Description

International Gateway Kelowna offers a unique opportunity for students to explore and enjoy rural and 'Western' life on a variety of ranches and farms in the Thompson/Okanagan area of British Columbia. This semi-desert environment has open rangeland for cattle, little rainfall and bright blue skies! Opportunities for fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, swimming, horseback riding and just 'kicking back' are numerous. Students are placed on a farm or ranch of their choice for 1 to 6 weeks. This program must be taken in conjunction with Practical ESL classes and homestay at IGK prior to the farmstay placement.

Highlights

Work schedules are to be arranged between the farm stay participant and the farm after arrival. The ranches typically have 3 to 14 bedrooms allocated for farm stay participants and other guests and are open year round as 'guest' ranches. It is for this reason that they require farm stay participants. The ranches and farms require assistance feeding and saddling horses, painting and building fences, gardening, haying, doing light outdoor work, cooking and housekeeping for guests. Farm stay placements are an excellent way for students to learn new skills, practice English conversation with Canadians and build bonds, friendships and memories that will last a lifetime!

Travel Types

• Fishing
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Horseback Riding

Qualifications

None. Ages 16 and up. Cambridge FCE recommended.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Adventure Travel

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

280 per week

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing

Program Fees Include:

Non Refundable Registration and Finders Fee 220 CAD (one time)

* Students are required to book at least 1 week of ESL and homestay at IGK prior to their farmstay placement

Farmstay fee - 280 CAD per week (1 week = 7 nights/ 8 days) Extra night charge - 40 CAD

Includes:
- accommodation
- 3 meals per day
- laundry facilities
- horseback riding (at ranches only) and other outdoor activities
- Students are required to volunteer at least 15 hours per week at the farm stay to offset the costs of their stay as the guest ranches and farms typically charge CAD 100 per night to regular paying guests.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

A Swiss or Japanese female in their 20's who likes animals, horses and nature.

Age Range

16-40

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

24 hours

International Gateway Kelowna's Mission Statement

International Gateway Kelowna offers English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to students in a safe, caring and affordable environment.

Year Founded

2002