FAQs

Going on a high school student exchange program helps you grow personally, experience a new culture and improve your language skills while building confidence, independence and lifelong friendships.

It’s an amazing opportunity to learn about yourself, a different country and culture, as well as to learn a new language or practise your foreign language skills.

Immersed in the culture and language of your chosen destination, you will live as a member of your host family, attend the local secondary school and participate in everyday community life.

By the end of the program, you will have gained new friends and a second family, improved your language skills and expanded your horizons. The exchange experience is very rewarding but also very challenging, and it can benefit your future education and career opportunities.

Learn more on the Student Exchange Programs page.

Yes, you can choose your preferred destination country for your high school student exchange program, and we work with our trusted partners to organise your placement, school and host family.

Just choose the destination you are most interested in and we will take care of all the details and make your dream come true.

Learn more on the Student Exchange Programs page.

You don’t need to be fluent in the local language to go on a high school student exchange program, but knowing the basics helps you settle in more quickly.

There are no formal language requirements for our destination countries. However, as you will be attending a school and living with a local family, we strongly recommend that you know the basics of the language.

Possessing some language skills will enable you to interact with people more easily and generally make your visit more comfortable and enjoyable. More importantly, your level of motivation and enthusiasm as well as your willingness to learn and embrace a different culture will all contribute to your experience.

Learn more on the Student Exchange Programs page.

You can tell us your preferred city or region for your high school exchange program, and some destinations offer a Select Program that allows you to choose a specific area.

We will always do our best to consider your preference, but placements depend on host family availability and suitability, so the location cannot be guaranteed.

Students are matched and placed with families from across the destination country.

We prioritise the things you and the host family have in common over the specific location. To make the most of your program, it’s important to be flexible and open-minded.

Learn more on the Student Exchange Programs page.

During your exchange, you will live with a host family and become part of their everyday life, sharing the same privileges and responsibilities as other family members. You will not be considered a guest or tourist but a contributing, valued member of the family.

It’s important to adjust your behaviour, follow household rules and respect the values and priorities of your host family.

Learn more on the Hosting page.

Your family is not required to host an exchange student while you’re on your program.

However, welcoming an exchange student into your home is a great way to connect with a new culture, and hosting a student allows you to share your family’s traditions.

If you are considering going on an exchange, it can be an excellent opportunity to learn how significant this experience is for the student and the host family.

Visit our Hosting page to find out more.

Host families come in many forms but undergo interviews, background checks and home visits to meet Australian child-safety standards.

They might be similar or very different to your family. Host families can be parents with teenage children, single parents, families without children, an older couple whose children have already grown up or same-sex couples. Whatever size or shape, the host families are open to receiving a student from overseas and sharing the student’s learning experience.

Learn more about our safety commitment and approach on our About page

You may apply for the same destination, but you cannot live with the same host family to ensure cultural immersion.

In our programs, host families are not allowed to host two students from the same nationality at the same time.

We have this rule to encourage our students to make the most of their experience and really immerse themselves in the culture to develop their language skills, make new friends and connect to the new community where they are living.

Learn more about how our student exchange programs work.

If you want to apply for a high school student exchange program, you’re welcome to call us on (08) 8379 5726 or send an email to [email protected] or to express your interest on our website here.

Once you have expressed interest, we will contact you to explain the program in further detail and assist you with the application process.

Learn more about how to apply on our How to Apply page.

 

No, you cannot travel alone during your exchange program. You may only travel with your host family, school groups, or approved supervisors.

As a minor living in a foreign country, you are under the responsibility of your host family and they have a duty of care toward you. You may have the opportunity to travel with your host family on holidays or weekend trips, or on a school excursion, but you are not allowed to travel without the supervision of those responsible for you.

Learn more about our program structure and safety policies
See how our student exchange programs work.

In some cases you may be able to extend your stay after you finish your exchange program, but it depends on your age and your family’s travel plans.

There are two scenarios where it may be possible to extend your stay. The first one would be if your parents join you after the program is over and you then travel with your family. The second would be if you turn 18 years old overseas, meaning you would be legally capable to travel by yourself.

However, for this last option to happen, we need to organise all documents and release forms with your family and our agents beforehand.

See how our student exchange programs work.

Every student has 24/7 support from a local coordinator. They are trained to assist you with any difficulties you may have while on exchange.

If you have an issue, you can contact your local coordinator for help. You must raise your concerns and struggles, even if you think they are not serious, with your local coordinator so they can help you. They are in place to support you and communicate with our international partner to work through any issues.

We encourage you to keep an open mind and understand that the culture and customs might differ from what you are used to. If the issues cannot be solved, we will move you to a different host family as a last resort.

Learn more about our support structure and team on our About page.

In some countries you may be able to stay with relatives or a family you already know, but this depends on the destination and must be checked case-by-case.

Students of the World can work with you to arrange this option, and the family will still need to complete all required safety checks. Our team also organises school enrolment, insurance and flights as part of the process.

Contact us and we can confirm whether this is possible in your chosen host country.

Visa requirements depend on your destination and the length of your high school exchange program, and if a visa is required, we guide you to start the application process.

In many European Union countries, a visa is not required for short programs under 90 days. For programs longer than three months, a visa may be necessary. If you do need a visa, we will help you begin the application process and ensure you understand the steps involved. Visa costs are not included in the program fee.

Learn more about program lengths and destinations on our Student Exchange Programs page.

For general visa and entry information, visit Smartraveller’s visa guidance page.

While program dates are set, some destinations may offer some flexibility. Additional fees may apply.

We always do our best to understand your preferred timing, and in some cases we can discuss options with our partner organisations. Please contact us to discuss your plans.

 

It depends. Some schools allow continuation, especially for short programs. Speak with your school early.

This decision is made in consultation with your school or education authority and your parents.

It is essential to speak with your school early in the process about how being an exchange student will impact your enrolment. This may differ depending on whether you participate in a short or long program.

For students who do have to repeat, they are so excited to have returned from living overseas it is not an issue. Your time window to go on exchange is limited!

Learn more about timing and application steps on our How to Apply page.

You’ll receive 24/7 support from a trained local coordinator as well as ongoing assistance from our Australian team.

The local coordinator is available to help with any questions or challenges during your high school student exchange, and they stay in regular contact with both you and your host family to ensure everything is going well. If you experience cultural or personal difficulties, your coordinator can guide you through them and communicate with our partner organisations when needed. If an issue cannot be resolved, we will work with you to find an appropriate solution.

Learn more about our support structure and team 

Shorter high school exchange programs aren’t significantly cheaper because they involve the same staffing, safety checks, placement work and support as longer programs.

Some short programs also run during peak airfare seasons, which can increase overall costs. Regardless of the program length, our Australian and overseas teams complete the same requirements for selection, host family placement, bookings, coordination and ongoing support. For this reason, the price difference between short and long programs is often minimal.

Learn more about how program lengths and destinations work on our Student Exchange Programs page.

Visits during your high school exchange program are usually discouraged, but some destinations may allow visits at the end of the program. Please contact us before making any plans.

Families often feel excited and may want to visit while you’re overseas, but most of our international partners do not allow family visits during the program, as they can interrupt your cultural immersion and affect the host family’s experience. Some destinations may permit a visit at the end of the program, and exceptions can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If your family would like to visit, please speak with us first so we can advise you on what is possible for your chosen destination.

Contact us to discuss your family’s plans before arranging travel.

Students typically need around $500–$600 per month during their high school student exchange to cover personal expenses, local transport, school lunches and social activities.

Learn more about our Student Exchange Programs

We usually recommend students submit their application as early as possible to ensure they are suitable for the program and fulfil all of the requirements.

We can then prepare all the necessary documentation and plan the whole exchange program in conjunction with your school and our partner agents.

In some destinations it may be possible to extend your high school exchange program, depending on visa requirements and availability, and additional fees will apply.

If you would like to extend your stay, please let us know before the end of your program so we have enough time to organise the necessary arrangements. Extensions may require changes to flights, visas and coordination with our partner organisations.

Contact us to discuss extension options for your destination.

Yes. For selected destinations, we offer chaperoned flights where a team member travels with the group from Australia. This extra support helps students feel calm and confident during check-in, boarding, stopovers and transfers. It is an important part of ensuring a smooth and well-supported start to their High School Student Exchange journey. When a student travels alone, we prepare them with a clear plan so they know exactly what to expect.

Anyone who meets child-safety requirements and is willing to welcome a High School Exchange Student into their home can become a host family.

Our host families come in all shapes, sizes and backgrounds. They can be parents with children, single parents, families without children, an older couple whose children have already grown up or same sex-couples. Whatever size or shape, as long as the host families are open to receiving a student from overseas and sharing their home and hearts, they will be considered for the role.

Learn more on the Hosting page.

Host families must pass safety checks, working with children checks, interviews, reference checks, and a home visit to ensure a safe environment for the exchange student.

We also require the adults within the family to read and adhere to our child safety policies, procedures and code of conduct. These procedures are in place to comply with our child safe policies. The house visit is also a great way for our staff members to get to know your family and answer any questions you might have.

Learn more on the Hosting page. You can also find additional information about our child-safety commitments on the About page.

Contact us through our online form or contact our team on +61 8 8379 5726. We will guide you through the full application process.

Most exchange students speak and understand English quite well.

However, as a non-native speaker, they might need some occasional help and count on your patience at the beginning, while they get used to speaking and hearing Australian English.

Learn more on the Hosting page.

Yes, you can review student profiles and choose the exchange student who best suits your family.

Once we have details about your family profile, interests and hosting preferences, we will send you a few student profiles that could be suitable. In their profile you will find their first name, any special requirements, hobbies and a letter they have written to their prospective host family. This information can help you select the student you think will best fit into your family.

Learn more on the Hosting page.

Host families provide a safe home, meals, guidance and support, just as they would for their own children.

Your responsibility is to welcome the exchange student into your home as a member of your family and provide the same care and support you would give to your own children.

Exchange students should have their own bed and their own bedroom if possible. If necessary, they can share a bedroom with a sibling of the same gender and a similar age, provided both children are comfortable with this arrangement.

Exchange students are expected to help with simple chores, follow a curfew and respect household rules.

Learn more on the Hosting page. You can also find additional information about our child-safety commitments on the About page.

Yes, all exchange students have comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the duration of their stay.

Host families are not expected to include exchange students in their own insurance policies.

Learn more on the Hosting page. You can also find additional information about our child-safety commitments on the About page.

Exchange students may feel shy, tired or homesick at first. Communication, patience and support help them settle in.

It usually only takes a few days until they feel comfortable around the house. The language barrier can be a challenge, especially at the beginning, but as the student becomes more comfortable with listening and speaking English, communication will improve. Don’t forget that the students may also be suffering from jet lag when they arrive, and need some time to adjust to the new time zone and climate.

Due to cultural differences, sometimes cooking for the student can be a challenge. We always encourage discussions surrounding this, and even encouraging the student to help in the kitchen can work well. Both student and host family should keep an open mind with trying new cuisines.

It is quite common for the student to feel homesick at times. They might need some extra care and support to get through these feelings.

Although we match host families and students based on interests, personalities etc, occasionally the student might not get along with a member of the host family. Most of these cases can be resolved with a discussion and assistance from Students of the World. If the issue cannot be resolved, we would then work toward moving the student to another host family.

Learn more on the Hosting page. You can also find additional information about our child-safety commitments on the About page.

Host families receive full support from our team, including regular check-ins and a 24/7 emergency line.

Students of the World provides host families and exchange students with full support for the entire hosting period.

We contact both the host family and the student to make sure everyone is having a positive experience. We also have a 24-hour emergency phone and are always available to help with any difficulties that might arise.

Learn more on the Hosting page. You can also find additional information about our child-safety commitments on the About page.

Yes, as long as students are from different nationalities. If they are different genders, they will require their own bedroom. If they are the same gender, they can share as long as they have their own bed and are no more than 2 years apart in age.

Learn more on the Hosting page. You can also find additional information about our child-safety commitments on the About page.

Exchange students attend a local secondary school near your home, and we assist with the enrolment process.

Our office can organise the enrolment with the school; however, host families may be asked to help finalise enrolment arrangements and assist the student with purchasing their uniform once they arrive.

Learn more on the Hosting page.

Host families will be provided with a subsidy to offset the cost of hosting a student in line with the National Guidelines, November 2025 update.

This is a support payment intended solely to assist with the cost of living expenses incurred while hosting a student. This payment is not a financial incentive to host.