<p>hey i was wondering if anyone on here knew of the most popular/highly regarded foreign exchange programs offered to high school students? i do not know which websites to trust. thanks.</p>
<p>It depends on the country you want to go
If Germany is your desired goal, there is an exchange programme hosted by the american congress together with the german bundestag, in germany the competition for it was fierce and it is quiet prestigious and cheap compared to other programmes [Congress-Bundestag</a> Youth Exchange Program](<a href=“http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/]Congress-Bundestag”>http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/)</p>
<p>A lot of times it depends on which country you want to go to. I went to Japan with Aspect Foundation. Unfortunately, I would not recommend them. </p>
<p>The difference between many companies is that large companies have offices here in the U.S. as well as in the country you are going to. Small companies often contract with other companies in the country you are studying in, so that you pay the US company and they take care of travel etc., and the foreign company prepares your school and takes care of you during your stay.</p>
<p>There are several reasons why I would recommend a large company over a small one:</p>
<p>Your US company and the foreign company of a small agency may have different rules, different opinions, etc. You may, like I often did, find yourself caught in the middle of the two bureaucracies for doing something one said was okay but the other did not.</p>
<p>One good thing about the money you pay these companies is that you have leverage over them. “Well I paid you so I really expect you to help me find a tutor,” etc. Oftentimes, the money you pay a small company does not reach the foreign agency, or the foreign agency is non-profit. This often results in the foreign company bullying you around, rather than you calling the shots.</p>
<p>Large companies have more recognition among principals/counselors of schools, so they have an easier time finding you a great school and getting what you want out of the experience. Small companies oftentimes tell students that things are not possible in exchange programs/education systems in your host country, when in reality it is just that the company doesn’t have enough clout.</p>
<p>I have faced all of these problems myself throughout my stay, but I have also talked to other exchange students and many have said the same things.</p>
<p>So, in summary of this long post: Bigger is better. You definitely want a company that runs its own offices abroad. A few suggestions:</p>
<p>AFS. They are one of the biggest (if not the biggest) exchange agency in the world. I know for a fact that they run their own agencies in most countries they send students to, if not all of them. They can be a bit more expensive than other agencies, but what you pay for is what you get.</p>
<p>Rotary Club. Talk to your local chapter, they send many students abroad each year on scholarships, and I have heard positive things about them. However, I am not sure as to whether they run offices abroad or not. I would ask them if you are interested. If you are looking to go abroad next year, it may be too late; I’m pretty sure they ask for applications during the very beginning of the year before you want to travel.</p>
<p>ASSE. I don’t know much about them, but I have heard some good talk about them. As far as I know, they are almost as big as AFS. You’d have to research them first.</p>
<p>Good luck, I hope you find the right company for your needs. =]</p>
<p>I have had very good experiences with AFS. I’ve had three different AFS students spend time at my house, never for more than a few weeks. We were a liaison family or a fill in family. Two of my daughters’ friends spent an academic year abroad through AFS and enjoyed it very much.</p>
<p>Other members of my family have had bad experiences with Youth For Understanding. The students who come to the U. S. through the Youth For Understanding have much less support than AFS provides. AFS is much more well organized.</p>
<p>AFS is awesome. You have so much support and it is really your money’s worth. I highly recommend it. I went to Turkey with them for a year and it was incredible.</p>
<p>I have a son at SYA France this year. Although it is pricey, it is well regarded. So too is Rotary for HS exchanges. Feel free to PM me with questions.</p>
<p>Nacel is good, too!
I’m in France now without a program at all… it can be a lot better because it’s way cheaper and unlike with programs like Rotary, Nacel, etc., there aren’t any weird rules, obligatory conventions, and I was able to go home for Christmas (other programs don’t let you).</p>
<p>I can only recommend AFS as that is the only organization I’ve had experience with but they’ve been great. I went on exchange with them, I’ve been a host sister, and now I’m a volunteer.
I don’t want to get into a debate but I can’t help but feel that SYA misses the whole point of exchange…</p>
<p>argh i feel like such an adult when I say this but : “weird rules” like not going home for Christmas are there for a reason. If you’re truly there to immerse yourself in a culture, spending time with your host family during Christmas can be a huge part of that, not to mention the homesickness after coming back from a trip to you home country…</p>
<p>haha no I know what you mean. But still, I found it helped me… I had already been in France for about 6 months (the length of a full stay for some people) and I was able to go home, finish applying to college, and come back much more refreshed and ready to profit from my stay (instead of being withdrawn and resentful… not like everyone would, but I might).</p>
<p>Anyways, whatever. Its just something to think about-- with a program, there are strict rules you have to follow, and its more expensive; however, it might be easier to get a visa and all that.
Without a program, it might be more confusing but you don’t have to answer to an organisation.</p>
<p>This summer I’m going to Portugal on a short term exchange with Rotary.
I highly recomend them(they’re amazing and afforable)
AFS(<a href=“http://www.afs.org)%5B/url%5D”>www.afs.org)</a>, ASSE(<a href=“http://www.asse.com)%5B/url%5D”>www.asse.com)</a>, and Youth For Understanding([Youth</a> For Understanding](<a href=“http://www.yfu.org%5DYouth”>http://www.yfu.org)) are also very good options.
Although do not go with TWU(two worlds unite) they are scam artists!! I haven’t heard anything good about this program(and I’ve heard a lot.)</p>
<p>My son is in France on a year abroad program from his high school. The high school runs this program and it’s not really an 'exchange". He attends a small independent day school in the US; in France he is in a large public high school.</p>
<p>He’s living in Provence with an awesome family and having an amazing time.</p>
<p>I went to Japan for the summer as an exchange student and I LOVED IT! The orientation and my stay in itself were amazing. I made so many new friends at the orientation even though we only spent like 3 days with each other. </p>
<p>YFU really provided us with everything we needed. I highly rec. them! Diego, a another exchange student at my high school in Japan, came through AFS and seemed well provided for, too!</p>
<p>I don’t know about how it works for US students wanting to study abroad (I heard they do that. But now I’ve read you had to be a in a member school),
but ASSIST (American Secondary School for International Students and Teachers) [<a href=“Web Page Under Construction”>http://www.assist-inc.org/][/url</a>] sent me on a scholarship to an American boarding school. And organization-wise, I have no complaints. Depending on which country you are from, you either get partial scholarship (I think it was around half for students from countries like Germany or Western Europe) or a full scholarship (Eastern-European countries)
Participating countries are:
Australia
Austria
Bulgaria
China
Croatia
The Czech Republic
Finland
Germany
Hungary
Lithuania
Moldova
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
Vietnam</p>
<p>And each I’ve been through this and all I can say is that you’re so well taken care of that sometimes you feel like it’s too much care for you! :pcountry should have their own office where a candidate can apply. Also, it’s quite prestigious since only like 130~ish students each year out of 1700~ish applicants get the scholarships =)</p>
<p>I’ve heard a lot of good things about AFS. Rotary is a lot cheaper, but stricter, more competitive, and less choice of country. </p>
<p>Now if only I could get my parents to let me go on one…</p>
<p>Two Worlds United is definitely a scam. They claim to go do an interview at your house but then suddenly cancel and do the interview over the phone. They then have you go to your target country, and that’s when you never hear from them again. So you’re basically in the middle of nowhere with nobody at that point, minus a few thousand dollars. It’s run by some guy named Carlos, who has quite the mouth. </p>
<p>People to People recently had a death, and it seemed to be by all means their fault.</p>
<p>Here is an online resource; csiet.org for info. There are more but this is a good place to start.</p>
<p>yeah csiet is definitely a good place to get information. Don’t go through any organization that isn’t approved by them. Within the United States they basically hold exchange organizations up to certain standards (monthly contact with students etc.)</p>
<p>Rotary is a good program. However, country selection depends on what your district offers. It helps if you’re in an area with a multi-district like ESSEX or the Florida Multi-district.</p>
<p>However, you aren’t guaranteed your top choice in country. In Florida we had to pick 5 countries and not rank the list and we got one of those countries depending on the commitees’ descision. I chose Japan, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Brazil and I got Brazil even though I really wanted Japan. Other districts may be stricter or not, it really depends on them.</p>
<p>It definitely helps that they are very volunteer-based. It helps keep the prices low. Also, they provide the students with a small monthly stipend worth about 50-150 USD, (the amount depends on the location since obviously more expensive areas would need more).</p>
<p>I am currently abroad in Slovakia under Rotary International! I love it! I know of students that have had trouble with the heavy rules, the language requirements and the fact that is is very competitive. But if money is an issue, they give wonderful schlorships and you will always have Rotary to call a second home! If you have questions, I’m here to help!</p>
<p>Thanks for the sites, I’ll have to check them out later.</p>
<p>Rotary x10. Already did it once and doing it again for a year in taiwan after high school.</p>
<p>Some people said “weird/strict rules.” Sure, they have a lot of strict rules but there is no enforcement of them and you’ll find you’ll just go along with the culture once you’re in the country anyways.</p>
<p>The great thing about rotary is that its 100% volunteer based so the family you’re with WANTS to do it not just for money (they are losing money doing it). It was a great experience for me.</p>
<p>But yeah, rotary owns.</p>