What is the Exchange Student Cost?

How much would a summer abroad as a foreign exchange student cost (roughly)?

• I was going to be a foreign exchange student this Semester, but my dad lost his job so we couldn't do it. But my dad has new job, not as much money of course, but I am still dieing to do this before I graduate. How much would a summer abroad cost (like an estimation) I know it is cheaper than an entire semester. Advice please? So Appreciated!! (I will give 10 points!!)

• Answer:

  The cost will depend on the program, country, length of stay, and whether or not you get a scholarship. I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer with YFU (Youth For Understanding), so I can share information about our program. There are other programs that are good, but when I've asked other exchange students (both coming to the USA and leaving the USA) why they chose YFU, they basically said it's because they got more bang for their buck. (95% of the fees go directly to program costs - only 5% to overhead.) Short answer to your question: to go on a summer program with YFU will cost around $7000-$8000. (Semester and year are more expensive, but the largest cost is in supporting the hosting country, finding a host family, and getting you there. These costs don't change much whether you're there for a month or a year.) Before you completely freak out, there are some excellent scholarships available. I have a friend here in Cheyenne (WY) whose daughter went to Japan for 6 weeks (by the way, she didn't know a single word of Japanese) with a scholarship so the entire trip cost her about $500. Her mother joked that while her daughter was away, she didn't have to feed her, run her around town, etc., and therefore was making money. She was exaggerating a bit. You can make your exchange student application contingent upon getting a scholarship - in other words, if you don't get a scholarship, you don't have to pay the full application fee and most certainly not the tuition. Check out the website for details. Regardless of which program you choose, make sure they are listed with the Council for Standards on International Exchange Travel (csiet.org). They routinely audit organizations for quality. Good luck you and your family!