What are some easy and helpful studying tips for highschool?

How can I take the financial burden off studying abroad?

• Im a junior in highschool and ive been researching for weeks about highschool study abroad programs. I really really want to go for a spring semester my senior year, but every program ive looked at is so expensive! AFS and CIEE semester programs practically cost just as much as the year long programs. Ive checked into rotary, but they only sponser year long programs. I can't think of anything that I want to do more then this, but im beginning to loose hope! ahh, most scholorships seem to be for college students. Any tips or advice on anything pertaining to studying abroad in highschool would be awesome. I love hearing stories to!! Muchos gracias.

• Answer:

  Hi there! I've been employed with AFS for a few months now, and I have to say this organization is fantastic and totally worth paying for. Some things to think about, your parents already spend thousands of dollars a year on raising you. While you will still have many of the same costs, many of them won't accrue for your parents for the time you are away. Take food for instance. That should provide about a $1000 reduction right there! Now imagine the figures for sports costs, gas (either in your own car or from your parents driving you around), car insurance, camps, art supplies, you name it. So ask your parents to consider giving you a monthly allowance while you're away. It will most likely still be less than what they are paying for you now. And raising the money for your tuition can be much easier than you think. Get a job, work for your neighbors if you're too young, save your allowance, ask for donations through sponsor an AFSer, make crafts to sell. Be creative and committed and nothing can stop you! AFS offers free online information sessions and there is one specifically geared towards fundraising. I'll include some links below to help you out. Also, all AFS scholarships are for high school students. And can I put in a plug for going for a whole year verses just one semester? I recently returned from a university year abroad in Germany, and let me tell you, it took me all of 5 months to adjust to being there. And I was soo happy when I came to that point and still had 7 months left. Those months were the best of all, the experience would have been maybe a quarter of what it was if I had left after one semester. The reason the costs are almost the same is because most of the cost comes from organization and travel; the time you are on the ground in between doesn't add much. Also, here's what you get with AFS that you wouldn't get through a private exchange or many other exchange services: 1. A support structure, before, during and after your exchange. No matter what your question or concern is, there are people to help you out every step of the way. Local volunteers, both in your home area and wherever you'll be abroad, will be there for you if you ever need them and will check in with you just to make sure that your experience is everything that you want it to be. 2. International travel costs and secondary medical coverage. These are huge out of pocket expenses and are absolutely essential to your abroad experience. 3. Placement with a thoroughly screened and reputable host family. No opportunity for scams here. And AFS does all the behind scenes work so you can focus on preparing yourself for this life changing experience and not worry about figuring out who you are going to live with. AFS is committed to finding the best fit for you and they have the experience to know what questions to ask and who to trust. 4. Orientations! Pre-departure, gateway, and post-experience orientations are super valuable to helping you hit the ground running, and in the right direction! Figuring your way around in a foreign culture is a daunting task, even for the well traveled. Give yourself a break and let the experts help you out! 5. Reputation. AFS is internationally recognized and what this could mean for you is a greater chance of receiving credit from your high school, which is super valuable if you want to graduate on time. Also, colleges know AFS. Stand out on your applications! And progressing in a foreign language can translate as fewer college requirements to fulfill and thus less tuition to pay! 6. AFS is a not-for-profit organization working towards a more just and peaceful world through intercultural exchange. They are not out there for you money; they are here to enrich your life and make the world a better place. Everything that AFS does it to set you up to get absolutely the most out of your experience as possible; I wouldn't recommend going any other way. Wow, that was a lot, but I hope you found it helpful. And I hope you find some way to go abroad, even if it isn't with AFS. It is an amazingly valuable experience.