<p>I am going to be in my sophomore year of HS next year. Right now, I have this thing for languages, and am thinking about studying abroad in France or Germany in my junior year. </p>
<li>Is junior year this a good time for it? As in, right before applying to colleges and all.</li>
<li>What programs are available and how can I get high school credit? Scholarships? </li>
<li>I am taking French in HS now. Should I study in France to make my French better or in a different country to learn a totally different thing?</li>
<li>Will this look good when I apply to colleges?</li>
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<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
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<li> Yes, it is probably the best time if you do it in highschool</li>
<li> Look at programs like AFS, AIFS, and others. There are some special scholarship programs like the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange in Germany. I almost applied for that but decided not to go abroad. It is very competitive.<br></li>
<li> HS languages are basically zero, so it doesn't really matter. If you go anywhere, it will be SOO hard to communicate for at least a month, or more. It would be best to study a language a little bit before you go.</li>
<li> Yes, there aren't many things that could help you more in terms of admissions.</li>
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<p>Ask me more if you need to. I have not gone abroad during the academic year, but have gone during the summer, so I have some experience</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>If you want to practice French, you could always just go to Quebec.</p>
<p>European French and Candian French aren't the same.</p>
<p>Of course not, but it still would be a good place to practice your French skills.</p>
<p>I would never want to study abroad. I suppose it would help a lot in learning the language through immersion, but the experience does not seem like it would be much fun.</p>
<p>I think going abroad is all about overcoming your fears. For the first month or so, it will be one of the most terrible experiences of your life. It is so hard not to be able to communicate! But after you develop a small bit of language, you meet really cool people, and learn amazing things, and see amazing things, it will become the best thing you ever did.</p>
<p>Hi! Check out <a href="http://www.cultures-shocked.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.cultures-shocked.org/</a> :D </p>
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<li><p>Personally, I'm doing senior year because it's more convenient just to graduate early, but there are pros and cons for each. Junior/senior year are best because you're more mature by then (hopefully).</p></li>
<li><p>Look into AFS, AIFS, CIEE, Ayusa/Intrax, ASSE, YFU, and SYA. The first five are similar, but SYA is completely different. Since you are interested in French, SYA could fit for you. The Congress Bundestag scholarship is definitely something to look into if you're interested in Germany...I'm applying for 08-09. :) Each of the programs I listed also has a few scholarships you can apply for, particularly YFU. Oh, and check out your local Rotary Club as well - they probably have RYE (Rotary Youth Exchange).</p></li>
<li><p>Either way; it's your decision. There's lots of personal factors to consider in that decision so I can't answer that question for you. Whatever you choose, start learning the language in earnest as soon as you know where you're going.</p></li>
<li><p>All signs point to yes - especially if you receive a scholarship or go through Rotary/possibly SYA, but since I'm not an adcom, who knows? It does demonstrate willingness to challenge yourself and take risks, which is what all colleges seem to want.</p></li>
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<p>I almost submitted the Intrax application to go to Germany. (I chickened out at the last minute... :( ) Their program seems to be very good and it was cheaper than most. AFS is by far the most expensive program. Make sure you do a lot of research on the programs. You don't want to be stuck in some program where they will not support you at all when you get there.</p>
<p>Oh yes, AVOID Two World United.</p>
<p>Wow! Thanks for all the replies. They were quite helpful.</p>
<p>I looked into SYA, and it sounds really interesting. I like how English and Math are taught in English, while everything else is done in French. Plus, you can take the SATs there... which answers one of those questions I had in my head. However, it's nearly $40,000 a year. I couldn't find any prices on AFS, so if anyone knows... ;)</p>
<p>SYA has really good financial aid. I suggest you apply to more than one program.</p>
<p>Woah! $40,000 a year??? AFS costs around 8,000 i think, and Intrax was lower, maybe $5,000. I don't think you want to go to a school specifically for exchange students. You want to go to a normal school in another country. At least, that would be more interesting for me.</p>
<p>There are pros and cons to each program (local school vs. exchange school). Look at and consider everything; if necessary, apply to multiple programs like Jonathan said. I could've sworn all of AFS's prices were online, but I just looked and I can't find them either. So, I'll just type the prices off from the brochure they sent me (you can request one too): </p>
<p>France (year): $9795
*limited number of placements for vegetarians
*fills quickly, so apply early or you may be placed on a waiting list</p>
<p>Germany (year): $9095</p>
<p>Aww you guys make me want to go to school in France.</p>
<p>Je parle un peu francais, mais je le comprends quand ils parlent. L'ecriture est facile pour moi. Mon parler est ok...</p>
<p>I hope that's right.. I don't have accents..:-</p>
<p>I like the idea of total immersion, but I'm worried about getting back on track senior year. I really doubt it'll be possible to make a dent in the schoolwork because I'll probably be too busy figuring out what the teacher's saying. ;) Cool, and all... but I don't think the grade will look good on my transcript. Surely admissions takes this into account? I'm going to look more into AFS... thinking about applying there along with AYS. It all depends on the fin. aid. for AYS, because there's no way my family's going to fork out 40 grand. </p>
<p>Any personal experiences anyone?</p>
<p>Colleges Should take it into consideration...Maybe you can take the classes pass/fail? You'll have to talk to your school to find out what is involved regarding credit; you might have to take a few online/summer school/extra classes. Or maybe not.</p>