Saturday, September 1, 2012
How can I become a foreign exchange student?
How can I become a foreign exchange student?
I am a high school student, going into 10th grade. I live in America and would like to travel to either England, Australia, Canada, or possibly Sweden in 2011 or 2012. I am an overall good student, and would like to spend a semester in another country. I'm trying to look into it but there are so many programs and they can be confusing. Also, I don't know which ones to trust. Which would be the cheapest option, and how would I go about getting started, and getting information? Help!
Studying Abroad - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
The best orgs are the big three - AFS, YFU, and Rotary.
2 :
Going on exchange is an amazing experience! I applaud your interest in it. YFU (Youth For Understanding), AFS, and Rotary are frequently called "the big 3" when it comes to exchanges - long histories and good reputations, although a few others are making their way up that list. Please forgive my bias towards YFU - it's the one that I have direct experience with (I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer). I am gaining indirect experience by corresponding with former students. When I have asked exchange students why they chose YFU, I get the following answers: (1) YFU gave them more bang for their buck and/or (2) someone they knew and trusted recommended YFU. 95% of the fees collected by YFU go for direct program costs (airline tickets, support in hosting country, etc.). YFU has been around for almost 60 years and has learned how to make exchanges successful. If you choose another organization, please make sure that it is is listed with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (csiet.org). They routinely audit programs for quality. While it is possible that a good organization is not listed with them, it is less likely and I would advise doing more research on anyone that is not listed with them. Also be careful about choosing the "cheapest" - choosing the exchange organization should look at all of the factors - not just price. I encourage you to check out the links below, especially the one that gives contact information for former YFU students. Good luck to you no matter what you choose!!
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