Forign exchange student!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!?

Question

Alright need some kind of program that gets students over here from Cote D'Ivoire. how do i get my school in to it? how can i get them over here? how much will it cost? last year we had two girls from different countries.please help! what website can i go to? Cote D'Ivoire is in Africa. near nigeria. westside of Africa. i need info!!!!! i want a certain person over here for school how do i that????

Answer 1

First, it's best to find an exchange organization that will work with the Ivory Coast. Try the big ones -- AFS, YFU, Rotary. Then the student needs to be accepted AND, if you want guaranteed placement in your school, a host family needs to be found. It's VERY important that the program be CSIET certified. If not, chances are good your high school will not allow it. These program are expensive, but most organizations offer scholarships to students. Your high school will not charge an exchange student who goes through a certified program. A good plan would be to check with your counselor for programs already operating in your school. I highly recommend looking into Rotary for your friend.

There is an alternative to finding a program. Your friend can come over on an F1 visa. Problem there is a financial guarantee is required AND there is a very good chance that your school will charge tuition on top of that! The financial guarantee could be upwards of $20,000! And, there is no guarantee your school will accept the student. Many schools don't want to hassle with it. Add to that, no support for the student AND he/she will also have to add travel costs and insurance -- both of which are covered under traditional exchange programs.

You have an additional problem in timing. If your friend wants to come over next year, be aware that many schools close their acceptance windows for exchange students in June or earlier.

I wish you luck with this one -- it's a tough road!

Answer 2

Well, if you already know someone, which is how I understand your question, it's rather simple.  you don't really NEED  an organization...  I went to Germany for a year without an organization.  The benefits to an organization however, is that is provides you with a support group and takes care of some of the more complicated arrangements.  By yourself, you have to make sure the exchange student will be accepted into a school, and that they will be allowed to live with the host family.  After that, you need a visum to allow them to enter and remain in the country for educational purposes.  Then you can get airline tickets, etc.  Oh!  Also make sure they are covered by some sort of medical insurnace.  That's another thing the organization usually arranges, but you can do it yourself.