posting on our Careers page.

  • Logistics

    In an individual exchange, students who leave Shawnigan to go to another school will be paired up with a student who will, in turn, return to Shawnigan later in the same year.

    On the exchange, Shawnigan students may live with a family at their homes or they may be placed in a boarding house at the school. This depends on whether the reciprocal student is a day or boarding student.

    Exchange students coming to Shawnigan as part of the reciprocal exchange will be placed in a boarding house. However, it must be pointed out that during our school breaks the Shawnigan student who has been on the exchange would be expected to host the reciprocal exchange student at his or her home.

  • Apply

    Contact Chelsea Russell for an application form and questionnaire.

    On completion of the form and if parental consent has been given, an interview will be conducted. All applicants will require strong support from their House Director and teachers.

    The expectation is that all students applying for an exchange will keep up with their academic work at Shawnigan. Wi-Fi and the support of a Shawnigan study buddy should make this straightforward to manage.

Registration Information

Currently accepting applicants, Grade 9 and 10 students are welcome to apply.
For further information, please email Chelsea Russell: carussell@shawnigan.ca

Program Director

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Chelsea Russell

    Chelsea Russell 

    House Director - Renfrew, Inclusive Education Teacher
    250-732-3718

Global Exchange News

List of 3 news stories.

  • An Inspiring Global Exchange

    In recent weeks, Grade 10 students taking part in Shawnigan’s Global Exchange program have fanned out to high schools in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to experience life as students in those countries. They will study alongside their peers in those nations while living with host families or in boarding houses at their respective schools. Jackson Froese travelled to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa last year as part of the Global Exchange program, and reflects here on his life-changing experience and how it inspired him to make a difference.
     
    Read More

  • Enrichment and Challenge on a Global Exchange

    In recent weeks, Grade 10 students taking part in Shawnigan’s Global Exchange program have fanned out to high schools in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to experience life as students in those countries. They will study alongside their peers in those nations while living with host families or in boarding houses at their respective schools. Meissa Pio travelled to Brisbane, Australia last year as part of the Global Exchange program, and reflects here on her experience.
     
    Read More

  • Going Global

    Eight Grade 10 students are preparing to broaden their horizons early in the new year as they depart for schools in the southern hemisphere as part of Shawnigan’s Global Exchange Program.
     
    The program is extremely successful this year, with roughly twice as many students participating as have in recent years. Three students are heading to St. Margaret’s School in Queensland, Australia, two are going to Canberra Grammar School in Australia, two are going to Hilton College in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and one is heading to Waikato Diocesan in Hamilton, New Zealand. Most of the programs are six weeks in duration, with the exception of the New Zealand exchange, which is four weeks.
     
    Students who participate in the program join their hosts for classes, sports, and other school activities. They stay in boarding houses or host homes, depending on the school they are visiting, and join their host students and their families for weekend activities.
     
    Read More
Archive
We are deeply grateful to Shawnigan for creating the opportunity and facilitating our son’s Grade 10 exchange to South Africa – an experience that opened his eyes to the world beyond his own and planted a lasting seed of empathy and global awareness.  This transformative journey shaped not only his perspective but also his heart.  We thank you sincerely for inspiring our son to dream big and to follow those dreams. - Lisa Grover, current parent and alumna

Our School Partners

We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
1975 Renfrew Road
Shawnigan Lake, BC V8H 2G7
+1-250-743-5516
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.