Farm Stay Experience

Ukończenie minimum 4-tygodniowego kursu języka angielskiego w International Gateway Kelowna w wymiarze 25 lekcji/tydzień

International Gateway Kelowna

FARM STAY EXPERIENCE

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 for 1 to 6 weeks. This program must be taken in conjunction with a full time Practical ESL and Homestay program (minimum 4 weeks) at IGK prior to the farmstay.

Ages 19+

Ranch and Farm Options:

1. INGRID RANCH, Kelowna, BC (Horse boarding stable) (horses, dogs, cats-students must be proficient riders if they plan to ride here)

2. DI RANCH, Oyama, BC (horse breeder, boarding stable)

(horses, dogs, cats-students must be proficient riders if they plan

Non Refundable Registration and Finders Fee 0CAD

FARMSTAYS must be taken in conjunction with an ESL / Homestay program

at IGK prior to the Farmstay placement.

Farm stay Fee: 80CAD per week

• 1 week = 7 nights/ 8 days

• Extra night charge = 5 per night

Includes:

Accommodation, 3 meals per day, laundry facilities and horseback riding (at horse ranches only).

• Other activities like hiking, fishing, mountain biking, snowshoeing etc., may be offered depending on the Farmstay and the season.

• Students are required to volunteer at least 15 hours per week at the Farmstay as part of this program.

Volunteering

Work schedules are to be arranged between the farm stay participant and the farm after arrival.

The ranches typically have 2 to 4 bedrooms allocated for farm stay participants and other guests and are open year round. 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.

Farmstay 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!!

Arrivals/ Departures

Transfer from Homestay to Farmstay by IGK staff

Transfer from Farmstay to Kelowna Airport or Kelowna Greyhound Bus Station

Additional Notes:

• Most ranches are in remote areas so there is infrequent access to the internet and no WiFi. It is strongly advised that students have a cell phone or purchase telephone cards in advance before arriving at the ranch.

• Students should have some $CAD cash on hand as the ranches and many stores and shops don’t accept T.C.’s, Credit or Debit cards in remote areas.

• Horseback riding and various outdoor activities vary with each Farmstay and are available at the ranch’s discretion due to safety, liability, weather and insurance concerns.

• Farmstays are for individual students only. They don’t accept couples or families. IGK can arrange a guest ranch stay for couples or families with horseback riding and full board starting at 0 per person per day.

• Optional weekend sightseeing trips are occasionally arranged by the farm stay and are typically at extra cost.

• Students must provide their own fully comprehensive medical insurance, present a copy of the insurance policy to the ranch upon arrival and may have to sign a ranch or farm liability waiver.

• The Farmstay application fee is non-refundable after the application is made and the farmstay fee is non-refundable after arrival at the ranch or farm.