Exchange Year in the USA – Become a High School Exchange Student

Are you dreaming of going on an exchange year in the USA? As a high school student in the USA, you quickly realize that much of what you've seen in movies is actually true. You will experience High School spirit, cheerleaders, and the iconic yellow school buses.

An exchange year in the USA is your chance to truly immerse yourself in American culture. As an exchange student in the USA, you will make lots of new friends and experience things you've only dreamed of. Additionally, you'll learn to speak fluent English during your time there.

This is the land of opportunities. Living in the USA for a whole year is a fantastic experience – seize the chance!

Our Exchange Programs in the USA

How to become an exchange student in the USA?

To become an exchange student in the USA, you need to follow these steps:

1. Submit an application. The application is not binding.
2. Schedule a free and non-binding interview with us. You are also welcome to attend an informational meeting, where we will explain more about going on an exchange year in the USA.
3. You will be offered a preliminary place in the program, receive our agreement, and pay the application fee. Then you pay for the exchange year according to a predetermined payment plan.
4. The application process begins. This is where you tell us about yourself, provide your previous grades, do a medical exam and more. We are here to offer tips and advice!
5. Now we wait for the decision on admission from the school. During this time, we will also look for a suitable host family that lives near the school you’ve chosen. Final approval is also given from the American school authorities.
6. Visa preparation begins. We’ll let you know when it’s time to apply for a visa and provide you with instructions and the documents you need.
7. Now it's time to attend our departure meeting, where you will receive details on everything you need to know for your exchange year.
8. Time to go!

During your stay, we are always available for you, 24/7! Detailed information about the application process can be found here.

How much does it cost to be an exchange student in the USA?

As an exchange student, there are certain costs that you and your family need to cover. This includes the cost of insurance, visas, toiletries, any trips you want to take, leisure activities and pocket money.

The amount of money needed per month is individual to you, depending on what you want to do and your lifestyle. We recommend having at least 400 USD per month and a buffer of around 800 USD so that you are secure in case of unexpected expenses.

See the full list of additional costs here.

Do you have the right age for High School?

To be an exchange student in the USA through STS, you need to be between 15-18.5 years old at the start of the exchange year.

Most exchange students are placed in high school grades Junior or Senior. The group you are placed in depends on age, grades, English proficiency, and the local school's rules.

Learn more about ages and grades in the American school system below.

The American School System

Elementary school and Middle school cover grades for students between 6-14 years old, corresponding to grades 1-8. High school covers grades 9-12, and students are generally between 14-18 years old. High school students are divided into four groups: Freshmen,Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.

During high school years, students often choose their own courses, including core subjects and electives. School terms in the USA start between August and September and end in May and June. School hours are typically around 37 hours per week.

Being an exchange student in the USA

As an exchange student in the USA, school plays a central role. You have significant freedom in choosing subjects. A couple of subjects, such as English and mathematics, are usually mandatory. In addition to these, there are plenty of fun courses to choose from, called electives.

Together with a school counselor, you create a personalized schedule. American school lessons are often interactive and include practical elements like experiments and workshops.

What to do in the USA during your free time?

In your free time, you get the chance to explore your new city. Take the opportunity to go bowling with friends, attend an American football game, or why not take part in community service? Regardless of where you are in the USA, there are plenty of exciting things to do and discover.

We at STS also offer several trips for our exchange students in the USA. Do you want to travel to Washington D.C. or Disney World in Florida? With our trips, you have the opportunity to experience more of the country with other exchange students.

Which trips you can go on depends on where in the USA you are staying.

Living with a Host Family

When you live with one of our carefully selected host families, you experience a typical American life. They will do their utmost to make you feel like part of the family. You'll participate in various everyday tasks, and they will show you their favorite places. You'll also meet their friends and relatives. Perhaps there will be weekend mornings in the shopping mall, a barbecue with neighbors, or a camping trip with your host siblings. Regardless of what it is, you will have a great time together throughout your year.

The cost of an exchange year varies depending on the program you choose, how long you choose to be away, and any optional add-ons. See the table below for the starting prices of our Classic program.

If you want our Select program, contact us for more accurate price information as the choice of school and location determines the price.

See what is included in our prices here.

Feel free to reach out if you are interested in a shorter program than 5 months; in most cases, it can be arranged.