Why Canada

Quick! What's the first thing you think of when the word "Canada" comes to mind? Hockey? Beer? Funny comedians? Here's your chance to not only visit this culturally and geographically diverse northern neighbour of yours but to actually "live, work and play" in it! From unparalleled sightseeing opportunities to cultural diversity that is unsurpassed by any other country in the world, Canada awaits!

Did you know that:
Canada and the U.S. are each other's largest trading partner?
America has a greater trading volume with just the Province of Ontario than it does with Japan! If you are an American student with ambitions to one day to thrive in the corporate world, this is your chance to head north of the border and learn more about your Canadian trading partner. Make your way to Toronto and pound the pavement for a job at an office in the financial district and get yourself acquainted with how Canadians do business.

Canada has two official languages?
In this bilingual country, you can get by with just speaking English or if it's the French experience you're after, then "Bienvenue à Montréal et Québec!" For many of our past participants, their hearts longed for Paris but their pocketbooks were calling for Montréal. In the province of Québec, past SWAPPERs discovered Canada's own version of Paris, France. At a much more affordable cost, these participants were able to boost their French language skills and take in the beauty of European-style streets and architecture.

Only London and New York sells more theatre seats than Toronto?
That's right, Toronto is one of the most happening places in the world! With live shows, concerts for any musical taste, and home to the second largest annual film festival in the world after Cannes, Toronto is one happening place!

The city of Vancouver has been elected the Host City of the XXI Olympic Winter Games in 2010.
Having long since achieved world-class status, it comes as no surprise that two million visitors a year make their way to the ski resort village of Whistler. Nestled below the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains on Canada's west coast, this ski haven is a winter sports junkie's paradise. Jobs are plentiful in this area year-round and soon, more employment opportunities will become available as Vancouver prepares to host the world in 2010!

Canada is an accessible and affordable working holiday destination?
Over the years, thousands of American students and youth just like yourself have come to Canada through SWAP. If this is your first time venturing off on your own, then the Work in Canada program is perfect for you. You get the "overseas" experience without actually having to go overseas and the costs associated with that. Familiarize yourself with a new culture and find out what it's like to live and work in another country that's close enough to the States for you to be familiar with the surroundings, but far enough to give you the experience of "making it on your own". Your family won't be agonizing about how far away you are and will likely be more supportive when you are planning the experience. Canada is sufficiently different from the States that you tend to see the world through a slightly different prism. It will be an interesting experience!