LanguesVivantes.com
Program Overview:
- Exchange year or semester in an American High School
- Students stay with volunteer host families
- Open to ages 15-18
Exchange in an American High School
This program, which is available to motivated students aged 15 to 18 who already speak some English, provides the opportunity for students to spend one semester or one year in an American High school, that is, the last 4 years of secondary education. Living with an American host family, students experience and learn the English language and American culture from a real-world perspective. We carefully choose our schools from among the best in the United States, and they all offer academic challenges and social opportunities.A Unique Experience
This program is probably one of the best educational investments that a student can make. As an exchange student, participants live as an adoptive member of their host family. They go to school and discover all the aspects of the daily life of Americans, learning how they live, think, and relax. Students discover the history and surprisingly rich traditional heritage of the United States and have the enriching personal experiences that you won't find in school books. The experience is, as a whole, a powerful linguistic, cultural, and personal enrichment that participants never forget.Furthermore, the students will do 5 hours of voluntary work within the Project Help Community Service Program during their stay. This offers them an excellent opportunity to integrate in the community they live in and to discover other aspects of living in the USA.
American Host Families
The host families are probably the most essential element of an exchange to the United States. For this reason, we select our families with the greatest care and attention to detail. Our host families are all volunteers and choose to welcome exchange students because they wish to share their lifestyles and culture while learning about those of others. After undergoing a rigorous selection process, the families take an active role in choosing the student that they will welcome.We place students across the US, from Maine in the north-east, Texas in the south, or in the mountainous states of the West coast. Students are placed both in large cities and towns in pristine natural environs. No matter where you are placed, however, you will see and experience the real American way from within a welcoming family.
Local Representative
No matter where we place a student, he or she is always near one of our local representatives who knows the host family and keeps in regular contact with students and families. This person meets with students occasionally and generally assures that their stay goes smoothly.Our partner organization in the United States is experienced, reliable, and officially recognized organism in supervising exchange programs.
Flights
On request, we will organize flights to and from the airport nearest your host family in time for the beginning of the school year, usually around the end of August or beginning of January, depending on the length of your stay. Alternatively, you may be able to find more interesting flight prices with your local travel agent. We highly recommend Nouvelles Frontières or Go Voyages if you are in France, or Connections if you are booking from Belgium. Regardless of how you book your flight, our local representative will assure that you are greeted at the airport and that you arrive at your host family.Other Information
Optional Medical Assistance Insurance: During your whole stay you will be covered with comprehensive medical insurance, with a toll free emergency number accessible everywhere in the USA. This insurance package is included in the programme fees.Pre departure information: Before departing for the United States, we will ensure that you receive all the necessary documents for a student's visa. You will also receive a detailed description of your host family, your school and coordinator, as well as a toll-free emergency number to the organization.
Re-integration assistance: We find that, for many students, the hardest part of an exchange is the "reverse culture shock" that they experience when returning to their homes. It is often difficult to re-integrate, especially with a circle of friends who did not share the same experiences. We do our best to prepare students for this hurdle, as well.
Participation requirements
In order to participate in this program, students must:- Be less than 18 1/2 years of age at the beginning of the exchange
- Have a basic knowledge of English (enough to facilitate basic communication, or 3 years at school)
- Have generally good grades for the last 2 years
- Demonstrate motivation, maturity, and adaptability
Application Process
To apply for this program, first download the application form. Fill it out as soon as possible and return it to us at the address listed at the bottom of this page. You will receive a provisional confirmation from us and an appointment for an introductory meeting. Parents are, of course, welcome to attend. At this time we Will interview you to test your level of aural and oral capabilities.While you will not incur an obligation to participate in this program by simply attending the meeting, we will charge a non-refundable 70€ administrative fee that will later be deducted from the cost of the exchange or, if preferred, credited toward another of the programs in our catalogue.
You will find the application deadlines below in the section dates.
Course Costs
Includes all taxes & enrollment fees
| Prices for academic years 08/09 Including courses, room and board as described | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Price | |||||
| 1 year | 6300 € | |||||
| 1 semester | 5700 € | |||||
| Item | Price |
| Departure Paris Marseille Lyon | 350 € |
| International host family | 490 € |
| Option regional selection | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region/State | Price | |||||
| By region | 300 € | |||||
| Individual state | 500 € | |||||
| California/Florida | 750 € | |||||
Fees
Course Fees: The complete fee structure for this program is laid out in the table to the right. Fees include:- Detailed, personalized information about every aspect of your program
- English level test and interview before candidature
- All inscription, dossier and exam fees
- All documents necessary to obtain a visa for the schoolyear
- Inscription formalities at a High School during a semester or schoolyear
- Interview and selection of a voluntary host family
- Return flight to final destination (departure from Brussels)
- Airport greeting and transfer to the host family
- Supervision throughout the year by our regional coordinator
- Accommodation in a voluntary host family, including all meals and washing of clothes
- Medical and assistance insurance
- Personal assistance, constant support and advice by our local correspondent and central American office
- Toll-free emergency hotline, 24 hours on 24
- Insolvency insurance: protects the student in the case of organizational insolvency
- Assistance to parents in Europe throughout the duration of the stay
- Regular contact and evaluation reports
- Official certificate of participation
- Visa fees
- Regional selection (see below)
Dates 2009
Application Deadlines:- Departure January 2009: September 30th 2008
- Departure August 2009: February 20th 2009
- Departure January 2010: September 30th 2009
Option regional selection
Students who wish to stay in a particular region in the United States may specify their destination by region or state. However, due to the greatly increased administrative difficulties involved in finding and placing students in specific regions, we require a supplemental charge for this service. You will find these prices in the price table. The possible locations are the following:- Regions: The West, Rocky Mountain states, Central, East and South.
- Individual states: All states are available, except of Alaska and Hawaii.
- have completed the full application online;
- have paid the deposit;
- have indicated 3 states where you wish to stay on your application form.
If, despite all our efforts, your final placement does not correspond to your given choice (we can not give an absolute guarantee), then we will fully refund the supplement.
Option High School in international host family
This program is for students who wish to spend one school year in a host family which receives 8 to 12 students from all over the world at the same moment. We guarantee that you will be the only representative of your nationality and language. This program takes place in Oregon.The families are financed and selectioned by the local schools. They are used to receiving foreign students and are therefore aware of the needs of the youngsters they receive. Because of the number of students, these families don’t function as traditional families, but they enjoy sharing their meals, homes and lives. Every family has its own way of life, but all of them are glad to welcome foreign students. Some families offer co-ed accommodation where others only receive boys or girls.
This program is offered to students who are motivated, interested in sports, and like to be outside and active.
It offers the following advantages:
- You will be welcomed by a group of friends from all over the world.
- All families are located close to the school.
- The region is ideal for numerous activities like camping, skiing, rafting, walking, etc.
- You will be able to take part in all kinds of sports offered by the school (please note that if you already have your diploma, you can’t participate in the competitions).
