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Step 1: Students will receive an email from Vital English. Please make to download the Kootenay Lake Arrival app onto personal devices - phones or iPads. This Virual Orientation provides:

  • how to adapt to Canadian culture in Canada

  • the difference of the Canadian education systems

  • how to help make homestay successful 

  • information on Canadian pop culture

  • how to navigate airports on arrival in Canada and Canadian law. 

  • English placement test - reading. writing and conversational levels

  • opportunities for continued online English learning


Step 2: In School Orientation

All students will receive an in school or virtual orientation during one of their first days of school.  Please see a sample outline for a school based orientation at LV Rogers Secondary School.  Orientations will be school specific and will support students to have a successful start to their school year. Topics covered:

  • staff introduction
  • timetable and schedule
  • school orietation
  • locks and lockers
  • medical emergencies
  • problem solving withreal life situations
  • monthly activities
  • how to be successful 

Students will leave knowing who their contact person is and what to do in a variety of events that may occur.


Step 3: First Group Activity

All international students will be invited to take part in a large group activity. The activity is coordinated by our full time homestay contractor and it takes place shortly after school begins. The event also highlights the opportunity to form friendships with each other. 


Step 4: Homestay Orientation

Finally, a homestay home orientation will take place in the family home - with the student, host parents and homestay contractor present - within the first month of arrival. This is a good time to set expectations and make sure the students are comfortable in their new homes.