foreign exchange?

5 Responses to “foreign exchange?”

1. OB Says:
   October 1st, 2008 at 12:12 pm

   If you go to the American School in Berlin, you can study in Germany, but you take classes in English. If you wait until your sophomore year to study abroad, you can live with a family and go to school with German students. AFS offers German programs for sophomores through Post-Graduates. To be eligible for AFS, you must maintain a high school GPA over 2.8.

   Go to for the AFS website.
   Google American School in Berlin to find their website.

2. SUE Says:
   October 4th, 2008 at 12:36 am

   I wouldn’t recommend going on an exchange until you are at least a junior in high school. That’s why they call it a Junior Year Abroad.

   It’s just not a good idea to be that far from your parents and your comfort zone until you are a bit older.

   However, your best bet would be to talk to your guidance office at school, or try searching Study abroad programs
   or exchange study programs.

3. Jennifer C Says:
   October 6th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

   Ninth grade seems pretty early for an exchange program. Most take students in their last or next-to-last year of high school. I’m afraid I’ve not heard of foriegn exchange levle or forigen exchangle levle or even foreign exchange level. Is this a British item?

   Check out Rotary International for information on an excellent exchange program for high school students. I went to Japan through their program (over twenty years ago…), and it put me on the course to the life I’m living now. It was outstanding.

4. Feisty Says:
   October 8th, 2008 at 12:21 am

   Most reputable foreign exchange organizations accept students 15 through 18 1/2. Most likely, as a freshman, you’d be too young. You’re much better off waiting until you are a sophomore (or better yet, a junior).

   However, it is never too early to begin planning — and saving! Most programs are very expensive. You can also learn more German! The more you know, the better off you will be! You can also work with your school on your schedule to make sure you get all your credits and graduate with your class! The earlier you do this, the easier things will be for you!

   If you live in the U.S., to pick a program make sure it’s CSIET certified (go to for a list). You should also check with the high school counselor for a recommendation. An organization is only as good as its local representatives! Generally, AFS, Aspect, Rotary and YFU are reliable everywhere. Rotary is the cheapest, but most competitive.

   For hints and advice from other exchange students, check out

   Good luck!

5. Morgan E Says:
   October 10th, 2008 at 4:18 am

   I agree with what everyone else has been saying. It’s not a good idea to go to another country in 9th grade. And on that note, most scholarships and so forth only are for 10-12. Plus, they require that you must be 15. You need to get a year of American high school before jumping into a German high school. If you go to Germany for your first year and come back, then you wont even know how to function in your school. I have applied to go as a 10th grader, which isn’t much older, but I will be a Junior when I go. Try to CBYX program when you turn 15. Take the time to get your grades up and learn the language. You have to be pretty fluent to get around in daily activities, but most programs will work with you in your language. Don’t rush. You have four years of high school. Plus, you can exchange when you are in college too.

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