5-week OCDSB/France Exchange Application
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  • 2026 - 2027 Ottawa-Provence France 5-Week Reciprocal Exchange

    Application Form

  • 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

  • Application Deadline: March 23, 2026

    All applicants will be notified the first week of May.
  • Gender*
  • Your grade*
  • How do you get to and from school most often?*

  • How did you hear about the Exchange*

  • Which of the following are you enrolled in?*

  • Contact Details

  • Hosting an Exchange Student

  • Exchange partner 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).

    More information about boarding, the schedule, expectations and what it all means can be found here: 

  • Please indicate your preference with regards to the possibility of being partnered with someone who lives in a boarding school during the week.*
  • Have you ever hosted a student in your home before?*
  • Will your partner have his/her own room? (NB: Mandatory if your exchange partner is of the opposite sex)*
  • Do you have any other people living with you at home (besides parents and siblings)?*
  • Do you have any pets in the home?*
  • Do you smoke ?*
  • Does anyone else in your family smoke (tobacco or cannabis)?*
  • Could you stay in a home where somebody smokes?*
  • 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*

  • Host Family Reference

    Please provide one character reference that supports your application to serve as a Host Family for Phase 1 of this exchange. Please choose a reference who knows your family dynamics, understands your home life, and understands the nature of this program. ***This reference may not be a relative or an employee who works for your family.***
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  • Your Health

  • Do you have any allergies or physical constraints / mobility issues?*
  • Are you receiving any medical or psychological support?*
  • Do you have any food considerations (e.g vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerance, Kosher, Halal, etc)?*

  • Your Background and Interests

  • Have you lived away from home before?*
  • Choose 2-4 words that best describe you*

  • Documents to Get

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  • Teacher Reference Letter

  • 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. 

  • Report Cards

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  • Student Declaration

    The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is committed to providing the best possible educational environment for its students. During your academic and cultural study time in France, you serve as an ambassador not only of the OCDSB, but of Ontario and of Canada.
  • 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.*
  • 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.*
  • 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.*
  • I declare that all information in this application is true. In the case of being matched I will follow the rules outlined below :*
  • 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.*
  • I understand that I will travel to and return from France with the exchange program group.*
  • 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*
  • 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.*
  • 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.*
  • 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).*
  • 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.*
  • 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.*
  • 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.*
  • 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.*
  • 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.*
  • 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.*
  • As a participant in this program, I will remember that I represent my country, my school and my family.*
  • I will respect curfews, instructions and guidelines set by my host family in France.*
  • 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.*
  • I understand that any continuous failure to abide by the above guidelines may result in my dismissal from the exchange.*

  • Parent / Guardian Approval and Reflection

  • I authorize both the OCDSB and OCENET to share personal, school and homestay information electronically with designated officials from académies Aix-Marseille-Nice.*
  • We declare that all the information that has been provided in this application form is complete and accurate.*
  • We agree to welcome the exchange student as a member of our family.*
  • We understand that under extreme circumstances, a visiting student may need to be placed with a new home. We understand that this process may require a few days and that we will be patient with the process.*
  • I understand that for the duration of my child's time in France, they will be under the supervision and care of the host family, not the OCDSB or OCENET.*
  • As a host family for the individual student exchange, we ensure that we will respect and protect, in all conscience and good faith, the personal limits of the young person entrusted to us. The young person and the host family have the right to openly communicate their own limits at any time and in any place, verbally and non-verbally.*
  • We endeavor to prevent, in all good faith, violations of the private sphere of the child welcomed within the family or in our environment and to discuss them openly with the persons concerned. In the event of concrete incidents and critical behavior within the family or in the immediate surroundings of the exchange student, we will contact the family first before speaking with the exchange coordinators.*
  • None of the people living in our household has ever committed a criminal offence related to sexualized violence or been expelled from any youth organization or institution due to physical, psychological/ emotional or sexual abuse. If we become aware of such incidents or suspicious facts in our immediate surroundings, we will inform the OCENET exchange coordinator.*
  • We agree to participate in any pre-exchange meetings.*
  • I give permission for my son / daughter to participate in any activity or trip organized by OCENET during Phase 1 of the exchange here in Ottawa (i.e. Outdoor Education Centre, etc.)*
  • I give permission to OCDSB, OCENET and académies Aix-Marseille-Nice to use photos / videos of my child in any promotional and / or professional material.*
  • I understand that any continuous failure to abide by the above guidelines may result in my child's dismissal from the exchange progam (and if in France, the return of my child to Ottawa at my own expense without refund of fees).*
  • I understand that my child must consistently attend school both in Canada and in France. Frequent absences may put participation in the exchange at risk.*
  • I understand that the approximate cost for my child to participate in the exchange is approximately $3700. The final cost will depend upon flights, insurance and 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 costs and a portion going directly to the travel agent directly for flight and insurance. The refund policy will be shared with you if you are accepted.*

  • Please note that students requiring financial assistance are eligible to apply for the OCENET Study Abroad Bursary. More details can be found here. 

  • I am also aware that circumstances beyond the control of OCDSB / OCENET and académies Aix-Marseille 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. We will follow the most current travel and health advice from the Governments of Canada and France.*
  • I understand that we will bear all costs associated with lodging and transportation while the French exchange student is living with us. School transportation, if required, is arranged and paid for by OCENET. Similarly, the costs associated with lodging and transportation for our child will be borne by the French host families during Phase 2.*

  • The OCDSB / OCENET & académies Aix-Marseille-Nice, its officers, employees, agents, volunteers and representatives will not be held responsible for any loss or injury sustained by the candidate during the travel and study periods. If the applicant becomes ill or incapacitated, the OCDSB / OCENET & académies Aix-Marseille-Nice and its representatives may take measures they deem necessary, including obtaining medical treatment and transporting the patient home at his / her family's expense.

    Each family must purchase health insurance from the travel agent as part of the overall exchange cost. 

    The undersigned hereby agrees to indemnify OCENET, OCDSB and académies Aix-Marseille-Nice for damages or expenses caused by our child's behavior or voluntary or negligent actions while studying abroad in France.

    Any inaccuracy in the application is grounds for the OCDSB/OCENET & académies Aix-Marseille-Nice to terminate the agreement and send the student home without refund and at the parents' own expense.

    I have read, understand and agree to follow the rules and guidelines as outlined above.

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