About Us

A Canadian organization with over 40 years of experience.

A globally recognized choice for studying in Canada

Canadian International Student Services

Since 1979, Canadian International Student Services Inc (CISS) has provided exceptional summer camp, high school, and year-round English and French language study experiences for children, teens, and adults. Today, the CISS name is globally recognized as the premier choice for language study programming in Canada.

CISS is committed to meeting and exceeding our clients’ expectations. We work intimately with our worldwide network of representatives to ensure this happens. We also carefully recruit and train staff for our programmes, and closely monitor their operation.

Our Philosophy

CISS is committed to providing a stimulating, challenging, and safe learning environment for students of all nationalities. We offer the highest quality student products available, and take pride in presenting them with a distinctly Canadian flavour.

Our staff is dedicated to providing a meaningful and animated learning experience within a warm and caring community. The variety of programmes available ensures each student is placed in the programme that best reflects his or her individual needs and interests.

We believe the international experience generates learning on many levels. The environment provides the opportunity to present cross-cultural communication and to nurture its development. The participants emerge more knowledgeable, more sensitive toward others, and more confident in his or her achievements and abilities. Each participant returns home with memories that last a lifetime.

Since 1979

Our History

CISS was founded by Nick Florian in 1979 in Toronto. Already a leader in the Canadian camping industry, Nick was among the first to launch language-based summer programmes for overseas students. CISS operated its first international campus programme at Erindale College in Mississauga, Ontario. In 1984, CISS introduced its second international programme – this one for adults – operating from Trinity College in downtown Toronto. CISS at Trinity is still a part of the CISS range of programmes, now styled for teenagers.

Since its foundation, CISS has successfully introduced and operated various language programmes and camps throughout Canada. In the 1990s, the company expanded and introduced placements in private and public high schools nationwide. Today we place hundreds of students annually into High School programmes for full year, one semester or short-term stays.

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Brands with shared values and mission

Our Brands

MLI (Muskoka Language International) and CISS (Canadian International Student Services) have a long-standing partnership of nearly 20 years. Our companies each share a passion for providing international students with top-quality transformative learning experiences in Canada. We have a tradition of successfully collaborating with complimentary product offerings for the under 18 years market. In fact, for the majority of our shared history, we have worked in the same offices, drawing on our collective knowledge and expertise.

In 2019, MLI marked its 25th year of operation and CISS marked its 40th anniversary. We proudly choose this monumental year to announce the official union of our two brands as one – CISS MLI.

Together, we are uniquely positioned as specialists in this market segment, offering the most comprehensive product opportunities for young students at any point in their learning journey. As a single organization, we now offer four product units – Summer Camps, Group Study Tours, Junior and Senior High School Placement, and Homestay Services.

Mission Statement

Mission, Vision & Values

We provide meaningful learning experiences across Canada for international students, local families, and our own team in their lifelong journeys of learning.

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CARE

The depth of our experience and empathy allows us to provide safe, supportive, and welcoming environments.

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CARE

The depth of our experience and empathy allows us to provide safe, supportive, and welcoming environments.

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INTEGRITY

Honesty, respect, and trust are at the foundation of all that we do.

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RELEVANCE

Our entrepreneurial spirit promotes transformative and goal-oriented experiences.

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RELEVANCE

Our entrepreneurial spirit promotes transformative and goal oriented experiences.

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RIGOUR

Preparedness and an informed approach drive our ongoing commitment to excellence.

Land acknowledgement

We acknowledge and give thanks to the land on which we live and work, and to the people who have cared for it.

Our team of staff, hosts, partners, and students all live, learn and work together, on traditional Indigenous territories that provide us our physical space, sustenance, safety, and community.

We respectfully acknowledge that our homes and workspaces on Turtle Island (North America) are located on the traditional, treaty and unceded territories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples

Indigenous Peoples share a sacred relation with this land. This land acknowledgment is the first step in learning about our history and taking action toward reconciliation.