Explore The World In An Exchange Student Program

High school students have a fantastic opportunity to live abroad for a year. They will experience a different way of life and learn to speak a foreign language fluently. Each student will also share a part of their culture with the host family. Friendships can develop and endure for life when a student participates in a foreign exchange student program.

To be considered a foreign exchange student you must be at least 15 years old and 18-1/2 years old or younger. Depending on the program, there may be an initial application followed by a full application or just a full application. Most programs require interviews with the student, a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and at least two years of language instruction. The exchange program wants to make sure that the students who they allow into their program will be the best representatives for the program and the country from which the student is sent.

While in the host country, the exchange student is required to comply with some rules. They must attend school and participate in extra-curricular activities. They must follow the house rules of their host family. Participation as a member of the family, not a house guest, is also required. This includes doing the student's share of chores.

The student must also agree not to drive while in the host country. Neither can the student return to their home country for a visit. The student must also stay within the borders of the state that his or her family lives in. Exceptions can be made with permission of the host program if the host family is going on vacation to another state, for instance. If the student does not follow the rules and continues to break the rules even after being warned, the host program can send the student home early.

In general, exchange programs give the students a choice of the country and situation they would like to live in. Some allow choice of the particular region of the country and choice of rural, suburban or urban areas. The student must agree that his or her preferences may or may not be fulfilled and that they may be placed anywhere in the host country where a family can be found.

What kind of people can be a host family? The answer is any kind of person can be a host family if the person, if single, or family unit is accepted to work with the program. All members of the family over 18 years old must submit to a background check and meet other criteria established by the program. After the student is accepted by the family and the family by the student, programs encourage both to start building a relationship even before the student arrives.

A foreign exchange student program gives both students and host families a life-changing experience that they will always remember. Relationships that the student establishes with the family and other people in the host country can last a lifetime.

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