5-week OCDSB/France Exchange Application

Welcome to the application for the Ottawa-Provence France 5-Week Exchange.

The schools we are partnering with are in the Région Académique Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and include schools across the region including Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and Nice. For next year, there may additional schools beyond these regions participating.

Please read through the application carefully.

You can save your progress and come back to the application by setting up a free account. To do this click SAVE at the bottom of this page.

Priority will be given to students in the OCDSB's International Certificate Program.

Dates of Importance

Monday, March 23: Application Due

Beginning of May: Students notified if they have been accepted or not

Phase 1 of Exchange - French students here: October 10 - November 14, 2026

Phase 2 of Exchange - Ottawa students in France: March 12 - April 17, 2027

If you have any questions, please contact Sean Oussoren, OCDSB / OCENET International Education Coordinator sean.oussoren@ocdsb.ca

Name*

First NameLast Name

Gender*

MaleFemaleOther

Preferred Pronouns*

Date of Birth*

The country of your passport. *

When it expires. Put n/a if you don't have one*

Your grade*

91011

Your school*

The email you check regularly*

How do you get to and from school most often?*

Yellow busOC TranspoWalk / Bike / RideOther

How did you hear about the Exchange*

Name of your guidance counsellor*

Which of the following are you enrolled in?*

I'm in French ImmersionI'm in Core FrenchI'm in the International Certificate Program (ICP)

Parent / Guardian #1*

First NameLast Name

Parent / Guardian #1 Email*

Parent / Guardian #1 Phone*

Occupation / Professional Activity*

Parent / Guardian #2*

First NameLast Name

Parent / Guardian #2 Email

Parent / Guardian #2 Phone

Occupation / Professional Activity

Do you live in one home or do you alternate between two?*

Your Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityProvince

Postal Code

Exchange partner preference*

MaleFemaleNo preference

Some of the students live in a dormitory (2 - 4 students per room) at school during the week and at their family homes on weekends and holidays (including Easter and the entire last week of the exchange which is a holiday). Please indicate your preference for boarding.*

I do not wish to be partnered with a student who is boarding (lives at school)I am okay being partnered with a student who is boarding (lives at school).

Have you ever hosted a student in your home before?*

YesNo

Please explain.

Will your partner have his/her own room? (NB: Mandatory if your exchange partner is of the opposite sex)*

YesNo

Sister(s) Age(s) and Name(s) if any

Brothers(s) Age(s) and Name(s) if any

Do you have any other people living with you at home (besides parents and siblings)?*

YesNo

Please explain.

Do you have any pets in the home?*

YesNo

How many and what kind?

Do you smoke ?*

YesNo

Does anyone else in your family smoke (tobacco or cannabis)?*

At homeOutsideNo

Could you stay in a home where somebody smokes?*

Inside the home is okayOutside the home only

Could you host someone in your home who smokes? Please note that smoking is more prevalent in France among youth and the population in general*

Yes, no restrictionsYes, but outside the home only

Please share any additional thoughts or considerations we should know about with regards to hosting.

Name of Reference*

First NameLast Name

Occupation*

Email*

example@example.com

Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number

How long has this person known you?*

How does this person know your family?*

Do you have any allergies or physical constraints / mobility issues?*

NoYes

If yes, please give details:

Are you receiving any medical or psychological support?*

NoYes

If so, please give details

Do you have any food considerations (e.g vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerance, Kosher, Halal, etc)?*

NoYes

If so, please give details:

Have you lived away from home before?*

YesNo

If yes, please explain.

What do you typically do after school and on weekends including after-school activities, jobs, etc.*

What types of music do you like to listen to?*

What types of sports are you interested in / involved in?*

Do you have any artistic interests? (visual arts, photography, drama, etc.) *

What are some other hobbies and interests that you have?*

Choose 2-4 words that best describe you*

What does "family time" look like in your house.*

Please explain in 200 - 300 words why you wish to take part in the Ottawa- Provence France Exchange.*

Please upload a few photos of your family, your home and your school. *

Browse Files

Please open this document and email it or give it to two or more of your teachers (this year or last year) who knows you and can speak to your ability to participate in this exchange.

Please scan / photograph and upload your June report card from last year and your February report card from this year. *

Browse Files

I am aware that a great personal effort is required in looking after my possible exchange partner. If I am chosen to take part in the exchange, I confirm that I will be present during the whole of my partner’s stay in Ottawa and that I will not take part in any other exchange or class trips without my partner.*

YesNo

I understand that the cost of this program is approximately $3700 CAD. The final cost will depend upon flights, insurance and the number of students participating. Payments will be broken up into instalments between June 2026 and January 2027 with a portion going to OCENET for exchange administration and a portion going directly to the travel agent for flight and mandatory insurance. Our refund policy will be shared with you if you are accepted.*

YesNo

I am aware that circumstances beyond the control of OCDSB / OCENET and académies Aix-Marseille-Nice such as, but not limited to, pandemics may precipitate a cancellation of all or part of the exchange. This could then result in the possibility that a significant portion of the fees may not be refunded. I will follow the most current travel and health advice from the Government of Canada, the local health unit and the Government of France when travelling there.*

YesNo

I declare that all information in this application is true. In the case of being matched I will follow the rules outlined below :*

YesNo

I understand that consistent school attendance is required both in Canada and France, and that frequent absences may put participation in the exchange at risk.*

YesNo

I understand that I will travel to and return from France with the exchange program group.*

YesNo

I understand that I must participate in all the school activities organized by my host school in France. This is one of the main objectives of the exchange*

YesNo

During my stay in France, I understand that I may not travel alone without the consent of those responsible for me in my host country.*

YesNo

While in France I will not engage in any inherently dangerous activity (extreme sports) and specifically will not hitch-hike or drive a motorized vehicle.*

YesNo

I understand that legislation abroad for the protection of children and young people makes it illegal to purchase or consume alcohol of any kind and it is therefore forbidden to do so. This is also valid for all kinds of drugs (except for those prescribed by a doctor on a prescription translated into the language of the host country).*

YesNo

I will abide by the laws of my host country and accept the direction and guidance of my host parents at all times. I agree to abide by the instructions given by the representatives and coordinators of the Academies Aix-Marseille-Nice, the coordinators responsible abroad as well as by the liaison teachers at my hosting school.*

YesNo

I agree to consider reducing contact with my home country to facilitate my immersion. I am aware downloading/uploading materials from the internet, (including films, television shows and music) without appropriate payment to the copyright holder(s) can be illegal. The host family or host school which has provided the internet connection for my use will not be held legally or financially responsible as a result of my actions.*

YesNo

I agree to attend school on a daily basis. Regular attendance is mandatory except for a legitimate reason such as illness. In addition, I will follow the rules set out by my host school.*

YesNo

I agree that if, during my stay in the host country a major incident such as a family emergency or breaking of the program’s rules requires an early return, it will be the responsibility and cost of my home country’s (not host) family.*

YesNo

I will respect all people involved in the exchange program, and in a way that will not damage any person’s reputation, including that of my partner, my host family, the teachers and students, as well as other participants in the exchange group. I will not disseminate any information detrimental to the reputation of others, including through the use of email, text or social media such as Instagram, Snapchat and the like. I recognize that the dissemination of information which slanders, insults, hurts or damages others may result in legal action.*

YesNo

Neither académies Aix-Marseille-Nice, the OCDSB nor OCENET are responsible for any conflicts of any kind between the participating families or students. Disagreements will be resolved between the families in the best possible way. In the case of persistent misunderstanding, the host school will be contacted first through the guidance counselor (Canada) or the referring teacher (France), who will in turn communicate with the program organizers.*

YesNo

As a participant in this program, I will remember that I represent my country, my school and my family.*

YesNo

I will respect curfews, instructions and guidelines set by my host family in France.*

YesNo

I permit the school to share the contents of school attendance and academic reports with my parents, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and host parents in order that guidance and assistance can be provided as required.*

YesNo

I understand that any continuous failure to abide by the above guidelines may result in my dismissal from the exchange.*

YesNo

Date*

Student Signature

2026 - 2027 Ottawa-Provence France 5-Week Reciprocal Exchange

Application Deadline: March 23, 2026

Contact Details

Hosting an Exchange Student

Host Family Reference

Your Health

Your Background and Interests

Documents to Get

Teacher Reference Letter

Report Cards

Student Declaration

Parent / Guardian Approval and Reflection