Exchange student candidates must be outgoing, self-confident, friendly, adaptable, and adventurous, willing to learn a foreign language, with above average grades in school. The application form will require you to tell about yourself, your family, and provide references from school teachers and/or administrators.
Who are they?
Exchange students
Long Term Program
During the long term program participants attend high school, and may or may not get credit back home for courses taken; but colleges often recognize the value of exchange programs, with college credits of up to 14 hrs. given for language ability, life skills and cultural adaptation, exchange students usually have greater college acceptance rates!
While on the year program exchange each student could have up to three (or more) host families throughout the year, to broaden the experience and see the variations that exist in all cultures. It takes a very special individual to consider him or herself capable of spending a year abroad, but the rewards and experiences are unlike anything you may ever know again. If you think you can do this, don't let the opportunity pass you by.
Its not easy or simple being a Long Term Exchnage Student.
Summer Program
Typically, you would spend 3-4 weeks overseas with a family that has a son or daughter of approximately your same age. And then, you and your new host sibling would come back to the US for a 3-4 week stay with your family (the order can be reversed, with the foreign student coming here first - whichever works best for the families is usually fine).
The short-term program does not generally include school attendance, and instead provides its educational experiences through exposure to a new language and culture. Naturally, the friendships that develop often last a lifetime, with repeat visits a being a very common occurrence.
For younger students, or perhaps those wanting to sample the experience before committing to the long-term program, Rotary's short-term exchange program can be ideal.