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About OSEF |
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OSEF ((Organisme de Séjours Educatifs Français), a French association instituted through Bill 1901 and founded in 1994, promotes linguistic and cultural exchanges between France, Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as all English speaking provinces in Canada and Australia. OSEF started to look into programmes with the USA and China at the end of 2007. OSEF is supported by Canadian school boards and their French equivalent "rectorats". It also has the support of the Ministry of Education in Belgium, the Cultural service of the French Embassies in New York, USA, and in Peking, China. Summer Exchange: About 100 students participate every year in our 1-month homestay programme. Canadian students spend the month of July in France, returning home with their French exchange partners in August, who then leave at the end of the month. 6, 9 & 11 week programmes: Each year, in August, over 400 students from different regions of France, Belgium and Luxembourg participate in a 6, 9 or 11 week exchange trip to Canada. These exchanges are for students aged 13-17 years of age. French students stay in Canada from mid-August until the beginning of November. All stay with their exchange partners' families, and attend school, where they are given an attendance report. The Canadian students travel to Europe from February until the end of April (depending on the arrival date). They also have to attend their exchange partners' schools. Every year, Christine LENFANT visits the French "rectorats" to meet the people from the National Education and inform them about the programmes. She also visits officials in Canada. This programme was created by the Canadian Ministry of Education approximately 30 years ago. Summer programmes are now offered to students from the USA. OSEF can also organize 2 month homestay and school exchange programmes upon a teacher's request. As many as 3 or 4 students from the same school can participate. With the principal's permission, more students can participate as long as it doesn't disrupt the daily operations of the school. OSEF organizes informational meetings in November and December in schools throughout France and Canada. Equivalent meetings can be organized in American schools upon request. Candidates and their parents complete a pre-registration form, followed by a amily file, which will assist in identifying the most suitable exchange partner based on their age, character traits, interests, and so forth. In every country (including the USA), our volunteer coordinators are in place to assist students with any concerns that may arise. Before his/her departure, the candidate will receive a card with the names and phone numbers of these coordinators. In May and June, Christine Lenfant and her team hold preparatory meetings for the French and Canadian candidates and their parents. The same meetings are held for the American candidates prior to the group's departure. Students travel on regular air lines. Coordinators chaperone the groups. They spend time in the country so that they are available to students should any problems occur. OSEF has home liability coverage. French and Canadian students are covered by their parents' home liability insurance policies. Furthermore, EuropAssistance insurance (included) will provide reimbursement for hospital and repatriation fees if incurred. Upon arriving in France, 2 preparatory days are organized for the students. They visit the Eiffel Tower, le Château de Notre-Dame, the Champs-Elysées, and they embark on a boat ride on the Seine river. On the second evening, a meeting is held to inform the exchange students regarding the procedures for transfers to parents, connecting flights or transportation by train, and to provide the necessary documentation for the duration of the programme. Please contact our coordinators for additional information, or to start the application process. |
