cnp55

I'm looking for a total-immersion study abroad year (2007-8) for my current hs freshman son. He will be 16 this June and have completed 3rd level French with top grades.

He has been planning, for the past three years, to go on his own school's study abroad program -- inexplicably cancelled -- and I cannot go into the details here. I met with the head of his school yesterday -- not the person responsible for the cancellation -- and we were encouraged to locate an appropriate program on our own.

I have identified two possibilities -- EF Foundation (ef.com) based in Cambridge MA, and Two Worlds United based in Tampa FL.

Any feedback on either of these two? I'm looking for reputation and experiences.

We have ruled out the French boarding school route, and the School Year Abroad program offered by several prep schools. We're looking for a total immersion experience with a homestay, preferably in Provence.

calmom

My kids are AFS & YFU alumni if you have any questions; I think application deadlines are early March -- I know that both offer homestay programs in France.

ductTape

I think that most (if not all) of the study abroad programs out there don't really let you choose the region of your country (at least it's not guarantee). But your son should be able to get France in general. I think EF Foundation is good/OK, but definitely stay away from TWU (http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/study-a...ed-36786.html). Other good, reputable programs are Ayusa/Intrax, AIFS, ASSE, AFS, CIEE, and YFU. Check out the websites, compare prices/packages, call them up and figure out which you are most comfortable with. Sometimes different programs are better in certain countries. There is also Rotary Youth Exchange, where you only pay about $1000, but there's no guarantee you'll get your first choice country.

A good forum/website to look at is http://www.cultures-shocked.net/ , which has lots of people that know about high school exchange. Try posing your question over there and you'll get lots of answers.

suze

Why rule out SYA? My best friend did their year in Rennes and loved it. I visited and loved it!! It's the only program I know of where you can keep up rigorous academics.

While some think total immersion is necessary, I have to say everyone who went to SYA Rennes I know came back fluent. I went to SYA China with no background in the language and came back fairly fluent.

The thing that I think separates SYA is quality. All the kids in other programs were envious of the quality of our program and especially the quality of the families selected. Simply, the program has more money than the others and they takes students travelling throughout the country, have agreements with good local schools for activities and meals and hire university profs to teach many classes. All while keeping up with AP classes. And there's a ton of financial aid.

map

I don't have any experience with these programs, but I researched quite a few in searching for a program for my son. He'll be attending high school in Japan in June through AYUSA/Intrax.

During the course of my research I spoke with friends whose son had gone to a summer program in Japan two summers ago through Two Worlds United. His experience turned into a nightmare when his host family kicked him out midway through the program (for reasons that had nothing to do with him). My friends had nothing but terrible things to say about their dealings with the TWU people in addressing this situation.

mathmom

Why Provence? The rest of France is nice too. I spent a year here: http://www.institut-touraine.asso.fr/index-en.html

It might not be what you are looking for as you are studying French with other foreigners, instead of in a French high school.

cnp55

The program that my son had intended to join has been based in Provence for 40 years. There's no specific reason that we are looking for Avignon, Orange etc -- aside from that's where his current school has all their connections and we hope to be able to take advantage of some of them. Essentially, we want to replicate what his school program would have offered -- a total immersion French high school experience in Provence.

He is hoping to be able to join a local rowing club and continue his sport during his year abroad. This was all part of the plan until 10 days ago!

cnp55

SYA is for junior and senior year only, as I read their site. My son is an old freshman this year turning 16 in June 2007. He is taking 3rd yr french and honors geometry along with honors conceptual physics plus freshman english and ancient world history. I don't think SYA will take him next year ... and that's what he was promised by his school ... sophomore year ... and that's our plan if possible.

suze

I think the reason a lot of people love going junior year is because you get to be gone for what's usually the most stressful year of hs. Worked for me!

There's lots of advanced math offered in the program as many come from very competitive schools and are quite advanced. Some kids have also had many years of the language although you only need 2 years for France. There is a big range language wise so there are groups. Some kids arrived fluent.

I can't tell you how amazing SYA is. It really is worth a hard look. The France location, Rennes, is a wonderful medium sized city and a college town. 2 hours by train from Paris. The school is a beautiful old mansion. It's an affluent town and my friend and her fellow students had families that had second homes either on the coast of Brittany or Normandy or in Paris so they had experience in those towns too.

There's a great mix of kids from preps and publics and day preps. Lots of financial aid so there really was diversity.