What is the best study abroad program?

Question

What is the best study abroad program?

Answer 1

If you are speaking about high school programs, the first thing you need to look at is it CSIET listed?? If not, stop right there. There is NO oversight at all. For example Two Worlds United has one of the worst reputations and is NOT CSIET listed. You can find a current list at www.csiet.org.

Generally, AFS, Aspect, YFU and Rotary tend to be reliable everywhere, with Rotary being the cheapest, but most competitive.

However, having said all of that, an exchange organization is really only as good as the local people you will work with. So, I highly recommend that you go to your high school counselor and ask for a recommendation as well.

For lots of information on the exchange experience, check out http://www.exchangestudentworld.com/. That's a site written by exchange students and includes diaries, photos and experiences.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Rotary is always considered good. It's also the one that I'm going through on a long-term program later this year. It's one of the cheaper ones. For my district it costs $3,900 to go and that includes visa, plane ticket, and a monthly allowance of $50-$100.

However, I'm not sure about other districts, but mine does not let you pick a specific country. Instead you pick 5 and they do their best to get you placement in one of them.

Also, you don't get one host family over the course of the exchange. You get three. You are required to change host families twice so that you get a more varied perspective.

But don't take my word for it. Do some research.

And while you're at it, do NOT go with Two Worlds United. They are very shady.

Answer 3

It depends on where you want to go. You can either go through a general study abroad program or a more selective regional one.

I used AustraLearn when I went to Autralia and not only were they really useful, but I was able to make a pit stop for $100 at either Sydney, New Zealand, Fiji, LA, or Hawaii for as long as you want.

So it depends on where you are going. Go for programs that offer incentives. Those are a lot better.

Answer 4

I really think AFS is a good program.  All the kids I know that have done it have really enjoyed the program and I am told it is one of the better foreign exchange programs.

www.afs.org

They also offer scolarships.

I am glad you are interested because it is a great way to understand another culture.