Edith Said:

What is the best semester to study abroad? (high school)?

We Answered:

Academically speaking, you would need to go junior year for a semester if you want colleges to recognize those classes. However, junior year is extremely important and you might not do as well in Australia. You would need to make sure all of the classes you took there are transferable to your high school and "count." If you are only viewing your Australian semester as a fun thing to, then you would have to go 2nd semester senior year, after you have applied to college. However, that presents a problem because you are going to graduate and probably want to be there for graduation. You could also go the first semester of junior year, but again, you would have to make sure you were getting credit and taking "normal" classes. Another thing you might think about is to go in the summer time and take one class. You can also go there when you are in college for a semester or a year.

Laurie Said:

study abroad high school credits transferable?

We Answered:

If you are going abroad for a year of high school with a recognized exchange student program, then your school will generally work with you so that you graduate on time.

I realize at a first glance this does not answer your question, but what generally happens is that your school will give you credit for SOME things you take in Italy. For example, most will give foreign language, social studies, English (if you take it) and also independent study. Some schools will even give math and science credit. On classes where you HAVE to take them in the U.S. (i.e. American History/Government, Junior/Senior English), most exchange students will either double up the year before they go or the year they get back. Some will take a summer or correspondence class.

However, for American students, it's almost ALWAYS possible to graduate on time and take an exchange year. Your school counselor will have the details for you.

Two things to make sure of:
1. You use a CSIET listed program (www,csiet,org). The major programs are all listed -- AFS, YFU, Rotary are among the best.
2. Make sure you get your academic plan in writing from your school. That way if there is a change in the people who approved your plan, you are still covered.

Good luck! This is a great opportunity with lots of rewards.

If you are interested in other aspects of becoming an exchange student, visit http://www.exchangestudentworld.com/
That's an on-line community of exchange students who share advice and experience

Felicia Said:

what is it like to study abroad during high school?

We Answered:

Studying abroad is always a great adventure. You will experience the differences in school system and culture first hand. The younger you start with such experiences the easier you will find it to adapt.
So be prepared for culture shock. Just as examples: the legal age for drinking alcohol is lower and the legal age for driving cars is higher than in the US.

Talk with your guidance counselor and with your French teacher.

If you are lucky you can go with an official exchange program. This would have the advantage that your school knows which classes you will have in France. And they will know how to translate French grades into US grades. Be aware that the French school system is different from the US school system. Senior in high school compares approximately to the last year before the "bac".

If there is no exchange program available, talk with your counselor about the possibility to go to France privately and how to get credit for your studies there. If you go that route, sort the administrative hassles out and talk with your French teacher if and how he or she can help you with these and with finding a nice French school and a nice French family to stay.

The last possibility is going to France with a language school. But then you will not have the full immersion into the French school system and it definitely will not help you with your IB diploma.

Barbara Said:

What are the requirements to study abroad in high school?

We Answered:

Going on exchange is unlike any other experience! It's great that you are starting to gather information.
I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer with Youth For Understanding (YFU).
Currently, many (if not most) organizations have suspended their programs to England/Scotland/Wales/UK. Students were having difficulties getting visas there. There is talk of potentially resuming those programs in 2012 (if the world doesn't end :) ).
Yes, there are age requirements. Each hosting country sets it's own requirements, but you generally will need to be between 15 and 18 at the time you depart for the country.
Yes, there is a sort of 'financial aid'. Competitive scholarships are available. (More on that in a bit.)
Yes, there are GPA requirements. Generally speaking, you'll need at least a 3.0 for a semester or year program and a 2.0 (4.0 scale) for summer programs.
Anything else you need? That's a pretty broad question.
If I may, I would like to give you some advice considering choosing an organization with which to travel. I would like to cast a vote for going with Youth For Understanding (YFU). When I have asked exchange students why they chose YFU, I get the following answers: (1) YFU gave them more bang for their buck and/or (2) someone they knew and trusted recommended YFU. 95% of the fees collected by YFU go for direct program costs (airline tickets, support in hosting country, etc.). YFU has been around for 59 years and has learned how to make exchanges successful.
Which ever program you choose, make sure the organization is listed with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (csiet.org). They routinely audit programs for quality.
While the process will vary a little from organization to organization, it generally goes as follows (in a very simplified nutshell):
a) Gather info and talk to your parents, teachers, and school counselor. Choose a country and length of stay. This year, YFU has programs in 39 countries (4 of which have English as a first language and 30-some which do not require previous language study).
b) Apply for the program and/or a scholarship. (Online, over the phone, by fax or mail, etc.) In a typical year, approximately 500 students will go overseas with YFU; 300 will have full or partial scholarships. While the scholarships are competitive, the odds aren't too bad.
c) After the organization reviews your file, participate in an in-person interview. This is to make sure you were honest and accurate on your application and to make sure you're placed with the appropriate host family.
d) Pay for the program. Below is a link for helping get ideas for raising the needed funds.
e) After you get a host family, correspond with them. (Not officially required, just something I think is an extremely good idea.)
f) Go and work hard and enjoy.
g) Come home and share your experience.
Good luck to you no matter what you choose!

Jimmy Said:

Can you study abroad, in high school, without going through a program?

We Answered:

It is really hard to do it without a program, I'll tell you that now. However, if you contact the school or the school district it belongs to and enquiry about it, they should be able to give you the information that you need. It also costs a lot more if you do it directly through the school district rather than a program. If the primary language of the other country isn't English, you might still have to repeat a year since with these types of things, its more about learning a language than betting school credit.