About High School Foreign Exchange Programs
If you are a high school student who is interested in experiencing a new culture while studying abroad, a high school foreign exchange program can provide you that opportunity.
These programs have been around for a number of years and are growing in popularity. It is important to have some background about high school foreign exchange programs and compare what they have to offer before making a final decision.
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History
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During the time of World War I and II young Americans volunteered to serve as ambulance drivers for the American Field Service (AFS). After devoting their time to assisting the injured on the battlefields, these young Americans returned home to the states with a desire to encourage understanding and peace.
AFS Cultural Programs was established on the premise that the best way to encourage understanding and peace among individuals from different countries and cultures is to actually experience life together.
The first foreign exchange programs occurred in 1947 with 52 students from 11 different war- torn countries. Over the years many foreign exchange programs have been developed, but the AFS Cultural Program along with Youth for Understanding (YFU) remain the most respected.
Function
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The function of a high school foreign exchange program is to coordinate an experience for a student which allows them to experience life in a country other than their own. Through this experience students enrich their lives and walk away with a better understanding and respect for other cultures. Students between the ages of 15 to 18 who have a good grade point average and a desire to experience a new culture are allowed to apply to become a foreign exchange student.
Once the student's application is made, a student representative associated with a foreign exchange program will guide the entire process from aiding in completing the necessary paperwork, to finding a loving host family, and ensuring successful transition and completion of the foreign exchange student's studies in the new school.
Some foreign exchange programs run an entire school year where others last for only one semester. The location the foreign exchange student is traveling to and the length of time being spent there determines the cost of the program and financial aid is available. -
Time Frame
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Normally the application process to participate in a high school foreign exchange program is initiated 4 to 10 months in advance of leaving. Time is devoted to collecting paperwork, interviews, documents for traveling, and matching the student up with an appropriate host family.
Misconceptions
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There are numerous misconceptions associated with high school foreign exchange programs especially when it comes to hosting a student. One such misconception is that the host family is required to speak the same language as the student. This is not true: the truth is that the student must be able to speak the same language as the host family.
Another misconception is that the host family acts as the exchange student's legal guardian. If the foreign exchange student needs medical attention the host family may be required to make important decisions, but otherwise the student's foreign exchange program is legally responsible for them and their parents remain their guardians.
Finally, as some may mistakenly think, host families are not expected to incur huge out of pocket expenses for the daily living of the student while hosting, the foreign student's parents provide that.
Warning
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Be sure that the student foreign exchange program you choose has been approved by Council on Standards for International Educational Travel(CSIET). Additionally, a high school guidance counselor can offer advice about different reputable student foreign exchange programs. If you happen to choose a program that is not approved by CSIET, you may not receive high school credits for the classes you take while abroad (see Resources).
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