How long has the Explore Program been in existence?
The program began in 1971, more than 40 years ago. It was formerly referred to as the Summer Language Bursary Program.

Can I choose where I can participate in the Explore Program?
In part. On your application, you indicate your top three choices of institutions where you would like to participate in the Explore program. Every effort is made to place participants in one of their preferred educational institutions when the random draws take place, but it is frequently the case that enrolment at these institutions is no longer available. In such cases, a bursary could be offered to you at a different location, if you chose this option in your application.

Will I have to take a language test?
Yes. Language tests are usually held at the beginning of the course. Some educational institutions will allow you to write the test on-line before the course begins. 

Will I be placed with other participants that have the same level of comprehension of my second language as me?
Yes. The purpose of the language test is precisely to place you in a group whose members are at comparable levels of comprehension of the second language. Several levels are available (beginner, intermediate and advanced).

Will there be an examination at the conclusion of the immersion course?
Yes. In addition to the progress exams, your teacher will administer an end-of-course test to assess what you have learned.

Can I obtain equivalence or recognition of credits upon completing the five-week immersion course?
This is possible, but not automatic. The host institution will give you a letter of confirmation. Keep it in a safe place. Be sure to save any documentation that might be used to support a request for credit recognition or equivalence (e.g. course outline, weekly schedule, session calendar and personal assignments that have been graded and other work) filed with your home college or university. Each educational institution makes these decisions independently.

Will I have any free time between courses and activities?
Yes. You will have free time some evenings and on weekends.

Can I work while taking the immersion course?
No. Since this is an intensive program, you are not allowed to hold a job during the five weeks of the course.

When is the random draw held?
The bursary draw is usually held at the beginning of April.

How will I find out if I have won a bursary in the initial draw?
You will receive a message in your Internet student file in March, indicating that the file has been transferred from AFE to Explore and that you need to activate your personal file on that site. Once the files have been transferred for the all-Canada bursary draw, you will receive two e-mail messages in April from the CMEC. The first e-mail will provide your user name, while the second contains a temporary password that you will need to change to a self-selected permanent password the first time you log on. Then you can access your file to see the current status of your application, whether or not you have received a bursary or are on the waiting list, etc. The origin address of these e-mails will be explore@olp.cmec.ca. It is very important that you add this address to your trusted e-mail list to ensure the e-mails are not rejected as spam.

If my name is drawn, how much time will I be given to confirm my acceptance of the bursary?
After the first draw in April, you will be asked for a quick preliminary reply and, if applicable, to confirm your registration within 10 working days from the date the educational institution contacted you. If your name is drawn in one of the subsequent draws, you will have significantly less time to reply and confirm your acceptance (24 to 48 hours, maximum).

What should I do if I do not wish to accept the bursary?
Simply inform the educational institution that offered the bursary of your decision by e-mail. You will remain eligible to apply to the Explore program in a subsequent year.

What is the purpose of the waiting list?
The waiting list is used to fill places that free up following withdrawals.

How are places filled following withdrawals?
Additional draws are held each week among the names on the waiting list. You can check your on-line student file on the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Web site to find out if you have obtained a bursary in one of the additional draws.

Can I participate in the immersion program with my friends?
There is no feature that enables you to ask to participate with friends. Since the bursaries are awarded by random draw, there is little chance that you will be able to participate with your friends at the same location. Moreover, since the names of applicants remain confidential, you will be unable to learn in advance who will take the course at the same educational institution as you.

Can I choose between dormitory or off-campus host family accommodations?
No. On the other hand, you can state your top three choices of educational institution when you apply to the program, taking account of the type of accommodation offered by each. Some institutions only offer dormitory accommodations, while others only place immersion students with host families. Some institutions offer both choices. If your host institution offers both types of lodging, you will have to accept the type it offers you, and no change of residency type can be made during the immersion session itself.

At what point will I know if I have been placed in a host family or in a university dormitory?
The educational institution will provide information about the type of accommodations allocated to you prior to the start of the program. You will need to accept the offer as made.

What can you tell me about dormitory and host family accommodations?
Generally speaking, you will have a private or semi-private room with a single bed and a shared bathroom. Accommodations do vary among institutions and families, naturally. If both members of a couple receive bursaries at the same educational institution, there is no guarantee that they can share a room.

How are host families selected?
Educational institutions often have well-established networks of trusted families that host bursary students. Individual institutions add families to their network through an interview process, using their own criteria. Recruiters take account the interest shown for hosting students, family morals and values, the home environment and family recreational activities. As well, they make certain that all family members understand the requirements of the program. Families vary as to number of children (or no children), active in the workplace or retired, etc. Some institutions hold a mandatory meeting for host families. An instruction manual is also provided to host families. Families that host minors are required to provide criminal records, if any, for all family members over the age of 18.

How do host institutions match bursary students with families?
Explore bursary students that are placed with host families fill out a questionnaire in which they state their preferences and restrictions (health, allergies, animals, food, tobacco, etc.). Efforts are made to match host families with the information students provide on their questionnaires. Still, there is obviously no guarantee that any given host family will match all the stated preferences.

Will someone greet me at the airport when I arrive?
You must contact the host educational institution to find out.

Can I arrive at the educational institution after the start date of my course?
No early or late arrival is permitted. Institutions are not responsible for individuals that arrive prior to the start of classes, and the bursary of anyone absent on the first day of class will be cancelled.

It is extremely important for bursary students to arrive on the appointed program date as indicated by the host institution in order not to miss first-day information and language testing.

Do I have to pay travel expenses to the educational institution?
Yes. You are required to pay and plan your travel to and from your host institution. Please take account of the costs of travel when applying. Any tickets needed for getting around during your free time, including a monthly bus pass, need to be paid for personally.s

Are the activities offered as part of the immersion program free?
Compulsory activities included in the program are free. A fee may be charged for optional activities organized by the institution.

What does “learning materials are provided,” mean?
This phrase means that learning materials including course textbooks, posters, audio-visual equipment, language labs and exercise booklets used in class are provided (sometimes on loan) by the establishment. You may also purchase the course textbook should you wish to keep it.
You will need to provide items like crayons, pens, notebooks, folders and paper. It is recommended that you have an English/French dictionary available at all times during the immersion course.

Can I include my participation in the Explore program as summer school in my next application for financial assistance?
No. Explore is a five-week language learning program and as such, is not recognized by the Loans and Bursaries Program.

If for some reason I do not finish the five weeks of the course (withdrawal or dismissal), will I still receive a tax form?
Yes. The bursary is deemed taxable income whether or not you actually finish the full five weeks of the course.