ISE program? Is this the only way?

Question

Hello,

I'm trying to apply for a student visa. I'm not from USA but I'd like to make a High School in the US.

I've been researching about it and I found ISE program ( International Student Exchange).

But I'm only 14 and my parents won't let me stay and live with a host family. They said to me that if I want to study in the US, they must go with me.

I know it's hard, specially after the 2001 attack. The Embassy is more restrict and most of the time don't permit the entry.

Can anyone give me more info and say how can I study in the USA?

I'd like to be a citizen too.

Note: My uncle and his family is already US citizens. Will this help me?

Thanks! And honestly...

Eddie!

Answer 1

There are a couple of ways to accomplish this. The best way is through a recognized exchange student program. You will have to be 15 by the time school starts (16 for some schools). The program will handle all of your travel, medical insurance, help with your visa, etc. In fact, if you come from an Muslim or former Eastern European country (guessing this from your question) you can even get special programs (FLEX and YES).

These are the programs that would traditionally place you with a host family. However, the programs also have what is known as "direct placement." That means if you have a family in the U.S. willing to host you, and they qualify as a host family, you can be place there. So, you could go to your uncle. This would have nothing to do with your family. They wouldn't be there.

Your other option is to go and live with your uncle. This is much more difficult because you would have to have a different sort of visa AND get special permission from the school to accept that visa. Many public schools will not admit students under these visas because it involves much extra paperwork.

A couple of programs to look at:

AFS http://www.afs.org/afs_or/home

YFU http://www.yfu.org/

This will explain the special programs:

FLEX http://exchanges.state.gov/education/cit...

YES http://www.yesprograms.org/

Answer 2

One way is for your uncle to adopt you. He can do that before the age of 16. You will have to carry his last name. Another way is just wait until you're finished with high school. Select a college you would like to attend in the U.S. and move here for school. You should be able to get a U.S. F1 visa from the U.S. Embassy in your country to attend school here for 4 years then apply for a work permit upon graduation. The U.S. government allows students to work in the U.S. for 3 years for science majors(biology, chemistry, Computer Technology) and 1 year for any other major. If you work well with the company they might sponsor your H1B visa that extends your work permit.

Answer 3

You could live with your uncle, if your parents would let you or if you really want to come here, then let your parents come.