15 Exchange Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student curious about different cultures who is looking to learn new things, consider participating in an exchange program. Exchange programs allow you to spend time living and studying in another country while taking part in structured classes, cultural activities, and day-to-day life with a host family. These exchange programs emphasize immersion, not only in a new academic setting, but into a different way of thinking, communicating, and problem-solving.
An exchange program can help you step out of your comfort zone, improve language proficiency, or understand how education works outside the United States. It can be a powerful source of personal growth, give you something to discuss in your college application essays, and even boost your academic career. We have narrowed down our list to the top 15 exchange programs for high school students to help you find the perfect fit.
1. National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~15% acceptance rate; ~600 students annually
Location: South Korea, Taiwan, China, Turkey, Morocco, and others
Cost: Full scholarship (covers travel, tuition, housing)
Dates: Summer (6–7 weeks) or Academic Year (10 months)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in early November
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, GPA of 2.5 or higher, aged 15–18
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, NSLI-Y is a prestigious exchange program for high school students dedicated to learning languages. You will live with a host family and attend intensive language classes such as Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, or Russian. This program focuses on educating through culture, so you will be mandated to connect with local communities by participating in volunteer community projects and cultural activities. Alumni frequently refer to the program as a turning point in their journey, which led them to work in diplomacy, international business, and linguistics.
2. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program provides you with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. You will work with academics from universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. You’ll attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with your tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. You can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, and computer science, among others. By the end of the program, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive (<5%); ~250 students annually
Location: Germany
Cost: Full scholarship (Funded by the U.S. and German governments)
Dates: Academic Year (August – June)
Application Deadline: Typically early November
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, aged 15–18.5, GPA 2.5+
CBYX is a prestigious fellowship that fosters ties between the U.S. and Germany. You will spend an academic year living with a German host family and attending a local high school, with a month of intensive language training upon arrival. The program also includes meetings with government officials and cultural excursions to learn about the German political system. The program has a significant impact on high school students interested in subjects such as international relations, German language, or public policy. As it is completely funded, it allows for participation by students from any financial background.
4. Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive (~3–5%); ~65 students
Location: Countries with significant Muslim populations (e.g., Jordan, Morocco, Senegal)
Cost: Full scholarship
Dates: Academic Year (August – June)
Application Deadline: Typically December
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, aged 15–18.5
YES Abroad is all about connecting America with countries that have large Muslim populations. You will be staying with a host family and going to a local high school to get a deep understanding of cultures that may be misinterpreted by the West. Such a program is well-suited for those students who are keen on the career of diplomacy, studying the Middle Eastern or African regions, and engaging in cross-cultural dialogue. The program receives full support from the U.S. Department of State and is considered one of the leading high school student exchange programs.
5. Rotary Youth Exchange
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by local district; roughly 8,000 students globally
Location: Over 100 countries worldwide
Cost: Low cost (Families pay airfare/insurance; room & board provided)
Dates: Long-term (10–12 months) or Short-term (days to weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by local club, often 6–12 months in advance
Eligibility: Students aged 15–19; requires sponsorship by a local Rotary club
Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the oldest and most affordable exchange programs for high school students, driven by a network of local volunteers. You will attend high school in your host country and live with multiple host families throughout the year, giving you a broad perspective of the local culture. This program focuses heavily on acting as a cultural ambassador, requiring you to give presentations about your home country to Rotary clubs and community groups. It is an excellent option for students seeking a true immersion experience that builds resilience and adaptability.
6. University of St Andrews – Summer Academic Experience
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: St Andrews, Scotland
Cost: ~£3,000 – £5,000 (~$3,800 – $6,350) (Scholarships available)
Dates: July (3 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18
This university-hosted program offers high school students the chance to study at one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. You will take academic courses taught by St Andrews experts in disciplines such as creative writing, psychology, and international relations. Living in university halls and exploring the historic town gives a true taste of Scottish student life.
7. School Year Abroad (SYA)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~60 students per campus
Location: Spain, France, or Italy
Cost: $65,000 for full year (Significant financial aid available)
Dates: Academic Year (September – May) or Summer (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (sophomores for summer)
SYA is distinct among exchange programs for high school students because it operates its own schools abroad, allowing you to earn U.S. academic credit while being immersed culturally in a foreign country. You will live with a host family for the entire year and take a rigorous curriculum that includes intensive language instruction and field-based learning. Usually, classes are conducted by local faculty, and the curriculum includes the art, history, and politics of the country where you would be staying.
8. CIEE High School Study Abroad
Acceptance rate/cohort size: High acceptance for qualified applicants
Location: 40+ locations, including Spain, Japan, France, and Costa Rica
Cost: $5,000 – $8,000 (Financial aid and scholarships available)
Dates: Summer (3–4 weeks) or Semester/Year options
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; Scholarship deadline typically in January
Eligibility: Students graduating in 2025, 2026, or 2027
CIEE provides an array of different exchange programs for high school students that range from language immersion to thematic studies such as marine biology or business. You may decide to opt for the "Global Navigator" summer program to concentrate on one particular skill or simply take a semester off and participate in a high school exchange to be a part of a foreign school system. The program has many structured activities to support you in getting deeply involved in the local culture. Generally, students live with host families, giving you an authentic insight into everyday life abroad.
9. AFS Intercultural Programs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling acceptance; large global network
Location: 50+ countries, including Italy, Japan, and Argentina
Cost: $10,000 – $16,000 (Need-based aid and merit scholarships available)
Dates: Summer, Semester, or Year
Application Deadline: Rolling; typically Spring for Summer/Fall departures
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18; GPA usually 2.0 or higher
AFS has been offering international student exchange for a long time, providing programs that emphasize the development of global citizenship and intercultural learning. As part of their cultural immersion, you will live with a volunteer host family and go to a neighborhood high school. AFS provides extensive support before, during, and after the program, including orientations that teach coping strategies for culture shock. Alumni join a massive global community of "AFSers" committed to peace and understanding.
10. The Experiment in International Living
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; small groups of ~10–15
Location: 20+ countries, including Mongolia, Peru, and South Africa
Cost: $5,000 – $8,000 (Need-based aid available)
Dates: Summer (3–4 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling; Priority deadline usually in January
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12
The program offers you an immersive and student-centric experience through its exchange programs and virtual initiatives. You’ll explore new countries while also immersing meaningfully in the host country’s culture. It follows a four-part structure that encompasses orientation at the beginning and reflecting on your overall experience at the end. You will stay with a host family in the relevant country, which lets you understand various ethnic and religious communities and global issues at a local level. You’ll gain mastery of a new language, as well as acquire problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.
11. Youth For Understanding (YFU)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling; varying selectivity
Location: 40+ countries, including Estonia, Uruguay, and Thailand
Cost: $12,000 – $18,000 (Many scholarships available)
Dates: Summer, Semester, or Year
Application Deadline: Rolling; typically mid-Spring for Summer departure
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18; 2.0 GPA
YFU is a trusted non-profit that has facilitated intercultural exchanges for decades. Their programs place a strong emphasis on the host family experience as the primary vehicle for cultural learning and language acquisition. You will attend local schools and are supported by area representatives who will help navigate the challenges of adaptation. YFU offers many targeted scholarships (such as for Japan or Germany), making it one of the more financially accessible private exchange programs for high school students.
12. EF Education First – High School Exchange Year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to qualified applicants; large global network
Location: USA, UK, and Ireland (for international students); various for US students
Cost: Varies by destination and duration (~$10,000 – $15,000+)
Dates: Semester or Academic Year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18; 2.0 GPA minimum
EF organizes long-term cultural exchanges where students live with a screened volunteer host family and attend a local high school. You will integrate into the daily life of your host community, taking classes in the local language and participating in family activities. You will go to an orientation camp before arrival to get ready for the change of culture and the language requirements. With the help of this system, you can develop their independence and language fluency while being supervised.
13. SPI Study Abroad
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies
Location: Spain, France, Italy, Costa Rica
Cost: $4,000 – $7,000
Dates: Summer (2–4 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling; programs often fill by April
Eligibility: High school students with some language background preferred
SPI specializes in language immersion programs that combine college-credit coursework with travel. During the mornings, you will be attending language classes at a university nearby. In the afternoons, you can go for cultural excursions and participate in community activities. Such a layout helps you to quickly develop your language skills and, at the same time, gain experience of university life in a foreign country. This program is perfect for those high school students who wish to experience what it is like to study abroad at the college level.
14. Reach Cambridge
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Cost: ~£5,000 – £6,000 (~$6,300 – $7,600)
Dates: July – August (2 or 4 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18
Reach Cambridge offers residential summer programs located in the historic university city of Cambridge. You will live in college accommodation and take university-style classes in subjects ranging from Biotechnology to Law. The program features guest lectures, a series of workshops on university applications, and trips to London and other cultural sites. It is a good choice for those who are looking into academic exchange programs in the UK.
15. Greenheart Travel
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to qualified applicants
Location: Various locations, including Japan, Korea, and Argentina
Cost: Varies ($2,000 – $10,000 depending on duration)
Dates: Summer language camps or Semester/Year
Application Deadline: Rolling; typically 3–4 months in advance
Eligibility: Varies by program; usually aged 15–18
Greenheart Travel is a non-profit organization that provides both semester-long high school exchange programs and intensive summer language camps. You will be placed with a volunteer host family and enrolled in a local school, ensuring a strong connection to the community and daily culture. The "Greenheart Club" is a distinct element of the program that engages you with local volunteer opportunities, enabling you to record service hours and be involved in community impact initiatives in a different country. The organization ensures pre-departure briefing and also provides local coordinators who will assist you with getting comfortable in your new environment. Whether attending language classes in Tokyo or a public high school in Argentina, the curriculum focuses on cultural flexibility and global citizenship.
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