Student story – exchange year on Vancouver Island, Canada

Hi everyone! 🗺️

My name is Irene, and I’m currently spending my 11th-grade year (spring 2025) on Vancouver Island, Canada. School, friends, and new experiences are all important parts of a great exchange year. But for me, one of the most meaningful aspects has been the host family and the bond you build with them.

I live close to the school

I feel incredibly lucky with my host family! My host family consists of four members: my host mom, my host dad, my host brother, and my host sister. Oh, and we also have two adorable cats who make our home even cozier!

We live in a charming house near downtown Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island. It’s a beautiful area full of parks, waterfront trails, and even a Tim Hortons just around the corner! My school, Nanaimo District Secondary School, is only a five-minute drive away.

I have my own room here, and it’s even bigger than my bedroom back home in Spain! I sleep in a queen-size bed and have a huge wardrobe. My host siblings and I have our rooms in the basement, which is pretty common in Canadian homes, and super convenient, especially during the snowy season.

A typical school day for me

On a typical school day, I wake up, get ready, and have breakfast with my host siblings. Then, our host mom drives us to school. We usually all gather again for dinner, where we enjoy one of the delicious meals she cooks. About once a month, we treat ourselves to a night out or order some food in!

At first, the hardest thing for me was adjusting to the food. Even though my host mom is an amazing cook, Canadian meals felt very different compared to the simple, flavorful dishes I’m used to in Spain. But over time, I’ve adapted – and now I love trying new flavors!

Weekends here are full of activities

Weekends are always full of fun adventures. We often visit nearby towns, head to the beach or river, or even take the ferry to Vancouver – especially if there’s a lacrosse game on! We also enjoy BBQ dinners with friends and family. My host family loves the outdoors, so when the weather is nice, we go hiking or camping. One of my favorite activities has been skiing on Mt. Washington during the long Canadian winter – it lasts almost five months!

Amazing experience

This experience of getting to know a new family and embracing a different way of life has been truly amazing. I feel so grateful and happy to be here.

Thanks for reading, and I hope your exchange experience will be just as wonderful! 😊