FAQs

RMISP has an amazing team of caring homestay coordinators who meet with students every week and lead fun monthly activities in school, such as pumpkin carving, cookie decorating, trivia games and pizza lunches. Our students also enjoy a full schedule of day and overnight trips included at no extra charge!  

We have students coming for one semester (five months), a full school year (ten months), as well as for graduation (two to three years). Students participating in the Rocky Mountain International Student Program can stay as long as they like provided they continue to meet admission and program requirements and do not exceed 19 years of age.

Our schools are open from the beginning of September until the end of June. There are breaks at Christmas (two weeks) and for Spring Break in March (two weeks).

Space permitting, students are welcome to choose their school. The International Education Admissions team will make the final placement based on your request and interests, application package and space availability at each school.

Students beginning their studies in September or in February must arrive in time for our student orientation. We have mandatory arrival and departure dates that can be found on our APPLY NOW! page. 

Students requiring homestays are placed with carefully-selected host families. All of our homestays are safe, clean, pre-screened Canadian family homes. Placements are supervised and supported by a designated Homestay Coordinator in each community. Students may also live with a parent or guardian if one accompanies them to Canada.

RMISP organizes a variety of activities, trips and events for international students throughout the school year. Students are also encouraged to spend time with their host family and to participate in clubs, teams and activities provided in the school and community.  View our Schools and Communities page for more information about the recreational opportunities available. 

There are many sports teams/clubs available at our schools, and international students are encouraged to participate.  Some competitive teams require students to try out, and earning a spot on the team is not guaranteed. Each sport has a specific season of play (ex. volleyball is played in the fall, basketball runs November to February, golf is played in spring etc.) Check our Schools and Communities page for more information, and be sure to discuss your interests with your agent.

Extra fees do apply and are not included in your international student fees. To be eligible to play on a school team, students must be in BC for a minimum of 5 months or more.  

Students should be prepared for an English-immersion experience and to study with Canadian peers of the same grade level. Typically an intermediate level of English is required for students to feel comfortable and successful in their classes.

Students in grades 8-9 do not have a choice when it comes to their courses and take a mix of regular academic courses and electives.

Students in grades 10-12 should review school course handbooks and indicate their course preferences during the application process. Whenever possible, RMISP will place students in academic and elective courses according to their preferences, but course offerings are subject to change and availability of all options cannot be guaranteed. 

Textbooks are provided by your school and must be returned upon completion of each course. Students are responsible for their own supplies including pens, paper, notebooks and/or binders, gym clothes and other supplementary items as required by the teacher in each course. Student fees may be required for specialty courses.  

Students who meet the provincial requirements for graduation will receive the Dogwood Diploma. This usually requires 2+ years of full-time study at the Grade 11 and 12 levels.

Yes, provided you meet the admission criteria of the post-secondary institution to which you are applying. Good grades, strong references and a demonstrated level of English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS score) are usually required.

Laptops: Schools have computers or laptops for you to borrow during school time, but you may want to bring your own laptop if you typically do a lot of homework on your laptop after school hours.

Cell phones: It is mandatory for RMISP students to activate and maintain a Canadian cell phone account while in the program. So, you can either bring a cell phone from your home country (and purchase a Canadian SIM card for it when you arrive), OR you can purchase a cell phone when you arrive in Canada.

Yes. Students must be a minimum of 13 years of age and in Grade 8 to participate in the Rocky Mountain International Student Program and be placed in a homestay. Younger students are welcome, but they must be accompanied by a parent and live with them full-time.

Detailed information on the application process is available on this website. Click here for more information.

Applicants will normally be advised of their application status within two weeks of submitting a complete application.

Study permits are issued by IRCC through an online application process. If your application to study in RMISP is accepted, we will provide your agency with the required documentation to apply for your study permit.

Typically, all students except those living with their natural parents are enrolled in our homestay/custodianship program. You are welcome to contact us if you have a special case.

Yes. Generally, you need program permission, and in some cases also natural parents' permission, to travel during your stay in Canada (except when travelling with the program on regular monthly trips). Adult supervision (25 years or older) is required for all overnight trips. Students are not permitted to miss any school unless accompanied by host or natural parents. 

Students participating in the homestay program and for whom the Director of International Education is legal custodian cannot drive while participating in the Rocky Mountain International Student Program. No RMISP student is permitted to obtain a Learner's nor full Driver's license while in the program. 

RMISP will arrange mandatory medical insurance coverage for all students.  The cost of this insurance is included in our program fees. Information can be found on our Insurance page.

You can find this information on the APPLY NOW! page under Fees.

You must pay the international fees if your parents are not ordinarily resident / do not regularly live in the RMISP region, even if you or your parents are Canadian citizens.