Experiencing another country firsthand can be a great way to learn all about another culture as well as to improve your grasp of a foreign language.
For years now, various foreign exchange student program offerings have been helping students from all over the world to do just that while offering host families the chance to learn just as much from their guests as the students do from them.
How does a Foreign Exchange Student Program Work?
There are a number of different organizations that match students with host families in various different countries but the way they all basically work is very similar.
Many of those entering a foreign country are still in high school in their homeland or studying online for their GED, and by becoming a foreign exchange student they will get to experience how other kids are educated by attending the school where their host family lives.
The length of time a foreign exchange student remains with their host family in another country can vary from as little as a month to as long as a year.
The host family for an international exchange student program rarely ever receives payment for allowing a student to stay in their home; it is usually a purely voluntary choice. Some families have participated in these programs for years, playing host to dozens of different youngsters over the years.
Where to Begin Looking for Foreign Exchange Student Program Offerings
You can contact your school for advice but there are also some pretty good online sites that offer help and contact information. Online education has also come a long way and is an efficient way of exploring the world for many students. In a way, we can say that online education has helped with globalization.
There are a number of different organizations that have been arranging for US students to head abroad as foreign exchange students for years. In Canada, students who have obtained their CAEC (the new Canadian Adult Education Credential that replaced the GED in May 2024) also qualify for foreign students exchange programs.
Here are a few of them that are worth checking out if you or your child are interested in the idea of participating in a foreign student exchange program or if you are intrigued by the idea of becoming a host family. Another plus is that you can (if you wish) continue your studies online from wherever in the world you are.
Organizations
ASSE – This organization has been around since 1938 when it was formed to foster better relations between Swedish and German students. If you’re not sure what to do, just contact them and ask for help. You definitely have your unique talents and that’s what they’re there for, right?
After years of arranging exchanges all over Europe, ASSE became active in the US in the 1970s. Millions of students from all over the world have participated in ASSE foreign exchange student programs and more continue to do so every year.
Ayusa – Ayusa is a newer player in the foreign exchange student world – they were founded in 1980 – but they have quickly become one of the leading organizers for trips for US students to various points across the globe.
They have foreign exchange student programs set up in Spain, France, Japan, China, Italy, and Costa Rica and they are extending their reach all the time. You can get more information at their website at ayusa.org
American Field Service – American Field Service offers year-long foreign exchange student programs to high school kids from across the United States.
While students are abroad, they attend secondary or high schools in the area in which they are living, really getting a chance to immerse themselves in another culture. You can find out more by visiting afs.org
