Has your child been a foreign exchange student?

Applying to College
21

<p>To anyone considering a high school exchange, I would strongly suggest the Rotary program. I'm currently in Argentina with Rotary and I'm having a blast. Participants must pay airfare and insurance. There are other expenses for things like obtaining visas and personal spending money, but in comparison with the prices of programs like AFS (check out their website) or what you would pay for regular room/board/whatever at home, it's really a great deal for a year abroad. Rotary also gives students monthly spending money, which is especially helpful for kids who go to expensive countries. If money is really an issue, though, I would suggest picking countries where the dollar is strong--I'm so glad I'm in a country with a 3 to 1 ratio instead of Europe where I wouldn't be able to afford to travel. </p>

<p>I also have to recommend that students NOT do exchanges their senior year UNLESS they are extremely organized about doing all of their application chores ahead of time--and I mean all of them. Otherwise, the student will have college applications hanging over his or her head for a large portion of the year (I speak from experience), and this isn't fun for students or host parents. Postage is expensive but frankly time is even more so. I would also like to warn anyone considering this that nearly all colleges will want first semester grades and a midyear report, which can be somewhat difficult to obtain for admissions deadlines. Still, all of these issues are manageable; it's just a question of being extremely organized. </p>

<p>Students who travel as underclassmen should definitely make sure to get some documentation of their work in the host country, even if they know that their high schools will not give any credit for their work. Colleges will want to see some sort of evaluation, whether in the form of actual grades or just a written evaluation of some kind. </p>

<p>As for communication, Skype is great for long-distance communication (free!). While students going to less developed countries should consider the fact that they might not have a computer in their host home or access to the internet outside of a certain schedule, even paying for an hour at an internet cafe (50 US cents per hour for me) is much cheaper than a calling card. </p>

<p>Feel free to PM me with questions.</p>

22

<p>Yes, we thought about Rotary--just never got around to applying. If my son does get this CBYX scholarship it pretty much pays for all the same things Rotary pays for.</p>

<p>I agree with you on the not going your senior year except that our options here are so limited. We are in a town of 5000. The high school is awful--no AP classes, just a few honor's classes and he has pretty much taken everything that they have to offer. We do have a community college where he could take classes for dual credit and 95% of the students who graduate from here and go on to college go there because they get free tuition. From what I hear, it is even easier than our high school.</p>

<p>Regardless, he's not looking at applying at Ivy League schools--probably just somewhere here in Kansas--and I have no doubt he'll have no trouble getting into any of them. We're not talking about loads of competition like you have in other states. So I'm not worried about that part. What does have me a little concerned is that there probably are a fair number of scholarships that require tests and interviews for which he will not be eligible to compete since he will not be here.</p>

<p>In the big picture though--for his situation--should he be lucky enough to be awarded the opportunity--it will probably be the best thing for him--give him some perspective outside of this bubble in which we live.</p>

23

<p>stoth-It sounds like the interview process will be a lot different, especially since it sounds like your son will be going up against all the semi-finalists, while mine was just a regional interview with 7 people in each session. However, it seems probable that there would be a group session so just tell your son to make sure he gives his opinion (we had a discussion question and a task we had to complete) and plays an active role, but not to try to dominate the conversation. One girl at my group interview would cut me off when I spoke and I don't think it showed her in a good light (and she wasn't selected either). They're looking for someone outgoing who will reach out to others on the year abroad--if your son's naturally outgoing, this should be easy, but if not, tell him to make a conscious effort to do so.</p>

<p>If he has an individual interview as well, they will just be questions mostly about your interest in Germany and hypothetical situations that might arise while overseas. Make sure you son has answers for why he wants to go to Germany, what he would do if he wasn't making any friends, what if someone attacked his country's stance on an internat'l issue, etc. They also asked me questions like, "How would you define homesickness?" etc. They also asked me questions specific to my own situation: How would I feel about attending an extra year of high school when all my friends are going off to college, how I would manage being a vegetarian in a non-vegetarian family, and so on.</p>

<p>If you have any other questions, please let me know, I love talking about cbyx and exchange programs, haha</p>

24

<p>Thanks, Estrella--This really helps. I think he'll do fine. He is REAL easy going and is just genuinly a nice person--very well liked by students and teachers. He pretty much just needs to be himself. Like I mentioned before--he has no concerns over this at all. I think his attitude is if he gets it--great. If he doesn't, well that's great too because then he can play football next year. (yea, we have VERY different priorities). But I will print this off so it will give him something at least to think about. Thanks again-- he leaves on the 21st of this month so I will keep yoou posted.</p>

25

<p>This is a little bit off-topic, but its a fantastic opportunity for students interested in study abroad, so I thought I'd post it.
[quote]
12 Full AFS-USA Scholarships for
Summer Language Institute in Egypt</p>

<h2>Seeking Teen Scholars to Live in Cairo and Learn Arabic</h2>

<p>We are writing to inform you of some very exciting news! AFS has been
asked to offer an extraordinary exchange experience in Egypt to
American teenagers. After hosting Youth Exchange and Study (YES)
Scholars from Egypt, who introduced Americans to their language and
culture, U.S. students will now have a chance to experience “real”
life in Egypt and begin learning the Arabic language.</p>

<p>This summer, 12 high school students will be selected to live with an
Egyptian family in Cairo and learn all about their culture and
customs. They will participate in an intensive Arabic language
program from June 28 to August 17, 2006. Along their journey, our
YES Program Returnees will be their guides, accompanied by AFS Egypt
Staff and a US-based program leader.</p>

<p>Applicant Eligibility Requirements</p>

<p>. 15-18 year old male or female</p>

<p>. eager to learn Arabic and continue their language study upon
return to the US</p>

<p>. academic achievement--3.0GPA or above</p>

<p>. outstanding representative of the US</p>

<p>. able to meet cross cultural challenges with maturity, respect, and
humor</p>

<p>. prepared to share their own culture with their Egyptian hosts</p>

<p>While AFS’s normal recruitment period has passed, we are asking for
your help with finding outstanding young people, ready to embrace this
opportunity. To submit a nomination, please download and complete the
following form:
<a href="http://www.cooleremail.net/users/afsdevelop/library52.doc%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.cooleremail.net/users/afsdevelop/library52.doc&lt;/a> and send it
to Karissa Cain in the AFS Admissions Center either by fax:
503.419.9628, or by email at <a href="mailto:karissa.cain@afs.org">karissa.cain@afs.org</a> by April 28, 2006 -<br>
application deadline May 19, 2006.</p>

<p>We do welcome your questions about this scholarship opportunity, so
please feel free to contact Karissa Cain at 1.800.AFS.INFO ext 1546. </p>

<p>Domestic airfare, cost of travel documents, and spending money are not
included in this special scholarship. However all other program
costs, including international airfare, secondary medical coverage,
orientation and on-program expenses, are included. The normal AFS
application fee of $75 will apply.</p>

<p>While in Egypt, the students will be briefed by officials from the
U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Students will receive a thorough orientation
program, both prior to departure and upon arrival in Egypt, as well
as a debriefing at the close of the program. Alongside an intensive
language program, students will have opportunities to interact with
Egyptian parliamentarians, educators, and leaders. Excursions to
Alexandria, the pyramids of Giza and other important historical sites,
will help bring Egypt into its extraordinary historical perspective.

[/quote]
</p>

26

<p>Stoth - Thinking good thoughts for your son this weekend!!!!</p>

<p>Please do report next week how the weekend went. My son didn't make it this far in the competition this year, but hopes to apply again next year. It would be nice to know what to expect if he makes it to the final round next year.</p>

<p>Where in Kansas do you live? We're from Shawnee.</p>

27

<p>Hey 2sonmama--</p>

<p>My son will hear tomorrow (Wed.) if he made the cut. He said it was the most intense weekend he had ever spent. He was REALLY beat--but we also live three hours from the airport (we live in Colby) and he had to drive himself and navigate the Denver airport and all so was a little stressed about that as well. </p>

<p>Anyway--he said that they really didn't interview as such--mainly had lots of group activities where they observed how well the students interacted, who took leadership roles, who just sat back and watched. They had some alums. who told him that the point was to see how they reacted out of their comfort zone. They also spent a lot of time just listening to rules and regulations about the program itself and presented a lot of worst case scenarios just so the students will know that going over for a year will be a lot of work, not to mention a big adjustment. In other words, if any of the students had any doubts at all, they needed get out now.</p>

<p>He did mention that many of the students were graduating seniors and one of the leaders told him that they tend to accept the older students, I suppose due to maturity, but they also have a tendency to back out once they find that they were accepted to that certain school or was awarded that certain scholarship. So--with that in mind, he felt like he had a pretty good shot at it. I hope so. I think he said that there were three other Kansas students--two from Hays and one fromTopeka. I think they ranged all the way from Texas to California. </p>

<p>Anyway--I will let you know tomorrow. And thank you so much for your warm wishes and interest.</p>

28

<p>Good luck to your son!! </p>

<p>Also, I was just wondering--did you have to pay for your flight to attend this weekend? That seems like a shame!</p>

29

<p>No, he didn't have to pay. He wouldn't have gone if he had. They asked for the nearest airport and sent him a ticket. I think he stayed at a Kiwanis campsite. He said it was pretty nice. I'll let you know what tomorrow brings.</p>

30

<p>Any news yet, Stoth? I'm hoping no news is good news!</p>

31

<p>No--no news yet. Of course, we were all kinda down in the dumps last night but this morning my son said that he recieved an email last night that said that the results would probably not be emailed until today or tomorrow. Ewww--I hate this waiting game. BUT--you'll be the first to know when I find out--well, maybe the second. Again--thanks for your thoughts--</p>

32

<p>The big news is--we are going to Germany next year! At least my son is. It is a good thing, seriously, our high school is falling apart--at least nine out of about 25 teachers have put in resignations. Anyway--we are all real excited. Thanks again for all the thoughts and well wishes.</p>

33

<p>Congratulations to you all! No doubt it will be a wonderful experience for him. </p>

<p>Will he have to take his senior year when he returns, or can he finish any required credits before he goes? If my son decides to apply again next year (his junior year), he would plan to take US Govt. and English 12 during summer school so that he could start college as soon as he returned from Germany.</p>

<p>I hope you'll start a thread on the parent's board next year to tell us a bit about his experiences - or PM me as I'd love to hear more about it.</p>

34

<p>Congrats to you and your son!!
Hopefully I'll see him sometime over there in Germany next year!!</p>

35

<p>calmom -- </p>

<p>I just wanted to thank you for posting the information on the AFS opportunity to study Arabic in Egypt.</p>

<p>He recieved a FEDEX letter today and he was selected for the scholarship.</p>

<p>He is positively thrilled and we would have never known about the opportunity it is had not been for you.</p>

<p>I love the information that is available on CC and I think that the information I learn here will make a huge difference in my kids lives!</p>

<p>Stef</p>

36

<p>Stef, thanks for posting! I am delighted that a cc'er will be going to Egypt this summer! It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for your son. My son did an AFS summer foreign exchange when he was in high school -- it was a great experience for him and AFS was wonderful to work with. I am sure that your son will have the experience of a lifetime.</p>

37

<p>Student Year Abroad (SYA) runs phenomenal programs in China, Spain, Italy (focus on Latin) and France. I'ts run by Phillips Andover but takes applicants from everywhere. Great mix of kids from publics and privates. You attend the entire school year and there are several major trips within your country built in. Math is taught in english! The host families are great and there's a lot of effort to integrate kids into local schools and ECs. It's expensive ($40,000) but offers lots of aid.</p>

38

<p>suze -- </p>

<p>Thanks for the info!</p>

<p>My son is planning on applying for the SYA China program for the 2007-2208 school year. He was accepted into a program in India for that same year, but the financial aid was not enough to let him go. I have heard wonderful things about the SYA program -- and when I talked to the office, they said that several of the kids are on full financial assistance. That was great news to us!</p>

39

<p>That's extremely expensive for a high school year abroad. AFS & YFU run about $10K for a full year -- around $4000 for a summer program, around $8000 for a semester abroad. </p>

<p>My daughter went with YFU and of course her math class and everything other than her English class were taught in Russian.... but she certainly got the benefit of full immersion. </p>

<p>For those on a really tight budget, Rotary is generally the way to go - though there are scholarships available for study in Germany & Japan via AFS/YFU.</p>

40

<p>Calmom -- </p>

<p>I think what we have decided (since he is determined to study abroad) is that he is going to apply to several programs and then select the one that works best (amoung the ones he is admitted to).</p>

<p>We qualify for financial need without any problems (my EFC at school is $0) but not everyone has good FA awards.</p>

<p>His plans are to apply for a rotary exchange ($3500 set fee in our area), an AFS exchange, the SYA program and keep the SAGE program as a backup. </p>

<p>He was really wanting to travel to India and spend the year there (that was the SAGE program) but the financial aid did not come through like we thought (we were told something different). The year in India would end up being about $9500 with the financial aid award. My son works a job, but really only makes ~$150 a month and he would have to pay for the majority of the trip -- so unless grandparents step in to help, it won't happen.</p>

<p>It is great to be able to read the threads here on cc and find out all these programs -- I had never heard of most of them before.</p>

<p>stef</p>