How to be a High School Exchange Student
Our experiences abroad are invaluable in shaping our views of the world. Many people wait until college to leave the country to study abroad-- but those with itchy feet can start their experiences in high school. Many programs offer high school study abroad opportunities for full school years, semesters and summers.
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Instructions
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Getting there
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Decide where you want to go and how long you want to go for. Make a list of a few countries you'd be interested in going to -- many exchange programs request that you choose a few top contenders, as they can't always guarantee placement in your top choice country. Going for a year allows for the best cultural immersion, but summer- and semester-long programs also exist.
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Type "high school exchange program" into your Internet browser. The search should yield a plethora of results.
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Evaluate the various programs carefully. How much do they cost? What are their evaluation processes for host families? What kind of support do they offer to exchange students? Do they have orientation programs and a large support network in the country you want to travel to?
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Send in your application. This will usually include a personal essay, so you should be sure to emphasize the reasons you think the program should send you abroad. You should also express your personal interests (and personal history, if it exists) in the country you'd like to go to. The application will also most likely ask for your high school transcript. Of course, it helps if you have a good academic record.
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After sending in your application, you will probably be contacted for a personal interview. Often, a representative from the exchange program comes to your home to speak with your family. It's best if the members of your family are home to express their support for your decision to go abroad. Put your best face forward and be sure to show passion about the country you want to go to. If you've started learning the language and have a demonstrated interest in the country, it will definitely be a plus.
After Being Accepted
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Learning the language of your target country, if you haven't already studied it. Even if you can't speak conversationally when you get there, knowing key phrases will show that you're up for a challenge and ready to learn.
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Familiarize yourself with the country's history and culture.
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Know that you're in for a big change in your life and prepare yourself for the first few months. It can be very difficult to adjust to living with a new family in a country where you don't speak the language very well. Many exchange students become homesick and want to leave after only a few weeks. If you're going for a full year, make sure you give yourself at least three months to adjust. You probably won't regret it.
Financing the Trip
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Exchange programs can be very expensive. Look into the scholarship opportunities your exchange program provides. If you have a good academic record, there's a good change you can get a scholarship to cover some of the costs.
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Look into other scholarship sources. Some private foundations will provide grants to cover study abroad costs.
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If you have a job at home, you should spend the time before you go saving up for traveling abroad. While you'll be living with a host family and won't be paying for meals, you'll want to have money to go out with your new friends.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you thoroughly check into any program that you are offered. Research it, and make sure to enlist the help of a parent in making sure it is a legitimate and safe company.
Don't get in any situation where you don't have multiple ways of contacting your parents at home.
