High School
This program is aimed for teenagers and consists of spending part of the academic year abroad. In the vast majority of countries high school goes up to 4th grade. Courses last from 3 months to 1 year. The programs can take place in both public and private schools. The start dates of the school year in the southern hemisphere countries (Australia and New Zealand) in the first semester is in February. In the northern hemisphere (USA, Canada, England and Spain), the school year usually starts in September.
Prerequisites
- Be between the ages of 13 and 18 (you cannot turn 19 during the program);
- The student must be mature, flexible and able to adapt to different cultures;
- Have good grades and have never failed a grade; and
- Have an intermediate/advanced level of knowledge in the language of the desired country, as assessed by certificates, proficiency tests or the school’s own test.
Study subjects
There are compulsory subjects such as mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics; and elective subjects such as languages (French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, etc.), theater, music and sports (tennis, rugby, swimming, soccer, etc.). Finally, there are also subjects that will guide the student's future professional life, such as engineering, architecture, mechanics, among others. It's worth noting that abroad, in general, there are no entrance exams. Students enter university directly after completing the 4th year of high school.
Education System Comparison
Some countries have an educational system where secondary school goes up to the 4th year. And some others it goes up to Year XII. So far the grades and years equivalence depending on the destination in descending order are: year XII, XI, X, and year IX, equivalent to the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st year in according to the educational system country.
Responsibility in the program
The high school program can be considered one of those that demands the most attention and responsibility. This is because it is a program for teenagers, minors, who stay abroad from medium to long periods of time. Some of the achievements of an exchange program are experiencing new cultures, interacting with students of different nationalities, gaining fluency in a second language, gaining maturity and independence, developing a sense of responsibility in relation to rules and limits, better understanding some of life's values. There's no doubt that a high school abroad is an unforgettable experience that changes the lives of students and their parents forever.
Accommodation
Another important point in this type of program is accommodation. For obvious reasons, this is one of parents' biggest concerns when it comes to exchange programs.
Family homes
Most high school exchange programs offer one primary accommodation option: homestay. Students live with local families who have a strong social and financial foundation and are experienced in hosting international students. Meals are included, and each student has a private room, though bathrooms are typically shared. Host families often welcome two or three students from different countries simultaneously, which helps foster cultural exchange and smooth adaptation. Many families also have children of a similar age to the students, further enhancing the integration process. Hosting exchange students benefits families as it exposes their children to other cultures and provides a financial incentive. To match students with suitable families, participants complete a detailed questionnaire about their preferences, such as hobbies, favorite foods, allergies, and special requirements. This helps ensure a good fit, making it easier for students to adjust to their new environment and fully enjoy the exchange experience.
Student residence
In some countries there are also accommodation options in student residences. In this case, the residences are in the schools themselves, and the teenager stays with several other students of different nationalities, in single, double or triple rooms, with private or shared bathrooms. For greater interaction between students, this type of accommodation also offers an interesting sports and leisure environment such as: games room, table tennis, sports courts, swimming pool, soccer field, among others. All residences have managers or supervisors who are responsible for the organization and safety of the students.
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