Exchange families in china. How to travel to America with an exchange family

In the 21st century, there are quite a few learning opportunities. The child receives primary education in preschool institutions (kindergartens and in developmental classes), then receives knowledge in schools, but after receiving secondary education, the children face a choice - someone goes to receive a secondary specialized education, and someone goes to higher professional education. And in the case of the latter, there is an interesting opportunity - a trip to study in exchange in another country. A large number of universities offer this training option to their students. And this time I met with a student of SZIU RANEPA Moiseeva Vitaly, who is studying to be a journalist and just a couple of days later flies to Bulgaria to study on an exchange. Why she made such a choice, and what is the process of preparing for the trip, you can read below.

Hello Vita! Tell us a little about yourself and why you decided to go to study in another country.

I am studying to be a journalist, and this profession presupposes knowledge about everything. Therefore, I decided that studying abroad is a very good option for expanding my horizons, the concept of another culture.

Are you satisfied with everything in Russian education?

At our university in Russia, I like the combination of education - we study both theory and practice. For example, we shoot, invent and fantasize.

You decided to go to Bulgaria - why such a choice?

To be honest, I did not choose the country in which I would continue my studies, I just sent my works to the grant competition and won it.

Is the exchange study an educational program from a university? Or did you yourself look for her outside the institute?

The program is called Erasmus and is very popular with students who want to study abroad. Under this program, you can study in completely different areas of training.

In Bulgaria, the state language is Bulgarian. Do you speak it? Or are you going to communicate in English?

There is a stereotype that the Bulgarian language is very similar to Russian. This is partly a myth, although the Russian language has something in common with the Bulgarian language, but, nevertheless, the languages ​​are very different. The training will take place for each individual, and in English. Unfortunately, my level of English is a little lame, due to the fact that from the second year studying a foreign language at our university has ended. Perhaps that is why I decided to go to study in this program, so as not to lose my language skills.

How long are you going to study?

I am going for the spring semester, which lasts 5 months in Bulgaria.

Tell us what are you going to study? How will the training be structured?

I still have no idea how the training will take place and how high-quality it will be. I'll check it on myself - and I will definitely tell you.

How do you prepare for such a long trip?

I try to take the trip calmly, but, of course, I constantly think about what I will take with me, whether I will like it there, whether the guys who are traveling with me will be sociable.

Who else is coming with you for an internship?

Two more people are leaving from our institute. From the direction of psychology and customs. In Burgas (Burgas - the city where the guys will live - approx. the author) There are a lot of areas of training for the Free University.

And who can even go to study on an exchange? Anyone or is there some kind of selection?

If you want to go to study abroad, the only thing you need is desire. Now, in the era of the Internet, it is always and everywhere possible to easily find educational portals of different universities and choose an internship or master's degree. After you have decided on the university and the program, you need to study the documents that you need to submit to pass the competition. Sometimes a copy of the record book is enough, and sometimes you need to go through several stages of the competition. Of course, if you want to master a creative profession, you will need to provide a portfolio.

Do you think Bulgaria will give you a complete and good educational platform?

I will study journalism. I really liked that the classes will be held individually, I will be able to ask the teachers questions and get answers immediately. By the way, the teachers there are not only from Bulgaria, but also from universities in France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

Worried before leaving?

I am worried because I have not had such an experience before, but I am sure that everything will go smoothly. Of course, it is scary to leave the comfort zone, from the native walls and go towards the unknown. But I am sure that such a shake-up will positively affect my consciousness and the rhythm of my future life.

Where do you plan to live? In a dorm, in a rented apartment, or maybe in a family?

I had options for living with a family, but I chose a rented apartment. There are no hostels like in Russia, in Bulgaria, there are mini hotels, but the prices are about 25 euros per night. In general, housing in Bulgaria is not very expensive, so a spacious three-room apartment can be rented for 300 euros (23 thousand rubles). I am going to Burgas - a resort town with access to the sea, so I think that in summer housing prices will be higher.

What do you think is the difference between education in Russia and in Bulgaria?

It seems to me that there will be a lot of practice in Bulgaria, I will be able to practice the language, communicate with journalists from different countries. During this time, I will study more deeply the history of Bulgaria, customs, foundations.

What advice would you give to those who want to go abroad, but do not dare? How do you take the first step?

If the thought of studying abroad comes up in your head, grab it right away, then it’s yours. Do not be afraid to move away from the boring frames, from the usual landscapes around. Consider if you want to develop in what you are learning now. If yes, then feel free to choose the program and fly to the meeting for the adventure.

Almost everyone dreams of going abroad, but often an overabundance of ambitions only interferes with their plans. Dreaming is not harmful, but can you only dream? To make a dream come true, it is important not to throw it on the mezzanine with three-liter cans and remember about it once a year. You need to constantly move it, try in every way for its embodiment. Studying is the surest way to achieve something, that very cherished for each of us, and studying abroad will only help in this. As they say at Nike: further "I'm only better." So don't be afraid to take a step into the unknown.

Interviewed by Tatiana Kudelina

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There is a worthy alternative to studying abroad in private schools with full board: participation in exchange programs for schoolchildren that involve living with a host family for the duration of the course. Delovoy Kvartal has collected answers to the most frequently asked questions about international exchange programs for Russian schoolchildren.

The active development of international exchange programs for schoolchildren began after the Second World War, in European countries and the United States. Before our very eyes, a new world order was being created, in which, in order to prevent terrible tragedies, ties between yesterday's enemies became a key value - not at the level of politicians and diplomats, but between ordinary people. The ideologists of the first exchange programs reasonably suggested that the foundation of understanding between people representing different races, religions and social groups will be the stronger, the sooner you start to build it - preferably from school age. And necessarily with the participation of families, so that the immersion in a foreign culture was maximum. Therefore, international programs, under which two countries exchange schoolchildren who come for one academic year (as an option, a semester or trimester) to study in public or private schools, while living with families, began to be called cultural exchange programs (to separate them from “just »Foreign educational programs, when students live in boarding houses at private schools).

All exchange programs are divided into commercial and non-commercial. The overwhelming majority belongs to the first category, they are organized, as a rule, by operators of the foreign education market, but under the patronage of government agencies. The latter act as large projects of non-profit foundations financed by charitable contributions from host countries, sponsoring companies, and parents themselves. Participation in a non-profit program does not mean that parents do not bear any costs at all, but they are significantly lower than in the case of a commercial exchange. Nonna Kovrizhnykh, executive director of the Interculture Foundation (the Russian branch of AFS, one of the world's largest organizations organizing non-profit exchanges), says 99% of exchange organizations are for-profit. This means that the parents of children participating in such a program, in addition to air tickets, visas, insurance, organization services and other necessary costs, also pay the cost of the student's stay in the host family and school.

For parents, the main motive for sending their children to study in another country, to an unfamiliar family, is to prepare them for an independent adult life, teach them effective interpersonal communication, the ability to negotiate and establish connections in any life situation, and, of course, immerse themselves in another culture, which significantly expands the horizons of the possible. The organizers say exchange programs are always an attempt to "teach swimming by simply throwing a student in the water." The life successes of those participating in such programs over the decades prove that this approach is truly effective.

Improving a foreign language in a natural linguistic environment as the main goal of the trip is gradually fading into the background, since today you can learn the language at a good level in other ways.

1 | What is the difference between commercial and non-commercial exchange programs?

Ms. Kovrizhnykh explains the peculiarity of non-commercial programs in this way. Children and parents who choose them need to understand that the pay-and-go slogan does not work. Parents cannot avoid expenses, but the main principle of selecting children for participation is competitive. It is necessary to prove that this particular child can represent his country abroad (after all, the exchange takes place not between families, but between countries), that he is sufficiently gifted and prepared to withstand all the upcoming difficulties with dignity. Providers of commercial programs also have a selection, but, as a rule, it is limited to checking the child's level of proficiency in a foreign language.

2 | What are the most famous non-profit programs?

The most famous and widespread (from the point of view of the geography of representations and the mass participation) are the AFS and FLEX programs. The first forms exchange programs for schoolchildren between dozens of countries; 23 countries are proposed for Russia for the academic year. The second is funded by the US Department of State and offers one-year tuition in American schools and living with ordinary American families. And in fact, and in another case, you must pass a competitive selection. It is quite tough, according to the FLEX program in the 2012-2013 season, in Russia and the CIS 1.2% of 70 thousand participants were selected (about 800 people, the competition is higher than when enrolled in). The FLEX competition consists of several stages (interview, teacher recommendations, letters to foster parents, second and third round essays). The organizers say that the level of English proficiency among applicants is not important, the competition is held by those who show the best fit with the goals of the program (understanding the culture of America in all its diversity, familiarizing Americans with their countries and their cultures, the desire to learn about democratic values ​​and civic responsibility of citizens USA, etc.). AFS Exchange Scholarship Competitions 2014-2015. consists of two rounds. In the first part-time course, it is necessary to write an essay on the topic "Life in the style of AFS" - no more than 20 sentences. Second round.

3 | With which countries are there exchange programs?

Since the exchange programs initially connected mainly the United States and European countries, the most massively developed reception infrastructure (prepared host families and schools participating in the programs) is there. Accordingly, most of the schoolchildren from the Russian Federation go to the USA, Germany, France, Belgium. At the same time, Nonna Kovrizhnykh clarifies that now the most popular among Russian parents are European countries (the United States has lost its status of the most attractive country for exchange). At the same time, more and more parents want to send their children to countries that are relatively new for school exchanges - Latin America, Asia (China is the most popular here). In the 2014-2015 season. in AFS programs in Russia, in addition to traditional European countries and the United States, exchanges with Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, etc.

4 | Who can participate in exchanges?

The standard age for participants in school exchanges is 15-18 (sometimes 17) years at the beginning of the school year. FLEX is not eligible for adolescents who have lived in the United States for 3 months or more in the past 5 years, as well as children of parents who emigrated to the United States or applied to emigrate to the United States.

5 | How much does it cost to participate in commercial exchange programs?

An academic half-year in Germany will cost from 6.8 thousand euros, the same half-year in Belgium or France. Academic year in the USA - from $ 7 thousand. This amount includes: accommodation in a family carefully selected by partners on the spot with meals (usually two meals a day), meeting and transfer from the airport to the place of residence, training and use of the school infrastructure, cultural program. Parents pay extra for airfare and pocket expenses. The organizers advise to allocate $ 200-300 per month for pocket expenses (cell phone, Internet, additional food, etc.).

6 | What are the disadvantages of participating in exchange programs?

From the point of view of obtaining an education in a comprehensive school in the Russian Federation, schoolchildren who leave abroad for the academic year may encounter difficulties. The organizers of the most popular programs describe them as follows: perhaps next year the student will not have time to return home to pass school exams (etc.); the academic year in the USA may not be counted by the Russian school; the curriculum in the United States can be very different from that studied in the Russian Federation; after graduating from school in the United States, a young man can immediately be drafted into the army; the family in the host country may differ from yours in terms of living standards.

Opinions

Exchange programs help to get rid of many small-town complexes

Anatoly Sergeev, General Director of SibitSystems (Krasnoyarsk)

I have a positive attitude towards exchange programs for schoolchildren and students. They broaden the horizons of young people, opening up new opportunities for them. Plus, such programs help to get rid of many small-town complexes and form young people into real civilized representatives of humanity. I definitely won't mind if any of my children wants to participate in the exchange program. But this should be exclusively their choice, not my desire - this is how upbringing is built in our family. I believe that the future lies not only in individual programs, but in the opportunity for a young person to choose any place of study, relying on global rankings and the reputation of the university. In this case, the applicant will have to demonstrate all his abilities and prove the right to study. Freedom of choice and healthy competition - this alone will greatly affect the personality and character of every young person and society as a whole. In the meantime, exchange programs look more like small "gates" to the big world, available to a limited circle. But the fact that they exist is already good.

Exchange programs are social training for the child

Nikolay Sallo, director of the Tislenko Clinic (Krasnoyarsk)

I think no one will argue that school or student exchange programs are very useful and necessary. For a child, this is a unique experience of living in another country, with its own cultural and everyday characteristics. In addition, this is a good motivation for a more in-depth study of the language, culture, history, and geography of the country. It is no secret that even our attitude to study and study technologies abroad is different, therefore, in any case, this is something new and interesting. Also, exchange programs are an excellent "social training" for a child, new acquaintances and communication formats. But there are pitfalls here. Since the level of awareness in adolescence is usually low, some negative influence may be exerted on the child - cultural, ideological, religious. Therefore, parents must understand and take this into account and, speaking in medical language, organize the correct "rehabilitation" of the child after his return.

Exchange of experience helps to develop comprehensively

Karen Dallakyan, President of the ZOO Protection Fund "Save Me!" (Chelyabinsk)

I am definitely positive about student exchange! Unfortunately, my boys did not participate in such programs. But I think it is very important that such a practice exists in Yerevan, in many schools and universities where the children of my relatives and friends study. I remember when I was staying there, a boy from England lived with friends. This is important for education, for general development, both for students and schoolchildren. This is an acquaintance with another culture, way of life. Any exchange of experience is positive and fruitful for work, education and development!

For a new level of English

Vitaly Dudka, Director of the "Creator" company (Chelyabinsk)

From such programs, I have come across only the student Work & Travel USA. The program is undoubtedly useful, expands the horizons, allows you to travel, teaches independence. Well, in the end, it gives you the opportunity to make money. My children are still small, but several friends participated in this program, my sister went. It's an interesting adventure and challenge. And a separate bonus is a completely new level of spoken English. The most important thing in such programs, in my opinion, is fostering independence, acquiring communication skills. Well, a foreign language, of course.

The language is best learned in the country where it is spoken

Irina Skosyreva, owner of the chain of Italian furniture salons Berloni (Nizhny Novgorod)

I think the best way to learn a language is in the country where it is spoken. My children have never participated in exchange programs, but I find it very cool. Here he studied in an ordinary school, and I regret that I did not send him to a specialized language school, where there are exchange programs. We ourselves sent them on summer vacations to England and France for in-depth study of languages. Perhaps the result in exchange programs is higher, because the children live in a family and they have to additionally communicate at the household level. They see the life of the country more from the inside, immerse themselves in culture. Although children, as far as I know, prefer to live in college, because in a family it is necessary to get used to a certain way of life, and not every child can. In general, any trip helps to expand horizons, become more sociable, and this will certainly help in adulthood. In addition, when children are far from their parents, they learn to make decisions on their own.

TOP 28 exchange programs for students and high school students

How much are host families paid for a student?

Host families are not reimbursed for the stay of a foreign student in the family and all costs associated with this. Instead, they receive various perks and benefits. However, by volunteering to become a host family, people receive a $ 50 tax deduction per month.

All host families fill out a special form, where they enter, including their data and income. This information is only used to ensure that the family can provide for the basic needs of the student, including three meals a day and transportation to and from school activities. This form is filled out by all host families, without exception. Also, the host family's application is supported by a detailed resume, where, in addition to the family's resume, there are also photographs of the exterior and local area, kitchen, student's room, bathroom and living room, information about the composition of the family and the society in which the family moves. Exchange students cannot bring relatives.

Do exchange students in the United States need to be able to speak English?

Yes, it is necessary because the school is taught in English. Students are approved by the admissions office in America. They have a Skype interview with one of the American administrators. all students speak English, but the entry level is different for everyone.

What is required of students?

Students must adapt to the life of the host family, follow basic rules, and participate in family activities. Our students understand that this program is not a tour or excursion, but a study-oriented homestay. Students are expected to help with housework.

What do you have to spend money on?

All exchange students should have their own pocket money provided by their family. Students pay their own phone bills, school meals, school fees, and activities such as going to the movies or bowling. (We ask students to have at least $ 300 monthly).

What if an exchange student is sick or needs medical attention?

The program is covered by full health insurance with a small deductible. Any costs associated with this are borne by the organization. If you have any questions, please contact your local Exchange Program hotline. A copy of the student's medical examination is in the folder with his application for the program.

What if students don't have a good relationship with their host family?

If there is a misunderstanding between the student and the family, the local Exchange Program representative and his immediate supervisor provide advice and support under the direction of the head office. If there are insurmountable difficulties or unexpected changes in the host family, the representatives of the Program will arrange accommodation for the student with another family.

How old must students be to participate in the program?

Exchange students visiting the United States are usually 15-18 years old. Which class the student will be sent to is determined by the school based on his application.

Does a student need to apply for a visa for their guest?

No. Exchange students arriving in the United States receive a J-1 visa, supported by the DS 2019 Form. All questions and responsibilities regarding visas and any other travel documents are covered by the Program.

What are the requirements for a host family?

• The family should be aware of the responsibilities associated with the student's residence
• The family must have two or more family members who are married or related by blood (single people can become a host family with the approval of the student's real family)
• Host parents must be at least 25 years old.
• Provide the student with a bed and study area. The student must have their own separate bed. A student can share a room with a brother / sister from a host family of the same gender as the student and with an age difference of no more than 5 years.
• The family provides the student with breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks. The student buys lunch at school on his own.
• The family must be financially secure and ready to cover the costs associated with the placement of the teenager.
• Many families are happy to include some additional expenses of their choice.

Which families are considered good candidates for the program?

Exchange students enjoy living on farms, small towns, suburbs, and large cities. Each local community offers its own opportunities for communication and learning. Whether the host family is a married couple with children, a single parent, a parent who has already raised their children or grandchildren, as long as they have a little love that they are willing to give to others, this is all that is required of them!

How much does it cost to host a student's homestay?

The financial responsibility of the host family is minimal. If the family is able to provide food, then this is already enough. The student's real family will pay all travel expenses, program costs and medical insurance. They will also provide the student with a monthly amount for school lunches, social events, clothing and other necessities.

How will the student move around the city?

Parents of host families are often busy with work and other activities. The exchange student is not allowed to drive, but will use school and public transport whenever possible. Students often make friends while driving. Nobody requires a host family to become a chauffeur, but you should at least offer a ride when it is convenient or help organize an alternative way of transportation.

Can a non-traditional family participate in the exchange?

Of course! Host families come in all shapes and sizes. They can consist of a single parent, parents with older children, families with young children, and many other combinations.

Does the host family become the student's legal guardian?

No. The legal guardians of the student are his relatives, biological parents. The student exchange program assumes legal responsibility for the duration of the program. Each student has a health certificate so that the host parent can arrange for medical assistance in case of emergency.

Can an exchange student drive a car during the program?

The student is NOT allowed to drive while participating in the program. If time permits, the student can attend the driving school and drive only the car of the auto instructor.

How long can a student live with a family?

Students who come for 10 months are in the United States from August-September to May-June. Exchange semester students come for 5 months and are in the United States either from August to January or from January to June. Students from the Southern Hemisphere can participate in 12 month programs and arrive in January.

Do small children benefit from a foreigner living in a family?

Many of the exchange students participating in the program indicate that they are interested in families with young children. As for children in a host family, their curiosity and interest in a different language and culture is highest at a young age.

Many parents dream that their child will achieve life and professional success. Therefore, it is quite natural that our compatriots have a huge number of questions about how and who can become a participant in the program of interethnic exchange of schoolchildren. And today we will try to answer you the most burning questions on this topic.

International school exchange programs Is a unique opportunity for a child to get acquainted with the culture, traditions, value orientations and the educational system of other countries. Moreover, to introduce them not superficially, through stories and short-term excursion tours, but by deep immersion in the natural habitat of a resident of a foreign state.

Simply put, a student can live in a foreign family for some time with all the ensuing consequences (that is, active participation in family holidays and the everyday life of foreigners), study in a regular school and communicate freely with foreign citizens. As a result of such close communication with foreigners, the child not only thoroughly studies the peculiarities of the life of a particular country and the subtle nuances of a spoken foreign language, but also gets to know a huge number of new people, friendly relations with whom can help him in later life (and this is very important , especially if the student plans to continue his education abroad and to work or live there in the future).

Well, since many parents dream that their child will achieve life and professional success both in their homeland and around the world, the issue of the participation of Russian schoolchildren in such international exchange programs is relevant today as never before. Therefore, it is quite natural that our compatriots have a huge number of questions about how and who can become a participant international student exchange programs... And today we will try to answer you the most burning questions on this topic.

Who can apply to participate in an international exchange?

Any Russian schoolchild between the ages of 15 and 18 can participate in the international exchange (that is, on the day of sending to another country, the child must be at least 15 years old). Note that in rare cases, age exceptions are allowed.

But if the age restrictions may vary, then knowledge of a foreign language at an upper-intermediate level (up-intermediate) is a must. After all, a student who does not speak the language properly will not be able, if necessary, to explain to the host family what worries him, what he is dissatisfied with or what he needs at the moment.

Another mandatory requirement is the student's good academic performance, at least for the last academic year (the average score is at least 4). This requirement is not accidental, since the child will represent his country in front of foreign citizens, and by his erudition and mental abilities they will largely judge the level Russian education generally.

Also, the child should have such personal qualities as communication skills, initiative, independence, curiosity, tolerance, stress resistance and the ability to quickly adapt to new conditions.

How much does it cost to participate in an international exchange?

Many international exchange programs involve training a student at a free public school abroad. However, all accompanying costs (introductory weekly course, accommodation, airport transfers, paperwork, supervision by the program organizers, air tickets, pocket money, etc.) will have to be paid by the parents out of their own pocket. However, in exceptional cases, the costs are covered by government or charitable foundations.

Of course, the cost participation in the international exchange program largely depends not only on the country of residence, but also on the level of the school, living conditions in the host family, the duration of the program and additional costs (for example, training in specialized courses or narrowly targeted excursion trips around the country). On average, parents need to focus on the standard approximate cost of international exchange for an academic year (9 months):

• USA - $ 10,000 (per semester - $ 5,500);
• France - 10,500 euros (per semester - 6,500 euros);
• Great Britain - 15,000 euros;
• Germany - 8,000 euros (per semester - 5,500 euros);
• Italy - 7,800 euros (per semester - 4,500 euros);
• Australia - $ 22,000 (per semester - $ 12,000);
• Spain - 8,000 euros (per semester - 5,500 euros);
• Canada - $ 22,000 (per semester - $ 12,000);
• Belgium - 8,500 euros (per semester - 5,500 euros);
• Japan - $ 6,500;
• New Zealand - $ 19,000 (per semester - $ 12,000);
• Mexico - $ 6,000 (per semester - $ 4,500);
• Ireland - 14,000 euros;
• South Africa - $ 6,500 (per semester - $ 4,500).

What you need to know about international exchange?

First of all, not worth considering international exchange programs as one of the ways to obtain a high level of academic knowledge, since the school curriculum of educational institutions abroad differs from educational programs that meet domestic standards (for example, the level of knowledge in mathematics and physics provided in European schools is much lower than in Russian schools).

In addition, it is necessary to clearly understand that such programs are rather a cultural exchange of schoolchildren, aimed at the general development of the child. Upon completion of participation in an international exchange, the student receives only a certificate of a program participant, which are not taken into account in the Russian education system as an official document confirming the level of knowledge acquired. Therefore, so that your child does not miss the school year in Russian schools, you need to take care of the possibility of studying as an external student.

Where to go to get a student to become a participant in an international exchange?

Today in Russia there are several international exchange programs for schoolchildren offered by various international organizations (for example, Youth For Understanding, International Exchange Center, International Research & Exchanges Board, ASTRYAL).

In order for a child to become a participant in an interethnic exchange, the parents of the student (or the student himself) must contact the representative office of one of such international organizations and leave an application confirming your desire. Then the organizers will contact you and give you detailed instructions on what steps you need to take and what documents to prepare.

Studying in America today is considered promising, so many schoolchildren and students dream of leaving here. But if for some dreams still remain something unrealizable, then other students turn their plans into reality, find exchange programs and leave to conquer another country.

Education in the United States is available not only for the children of wealthy parents; you can even move here for free - within the framework of interethnic cooperation.

What exchange programs operate in the USA

Exchange students come to America in the framework of several programs, some of them are completely free, while others will have to pay a lot of money to participate. But at the same time, they offer an excellent development opportunity for schoolchildren and students.

The following programs operate:

• AFS is a popular program for teenagers, which is available in the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the CIS countries. Intercultural exchange is carried out free of charge, while the child ends up in any family that is ready to provide a decent standard of living;
• Flex is a non-profit program involving competitive participation, the main requirement is excellent knowledge of the English language, cultural exchange between the USA and the Russian Federation is not currently taking place, however, positive changes may occur;
• Paid programs - parents can send a child as part of a paid participation, but they will have to bear all the costs. Tuition in a public school costs $ 7,000 per year, in a private school - over 20,000;
• UGRAD is an exchange study in the United States for students, designed for one semester;
• Work and Travel - the program assumes the student's work and rest in the States during the summer holidays, you can spend money on travel, shopping, or you can bring an impressive amount home;
• Career Training USA is an internship in America, which takes place according to the student's profile. The term ranges from a couple of months to 1.5 years;
• Au Pair in America - the program is available only for girls who are babysitting with a host family. At the same time, Americans pay for education in the States, give pocket money.

Exchange students go to America to gain experience, learn a language, and devote time to entertainment. Whether you want to learn self-reliance on your own, or if you want it for your own child, participation is a great way to get things done.

Features of the AFS program

Schoolchildren 15-18 years old can come to America on the AFS exchange. At the same time, the child of American parents also moves to another country to study. How to travel to the States? There is a competitive program, the application is submitted on the official website, respectively, the training is sponsored by partners.

The chances of moving are those children who show creative inclinations, study well, and children whose parents work in sponsoring companies are sent to the United States for exchange.

Participation is available both for residents of megalopolises and for children from the provinces - in this case, the interview is carried out via the Internet.

It is curious that the program itself is free, as well as grants, scholarships, assistance with paying for the flight are provided for the participants. However, children need US j 1 visas, which will require a consular fee.

Flex features

The student exchange program in the United States has been operating for more than half a century, the first students from Russia came here at the end of the last century, today the direction has become very popular. The program is called Flex - study in America, respectively, it is available only for schoolchildren.

What is the attraction of studying in the States? A teenager comes to a host family for one academic year, while children from this family are sent to Russia for exchange. At the same time, an American student does not live in a Russian family. During the year spent in America, I will be able to better learn English, learn local customs and traditions, American history.

How do I become a member of the program? To do this, you must meet several criteria:

• Being a high school student - grades 8-10;
• Have good or excellent grades;
• Excellent command of English;
• Be between the ages of 15-18.

To participate, you will have to pass 3 language proficiency exams, a psychological test, pass an interview and get a j1 visa in the United States. The selection is conducted from October, and the next year, in the spring, the result of the admission becomes known.

Russia temporarily suspended participation in the flex program due to the fact that an American family adopted a child who came from abroad, and several other children also did not return to their homeland.

Features of UGRAD

UGRAD is a US student exchange program.

Only third-year students who show academic success, have creative or scientific achievements can go abroad. The participant does not go to the USA for a year, but only for a semester.

All student expenses are covered by the host country - America. They will pay for you:

• Full tuition fees;
• Cost of living;
• Round-trip plane tickets.

The exchange of students is free, and a young person only needs to issue a passport. The selection criteria for this program are quite strict:

• Excellent grades are needed in all subjects;
• You need to be interested in student life, be an active student;
• Confidently communicate and correspond in English;
• Pass the exam as a competition;
• Required letters of recommendation from teachers.

It is noteworthy that exchange children in America can apply for participation online, that is, it is not at all necessary to look for an intermediary, an agency, pay fees - they will be able to go through the entire procedure on their own.

About studying at an American school, host families

Despite the fact that a trip to America and study in the States is very profitable, convenient and tempting, many parents are afraid to part with their child, because anything can happen in another country overseas.

In fact, the worries are in vain for several reasons:

• Host families are always carefully selected - not enough just the desire of Americans to shelter someone else's child. Children can be taken into care only by families with children, young pensioners who have already raised their own children, grandmothers, grandfathers, single parents. That is, the family must have the skills of upbringing and communication with the child;
• The living conditions are checked - the student and the student are accommodated in a separate room, or together with their own children of the same sex. State authorities carefully monitor that the foreigner is well fed, provided his leisure time, and the parents, in turn, must send pocket money and school lunch;
• The host provides such a service completely free of charge, and does it not only out of curiosity and desire to be useful. Helping a foreigner is a prestigious occupation, the status of the family in the eyes of society immediately rises, the neighbors understand that wealthy and good-natured people live behind the fence;
• As for teaching at school, there are no already formed classes and strata - students usually do not get to know each other in the classroom, since the flow of children is extremely large, now a teenager studies with some children, later with others. Acquaintances can be made only in additional classes and extracurricular activities.

Accordingly, a student from abroad will be of interest, students will be drawn to him with questions, and then it depends on the child - whether he can find contact.

About visas for program participants

How to get a j1 visa in the USA? This question worries the participants of exchange programs and their parents.

The process of obtaining an exit permit itself is quite simple, since the participant is sent only for study, he cannot change his status to immigration. j 1 is a visa that is issued to students wishing to travel on an exchange basis. If you passed the competitive selection, the sponsor agreed to pay for your training, then most likely you will be given all the permits.

Another visa - j2 in the USA allows relatives of the program participants to move. For example, if a mother is afraid to let her child go alone, she can go with him, having received an appropriate visa. In order for family members to enter the States, it will be necessary to prove the absence of migration intentions, to confirm their own financial situation.

An exchange study in the United States is a great opportunity to get to know a foreign country better, improve your English, gain experience and impressions.