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Benefits of a High School Exchange

A new country, a new culture and new people waiting for you

Why join a high school exchange program?

On a high school exchange, you get a unique chance to experience the world on your own, but with the help of a local support network. A new country, a new culture awaits you – you just have to decide where in the world you want to go.

You will:

  • become more mature and confident
  • learn many new life skills
  • learn a language
  • make new friends
  • join a new family
  • live life like a local
  • have fun!
Student with host family in front of mountain

What will the student exchange experience look like?

A high school exchange program typically starts in August/September and ends in May/June, so you are away for approximately 10 months. Or you can choose one of our shorter programs for 5, 3 or 2 months. It takes maturity to adapt to a new life on a high school exchange. You will face challenges away from your natural support network in the UK, but if you are open-minded and ready to throw yourself into the experience and be challenged, then a student exchange program with MyEducation is the perfect way to grow.

You must seize every opportunity while you are away. These opportunities never come again. A high school exchange will challenge you in ways you have not been challenged before, so you need to be ready to be brave and tackle the experience head on.  You will come home from a high school exchange with life skills that will benefit you for the rest of your life. You will have grown as a person and broadened your horizons.

We live in an international world where there is a demand for people who think, feel and act internationally. It is not enough to be fluent in a foreign language, you must also have insight into the culture of other countries. This is not something you can read about, it has to be experienced firsthand, and this is what a high school exchange will offer you.

Girls on high school exchange after running a race

New family, new friends and new acquaintances

In addition to coming home as a more mature and independent young person, you will also have gained a new family, new friends and a great knowledge of a different culture.

Your host family will open their home to you on a voluntary basis. Without volunteer host families no high school program could exist. Host families come in all shapes and sizes. You must be open-minded to what your host family will look like. What matters is how you feel together.

You will join a new school and here you will meet new friends. But friendships do not come easily. You must make an effort to start these new relationships and build them. If you are open and dare to put yourself out there, you will be rewarded with friendships and memories for life.

In addition to expanding your network, you also become part of a new culture. To get the best out of your host family, school and community, you must learn to do things their way. It will give you a better understanding and tolerance of people’s differences – something that you will benefit from for the rest of your life.

Should I apply soon?

As it is not a simple decision to join a high school exchange program, you can start the process as early as you want. Your first step is to complete a pre-application form and attend a non-binding information session with one of our staff. Do not wait too long, because there are strict age restrictions on when you can join an exchange. We don’t want you to miss out.

Some of our countries also have quotas for how many exchange students they can accept each year, which may mean that a destination could sell out. In general, the earlier you apply, the sooner we can begin the search for your host family and school enrolment.

Join a free high school exchange information session