• Student Exchange
    Whistler Waldorf Exchange

An impactful and transformative experience

Grade 10 students have the opportunity to spend 3-4 months abroad. Students are free to choose from any of the Waldorf schools from around the world and initiate a relationship with a host family from that school.

On exchange, students live with that family and are able to immerse themselves in daily life in another language and culture while continuing their education at their host’s local Waldorf School. Completing the exchange program: upon their return, they also accommodate their partner exchange student for a reciprocal experience at the Whistler Waldorf School.

  • Step 1: INQUIRY

    Send an autobiographical letter of introduction with photos to our Exchange Coordinator

    Tell us about your family, hobbies and school. It is also helpful to identify when you are interested in travelling. This will be shared with our current Grade 9 students and you will be contacted if a match is found.

    You can also register on wal-di.com to search for interested students from our school.

  • Step 2: APPLICATION

    After you have found a potential exchange partner, you will apply to WWS by submitting an application form. Your application will be reviewed, and you will participate in an admissions interview.

  • Step 3: REGISTRATION

    If accepted and to fully register, you must submit required identification, health information, and proof of travel/medical insurance.

    Important: You must check with the Canadian Embassy in your city to find out if you require a visa for your time in Canada.

    Fees: While no tuition fees are charged for the exchange – provided that tuition is paid for the full year at the home school and the exchange time is an equal duration for both students. There may be incidental fees – e.g. such as language tutoring or class travel expenses.

Student Testimonials

Kristoffer was treated like a king with his host family. He attended a beautiful school and had the opportunity to try different classes that were available. He joined a football team.  He took day trips and enjoyed the sights and sounds of Paris on a daily basis. The exchange program gave Kristoffer a strong sense of individuality and the opportunity to grow and spread his wings in a safe caring environment. Importantly, he also came home with a better appreciation of all that he has here.

Being able to experience a small amount of a completely different life in a completely different country with completely new people has been so incredible and has opened my mind up to so many things I didn’t even know my mind could be opened to! I’ve made many new lifelong friends, seen amazing and monumental sights, learned, laughed and have been amazed at how much a place can have to offer if you are there long enough. My exchange family has been as welcoming as my own. I’m really lucky to have had such an incredible time that I know I will remember forever.

Here in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor we live in a small bubble cast by the mountains that shield us from the outside world and it is funny how small a perspective can be when not exposed to differing environments. This simple exchange made me open my eyes to the amount of diversity of all kinds we live with in this world. From making new friends to arguing the rights and wrongs of the Death Penalty in a foreign language, I had an incredible experience on my exchange which I remember fondly all the time.

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