High School Exchange in Australia - Public Preferred
Australia - A Land of Adventure
Why choose Public Preferred for an exchange to Australia?
In addition to the classic high school exchange program in Australia, MyEducation also offers Australia – Public Preferred, the program on which you choose where you want to go to school and live. You simply select which state you would like to live in, e.g. Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, etc. Then you tell us about any specific subjects or sports you would like to pursue or other special requests, and we will find the school(s) that meet your wishes.
In Australia’s classic high school exchange program, the Australian government strictly regulates the number of students allowed to enter the country. As a result, we are limited in the number of students we can send to Australia each year. However, this does not mean that you have to give up on the idea of traveling to Australia as an exchange student. The Public Preferred program allows more students to travel to Australia as this program is not limited and also allows you to choose where in the country you go. Therefore, anyone with an ‘Aussie’ dream can still fulfil it.
Make choices about your program on Public Preferred
On the Public Preferred program, you can make the following choices:
- Program Length
- Where in the country you want to live
- What type of school you want to attend
- Specify the subjects or extra curricular activities you want to access
With so much choice, you can ultimately tailor-make the program you want. You can choose to go away for 3, 5 or 9 months, or even 11 months if you want to complete a full academic year. You are not restricted by geographical location. You can decide what state or even what city/town you want to live in. Do you want to live by the sea on the tropical Queensland coast? Or experience the urban wonders of Melbourne or Sydney? Or enjoy the quieter but just as intriguing country life in Tasmania? You decide.
Regarding your school, you choose your school. You can opt for a single-sex or mixed-sex school. You can also focus on finding a school that meets your needs. If you are a budding scientist or a designer or if you want to pursue drama or certain sports, you can decide which school best matches your requirements.
On the Public Preferred high school exchange program to Australia, you are in control and you decide what will suit you best.
Please note that the preferred programme prices subject to change.
Support while in Australia
MyEducation works with an Australian organisation to set up your placement with a school and host family. When you arrive in Australia, your school will primarily manage your program and support. You will have access to a staff member 24/7 who is there to help you settle in and discuss any issues that need attention. Our Australian partner organisation will also be there to support and guide you as you need.
How do you choose a school?
To join the Public Preferred program you will proceed with an application package just like any other student. MyEducation will guide you through the process and help you to write a strong application. Based on your preferences we will provide you with a list of schools to choose from. With your application you will choose the state you want to live in and list 3 schools in order of priority.
Once you are accepted onto the program, MyEducation will send your application to the partner in Australia who will present your profile to the schools you have chosen, as well as the Education Department for that state. Both will review your application and, once approved, you will receive an Offer of Place and then the final enrolment at a school will be started.
The school will then work within the local community to secure you a host family. Once the placement is complete you will be presented with the full information about your stay and you can begin communicating with your host family.
Queensland - the sunshine state
Price £TBC
Queensland stretches up the north east coast of Australia. It is known for its beautiful warm weather, fabulous beaches and the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches over 2,300km. However, it is also home to fantastic inland scenery and the Daintree Rainforest, which is the world’s oldest rainforest. You can scuba dive on the reef, go whale watching in Hervey Bay, visit Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island, meet the pademelons in the Daintree, and explore the great cities and towns of Cairns, Brisbane and Townsville. Queensland really is a tropical paradise.
ACT - Centre of Government
Price £TBC
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is the location of the capital, Canberra. Canberra is home to the Australian Federal Government as well as a plethora of museums, Lake Burley Griffin and the Botanic Gardens. ACT has the Namadgi National Park which houses kangaroos and 800-year-old Aboriginal paintings. You can go hot air ballooning or whitewater rafting in the Murrumbidgee River. If you love nature or politics or museums, then this is the place for you.
South Australia - the festival state
Price £TBC
South Australia is home to Australia’s third largest island, Kangaroo Island, where you can relax in nature with the kangaroos and even see a penguin on the beach. Visit the stunning Barossa Valley or gaze at the majesty of the Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park. The capital of the state is Adelaide. A small city which is framed by beaches and hills. It has a small-town, almost quaint feel, but it is home to 77% of the state’s population. There is plenty to do in Adelaide as it is home to museums, the zoo, markets and plenty of shops.
Tasmania- a curious island
Price £TBC
Tasmania is an island south of Australia that is 3 times larger than Wales. The capital is Hobart, the second oldest city in Australia. Originally, Hobart was a penal colony to which the English colonial rulers sent criminals. The state has a small, temperamental animal, the Tasmanian Devil, which lives in underground caves. The nature is very varied and there are several national parks, including Mount Field and Cradle Mountain. Challenge yourself to complete the Overland Track or wonder at the beauty of the Bay of Fires in Tasmania.
Victoria - the education state
Price £TBC
As the capital of Victoria, Melbourne has been voted the most liveable city for seven years by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The city is a cosmopolitan paradise with the beautiful river, Federation Square, Luna Park and much more. Melbourne is a foodie playground with many fantastic restaurants and food markets such as Queen Victoria Market. Outside of the city the state boasts the Yarra Valley, the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles. You can see the penguins on Philip Island and experience nature in Gippsland and explore the beaches and historical towns.
New South Wales - the first state
Price £TBC
Western Australia - the road trip state
Price £TBC
Western Australia covers the entire western third of Australia. It is vast, but not overpopulated, and it offers great contrasts for exploration. From the Pinnacles to the Karanjini National Park, from the inland mining towns to the beautiful city of Perth, there is a great amount of variety in Western Australia. You can tour the botanic gardens or the museums or take a ferry to Rottnest Island to see the quokkas. The stunning, crystal-blue Indian Ocean frames this state and provides sensational sunsets everyday.
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