High school student exchange?

Question

I live in the U.S., and I would really like to become an exchange student in another country. I'm interested in Europe, but I think Australia/New Zealand or South America would also be fun. Are there any countries in particular you would recommend, in regards to safety, cultural experience, the people, money needed, etc.? Also, the only language I've taken is Latin. I'm willing to take another language such as French, Spanish, or German with a tutor or a certain program, but does this make a difference in where I should travel to?

What programs do you recommend? I've looked at Rotary, YFU, CIEE, Intrax, ASSE, PAX, and Aspect. Also, on top of the fee it lists on the website, how much spending money am I going to need? I'd like to spend the least amount of money as possible, on both the trip fee and spending money.

Thanks to anyone who can help!

Answer 1

If I had to do it all over again today I would chose the Dominican Republic. They speak spanish there. They are very welcoming and warm to exchange students. I spent a year in Venezuela in 1992-1993. It was the best unfortnately things are not so steady there right now due to President Chavez. I have hosted two students from the Dominic Republic and knew of a girl who had the best time that was in the usa and spent a year there. I went through AFS. Rotary is good but in general every country is different you don't stay with the same family the whole year. I would try to bring as much as you can but at least 100 dollars a month. Don't forgot you want to go on trips and see things on some of your off time and many programs offer at least one trip to go somewhere special. In Venezuela it was the Grand Sabana/Angel Falls. To this day I use my spanish I learned on a daily bais and am very valuable to my employer. I work as a labor and delivery nurse. My patients are always grateful to see me. Good luck it will be a life changing experience.

Answer 2

Rotary and AFS are by far the best programs out there. I see you didn't mention AFS so here's a link to their website: http://www.usa.afs.org/usa_en/home

Australia and New Zealand are awesome. When I was choosing what country I should go to, they were my top choices but then I decided I didn't want to got there because I wanted to learn a new language. So I guess what country you choose is based on what you want to get out of your exchange.

As for spending money it's nice to have between $100-$200 a month, depending on the currency exchange rate for the country you go to.

Also here is a VERY helpful forum for exchange students: http://www.cultures-shocked.org/forum/?

Just so you know, I'm going to be an exchange student in 2009-2010. You can email me if you have any other questions.

Answer 3

The best of all the programs is School Year Abroad (SYA). It offers far more support in the countries than other programs and allows you to keep up the type of rigorous high school program colleges want. It's the most expensive of the programs but if offers generous financial aid if you have need. Google it for details. Everyone I know that went call it the best year of their lives.

Spending money would be similar to what you spend at home. On SYA you eat 2 meals everyday with your host family and one at school. Money is just for going out with friends. Europe is pricey now, but you really don't need to spend much.