High School Exchange Programs
If you’re thinking about doing an exchange in high school, there are many different programs you can choose from. There are literally hundreds of different organizations that offer everything from semesters at sea to semesters abroad.
Although most of these programs are expensive, it’s not impossible to get partial or full scholarships for them. Below you’ll find just a few of the countless programs available to you as a high school student.
1) AFS Intercultural Programs – High School Exchange
AFS is one of the most reputable and oldest non-profit organizations. They’ve been organizing high school exchanges around the world since 1915. They offer both semester and full academic year programs to over 40 countries. They enroll you into your new school, set you up with a host family and provide support through out the whole process.
Unfortunately, many of these exchanges are expensive with a year long program in Japan costing 15,000$ and a semester in Costa Rica for 11,400$. Fortunately there are scholarship opportunities for a select number of programs. Check out the scholarship section. For more info about AFS, click here afsusa.org
2) Ocean Classroom – Semester At Sea
For those of you interested in becoming sailors, this is your program. As long as you’re not a freshman, you can apply for the semester at sea. Marine History, Navigation, and Maritime Science are just a few of the courses you can attend during your semester at sea. For more info, check out Ocean Classroom.
3) Quest International
Quest International is high school study abroad organization that is very similar to AFS. However, unlike AFS, they offer high school exchanges for 3, 5, and 9 months. Not only that but many of their prices are significantly cheaper, with a year long exchange to Brazil for just 5,300$. For more info, check out Quest International.
I love this post. So funny because Chris always told me you guys were friends in high school but you were never there for long because you were always running away ;) Looks like travel was meant to be for you!
Thanks!!! Haha, yup, it’s true :) Hope this guide helps some kids like me. That summer camp in Spain looks amazing! I wish I could still do that.
Hey man! Great post! I’m doing something similar myself at the moment, travelling in high school, except I go to an online school! It’s great, you wake up at 10, get on to your computer, sit in class for 3 hours (ish) and then homework, and then you’re as free as an albatross on a summer breeze. It’s a bit restrictive on when you can travel, normally I only move somewhere on a short holiday, but it’s entirely doable to hop on a plane on Friday, get across the planet by Sunday and not miss any school. I’ve done it. It’s a really really good system when you want to travel, although you do miss out on some things, as you said.
Anyway keep up the good work man!
Hey Joe, that’s awesome! I hadn’t thought about an online high school. Glad that’s working out for you!