Frequently Asked Questions

How can you guarantee an internship placement?

We are choosy about who we accept into our programs. After your application to us, you will go through a screening process. We will only accept you if we are sure we can place you. If you are not placed within 2 weeks of your start date, you will receive a full refund.

Where will I live during my internship?

During your first week of in Vancouver, you will be placed at a youth hostel. This is included in your fees. Afterwards you will be responsible for your own accommodation. If you need assistance, we can provide you with homestay accommodation for $850 per month.

Do I have to pay all my fees up front?

No. You will need to pay a 25% deposit toward your fees - but afterwards, you are free to make payments. You must pay all fees before your official start date.

I'm from Vancouver, and I don't need accommodation, can I get a discount?

Yes. Please contact us directly for more information.

Will you meet me at the airport.

No, not usually. If you request it, we can meet you at the airport, but this is expensive ($100). Vancouver has an excellent transit system with a Skytrain (subway/metro) line running from the airport to within 2 blocks of your youth hostel. This train takes 20 minutes and costs $8.75 for a single trip from the airport.

Why should I pay for an internship?

The poor economy and the proliferation of college internship and co-op programs is limiting the number of internships available. To find a good internship you will need to devote more time and energy than you can spare. That's where we step in; we spend the time you don't have - to build networks of host companies, and find you the best match possible.

I'm not from Canada, do I need a work permit to do an internship?

Yes, you will need a work permit - or if you're already in Canada, a study permit - in order to do an internship. There are many types of work permits available. Please check our visas page for more information.

What is your refund policy?

Click here to see our program terms and conditions - including our refund policy.

What happens during my orientation session?

Our student services agent will give you a general orientation of the city, and review the terms and conditions of your placement. We will take you to obtain a Social Insurance Number (tax card) and a bank account, and assist you with getting a local cell phone.

How much does this program cost?

This program costs $1,200, including 1 week's accommodation, guaranteed placement, orientation, and ongoing monitoring and support. There is a 40% discount for Canadian students enrolled at public universities.

Where will I live?

During your first week, you will live in a youth hostel (included in your fees). During that week you will be responsible for locating your own accommodation. Homestay is available at a cost of $850 per month. If you choose homestay, your 1 week's youth hostel accommodation will be cancelled, and the fees redirected toward paying for your homestay registration fee.

Where can I do my internship?

Your internship will be in Metro Vancouver.

What field can I do my internship in?

There are almost limitless possibilities for student internships. It's in fact easier to say where your internship can't be: child care, medicine, and broadcast media.

How long will my internship be?

The exact length of your internship should be determined by your school requirements.

When should I apply?

Students currently resident in Canada (including international students on study permits) should apply at least 4 weeks in advance. All other students should apply at least 8 weeks in advance.

Can I choose my internship?

Yes, you can choose your program field, and then give us some direction within that field on what you're looking for. Once you've done that, we will begin to arrange interviews for you until you are given an internship offer.

How much will I be paid?

This is an unpaid internship, so you will receive no remuneration.

I don't have experience, can I still do an internship?

Yes, in most fields, experience is not required. In certain technical occupations like engineering or industrial design, you're required to have a basic knowledge of the field.

What are the start dates?

You can start this program at any time.

What happens if I don't pass my interview?

If you fail your first interview, another will be arranged for you. You will be given a maximum of 5 interview opportunities until you receive a placement offer. If you do not pass any of your 5 interviews, you will receive a refund.

How much does this program cost?

This program costs $1,500, including 1 week's accommodation, guaranteed placement, orientation, and ongoing monitoring and support.

Where will I live?

During your first week, you will live in a youth hostel (included in your fees). During that week you will be responsible for locating your own accommodation. Homestay is available at a cost of $850 per month. If you choose homestay, your 1 week's youth hostel accommodation will be cancelled, and the fees redirected toward paying for your homestay registration fee. Hospitality management students placed outside of Vancouver or Whistler, will reside in staff accommodation. Staff accommodation costs between $200 and $550 per month.

Where can I do my internship?

Most internships will be in Metro Vancouver. However the majority of hospitality management internships are done outside of the city, in one of British Columbia's resort communities.

What field can I do my internship in?

There are 4 broadly drawn internship fields: information technology, engineering, office administration, and hospitality management. You can intern in any field for which you meet the basic experience requirements.

How long will my internship be?

Paid Internships are usually between 4 months and 6 months. In some cases, where students are coming to Canada on long-term visas, placements can be as long as 1 year.

Can I choose my internship?

Yes, you can choose your program field, and then give us some direction within that field on what you're looking for. Once you've done that, we will begin to arrange interviews for you until you are given an internship offer.

How much will I be paid?

You will receive a stipend of between $200/week and $350/week. The amount does not necessarily depend on your background on the number of hours worked, but is instead determined by company needs.

I don't have experience, can I still do an internship?

No, to participate in this internship program you must be a recent graduate (within 1 year) of a related career college course, or be in your 4th year of university studies, or have 2 years of recent related work experience.

What are the start dates?

You can start this program at any time.

What happens if I don't pass my interview?

If you fail your first interview, another will be arranged for you. You will be given a maximum of 5 interview opportunities until you receive a placement offer. If you do not pass any of your 5 interviews, you will receive a refund.

When should I apply?

Students currently resident in Canada (including international students on study permits) should apply at least 12 weeks in advance. All other students should apply at least 16 weeks in advance

Where can I work?

Working holiday placements are organized by zone. Zone 1 includes Metro Vancouver and Whistler. Zone 2 includes the rest of British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains. You can work in either. Please see the program page for more information.

How much does accommodation cost?

You will live in staff accommodation. Staff accommodation is housing for the company's workers. It is usually at your workplace or very close to it. It costs between $200 per month and $550 per month. You will also need to pay a deposit of about $200 when you arrive there.

What is staff accommodation like?

It's a lot like a university dorm. You will usually share a room with 1 or 2 other people (of the same sex). In some places you will have 4 or 5 people sharing a kitchen and bathroom. In other places, you will share the bathroom, but instead of a kitchen, you will have access to a subsidized staff cafeteria.

What are the start dates?

Start dates vary depending on your destination. If you are looking for placement at a ski resort, your start date will need to be in December. If you're looking for a placement at a summer destination, then you will start in June. Placements are available year round in Vancouver.

Will I need to do an interview?

Yes, an interview is required. It will be done by phone. If you do not pass your interview, another will be arranged for you, and another until you are given a placement offer ( up to a maximum of five interviews). If you fail 5 interviews, you will be withdrawn from the program and your fees will be refunded.

Can I choose my job?

No. In this program you can choose your destinations, ranking them in order of preference. Due to the unpredictable nature of the job market, we need to place you in the first available position - typically in back of house hotel jobs at the resorts and in food services jobs here in the city. Please see the program page for more information on types of jobs done in this program.

How can I get to my host company?

Most students get to their host company by bus from Vancouver. Bus trips are relatively inexpensive, costing approximately $30 to Whistler, $50 to Vancouver Island, and $100 to the Rockies. If you request, bus transportation can be arranged for you before you arrived - you are responsible for paying your own transportation costs.

How much will I be paid?

Minimum wage in British Columbia is $8.00 per hour. Taxes and other deductions are done at source, so your pay cheque will be approximately 80% - 90% of the gross. Most working holidaymakers work for approximately 30 hours per week.

Can I get a job before I come to Canada?

Yes. If you are currently overseas and are coming to your work placement directly, then you will receive your placement before you arrive. if you plan on studying in Canada before you start work, you will receive your placement after you arrive.

What happens if I don't get a visa?

You will be withdrawn from the program and receive a full refund.