How do I do a Work Exchange in France?

Where to go for exchange? Please help!?

• So..I just finished grade 9 at a round square school in the states, and i'm going on a school exchange for a term next year. My main choices are Peru, Switzerland or France, but I don't think France is going to work out. So, out of the first two countries: Peru - It's a school in Miraflores, Lima, called Markham College. They get a lot of exchange students, so they really know what to do with them - bring them to Machu Picchu, go hiking, to the beach etc. It's a day school, so I would stay with a host family. This wouldn't be a big deal, as I've done this before. The school in Switzerland is in the French part and it's called Aiglon College. It's a boarding school, and since I'm currently at a boarding school it wouldn't be a big adjustment. I am bilingual in English and French, and i have functional Spanish, which I will improve if I go to Peru. Anyway, if you go to either of these schools, or live in or have been to these countries, could you help me out? Which do you think would give me the best experience, what type of kids are at those schools and what kind of schoolwork or activities do they do? Also would I wear their uniform or my own, and if I went to Switzerland would I be able to travel around, ex. to Italy or France, or other parts of the country? thanks so much.

• Answer:

  I go to St. Stithians Girls College in South Africa (it's a round square school as well) and I'm currently in matric. Going to countries in the north isn't going to make your exchange worthwhile because they're lifestyle is very similar to the States (I was born there) so you should look into countries in the South or India. Peru would be an absolutely great experience, my friends brother went there for exchange and he loved it, the kids are very friendly, and the school work wouldn't be so different compared to yours. They're quite the party animals which is fun. It would be such a great oppurtunity to improve on your Spanish and Machu Picchu is pretty amazing. So you should consider Peru. Exchange is about expanding your knowledge about different cultures so India would be great to. It's also a boarding school type vibe, but India is really great because you become emmersed in the culture, I went there on a conference in grade 10. Australia would also be fantastic, they're a little judgmental but they take you everywhere in the country, from Tazmania to Syndey to Melbourne. Depending on which school you go to, it's either boarding or host family. Then of course there's South Africa. That's what I could tell you most about. We're friendly people and there's a lot to do here. The school work is a little challenging cause we go on a independent examinations board, but you're not expected to work hard and you have thje freedom of choosing the subjects you want at our school. There's no boarding so you'll stay with a host family and you'll probs end up wearing our uniform. Normally the host family takes you to like Cape Town. Or Sun City or the Kruger park. With Europe, it depends on the host family you stay with that might let you travel to other countries or no it really depends, but as I said again, Europe isn't ideal for exchange, its more for like holiday as opposed to exchange.