What are the best high school student exchange programs?

High School Foreign Exchange Student Programs

• Answer:

  Overview High school students who wish to enrich their educational experience may opt to spend a summer, semester or year living and studying abroad. Many nonprofit organizations offer exchange programs for students who are at least 15 years old. In addition, the U.S. Department of State sponsors a variety of short-term exchanges for high school students. Youth Leadership Programs The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funds a variety of short-term exchange programs to help American and foreign high school students learn about civic responsibility, assist in community development, cultivate leadership skills and learn to understand and appreciate people from other parts of the world. More than 1,275 students have participated in these programs, which are organized by educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. Current programs include two-way exchanges with Poland, Serbia and nine countries in South America. Each program has its own qualifications and requirements; contact the ECA for details. U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Youth Leadership Programs 202-647-4000 exchanges.state.gov The Experiment in International Living This study and live abroad program gives high school students a chance to spend three to five weeks in one of 28 different countries. Participants travel together in small groups of no more than 15 students with a trained adult group leader. Besides learning the country’s language, they may also participate in community service, study the arts or work on ecological projects. They live with host families during their in-country visit. Programs are open to teens who have finished ninth through twelfth grades and have at least of year of language classes. Program fees vary by country and need-based financial aid is available. Experiment in International Living PO Box 676 1 Kipling Road Brattleboro, VT 05302 800-345-2929 experimentinternational.org/ ASSE International Student Exchange Programs The American Scandinavian Student Exchange (ASSE) was established in 1976 by the Swedish Government to coordinate cultural exchanges between the United States and Sweden. Throughout the years it has expanded to include programs in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and Latin America and the South Pacific. More than 30,000 high school students and host families participate in its programs each year. Besides year-abroad programs, it offers six week summer homestays and four week language institutes for high schoolers. Program fees vary by program but start at $4,450 for European summer homestays (2010 rates). To help defray the cost of living abroad, it offers several scholarship programs based on merit and need. To find out more information or apply for a program, complete the online application on the ASSE website. ASSE International Student Exchange Programs 10725 Boston Street Henderson, CO  80640 800-333-3802 asse.com Council on International Educational Exchange The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) has offered exchange programs since 1947. It has summer programs in Spain, Japan, China and France and high school semester- and year-abroad programs in 11 regions including Australia, South America, Europe and Asia. Students live with a host family and attend a local school. Fees vary greatly among the programs. For example, the summer program in China costs $7,495; the five month semester program in Germany is $8,295; and the 10-month academic year program in Australia is $12,545. Some scholarships are available for their programs. Scholarship and program applications can be downloaded from the CIEE website. Council on International Educational Exchange High School and Gap Year Abroad Programs 300 Fore Street Portland, ME 04101 800-40-STUDY Ciee.org