This new French school in Halifax is looking for English-speaking billets

The director of an international French school that has eight campuses in Canada says there's one thing that's missing from the school's portfolio.

"We're in all of Canada's regions, except for here in Acadia," Sylvain Olivier, the CEO of LIFPA Don Bosco Halifax, recently told Radio-Canada's La Mouvée in comments translated from French.

That will change this September with the opening of a location in Halifax, which will welcome students from ages five to 18, many from France.

In a region that's home to many Acadians, Olivier said that makes Nova Scotia a great place to open a school.

"They will come back to France talking about Acadia, because in France, they're not aware of it," he said.

The school had plans to open in Saint John, but that was cancelled at the beginning of this year.

While the instruction will be in French, the school is looking for English-speaking billets to help the students learn the language.

Ideal billet candidates

Olivier said the ideal candidates are families or retirees with a spare bedroom who can welcome the students into their homes and help them discover Halifax and other parts of the province.

"The idea is really to share in family life," said Olivier.

While the school aims to have 180 students in three years, it's anticipating 80 this year.

One of those students is Mélina Arthaud-Roulx, 15. She's never been to Canada, but is looking forward to meeting new people and learning about a new culture.

The resident of Aubagne in southern France said she doesn't know much about Nova Scotia, but sees that as a positive.

"It's good to go there because it's a place I'm not familiar with, so I'll get to discover new things," she told CBC News in French.

Arthaud-Roulx has already been lined up with a host family.

Olivier said the school will pay host families $800 per month, per student. Billets go through a vetting process and can sign up for three-, six- or 11-month sessions.