Foreign Exchange for Senior Year?

Question

Hi, I'm am in the end of my sophmore year in high school and I am thinking about being a foreign exchange student for my senior year. I wanted to do it for my junior year, but its too late for that.

So, the only problem is that I'm afraid of missing out on senior year things. I want to do fall semester in possibly Italy or Ireland. (I will have 4 years of Spanish by my senior year, but not wanting to go to Spain). But if I do a semester would I be missing out on the benefits of a full year of exchange? I just don't want to regret missing out on all of my senior year. I do want to do foreign exchange for sure though, because my senior year will be easy because I won't need very many credits since I'm ahead.

I want to go with Rotary since it's cheaper, but I think you have to go with Rotary all school year long. Am I right?

Please share any foreign exchange experiences you had (especially if you went to Italy! =] )

Thank you!

Answer 1

In my opinion, a semester is a perfect amount of time to go. You will not miss everything in senior year, and will still get the full benefits of the experience. Also, you will probably have a more interesting time aboroad than in your home town. Finally, I think Rotary does do semester exchanges.

Answer 2

Rotary has also a short term program. Or even just a summer program.

I personally think I would rather do the foreign exchange after you are done with your senior year. You will miss out on quite a few things. Usually those echanges are done during sophomore year and / or junior year.

Or do a foreign year exchange as a "leap year" betweek HS and college. That will be better.

Answer 3

save up a few thousand dollars, then start thinking about it.

Answer 4

Trust me, being abroad for your senior year would be WAY more exciting than anything that'd happen here. That WILL be your big senior year! You'll look back on it and think, "I had an AWESOME senior year!!" Do it. =)

Answer 5

Perhaps you could go after your senior year between high school and college.

My sister went on a foreign exchange the year after she graduated.  She attended classes in Vienna as if she were in high school completely submerged in the German language.  She went through AFS and went to Vienna, Austria.