The foreign student exchange program boomed after the World War II. Commitments are generally shorter than a year, and may last only 2 months or as long as 6 months. Study abroad and international students are sometimes confused as student exchange programs. Student exchange programs, unlike study abroad programs, last for only as short period of time. International and study abroad programs can last for many years, particularly for foreign students attending college. The foreign student exchange, however, is for children entering high school in the United States. Usually, the foreign student exchange program brings in foreign students to the United States without an American actually moving to the student's country. Government-funded programs are motivated with a hope of improving international relations. Host families and foreign students are encouraged to maintain a long-term friendship. Short-term exchanges often take place in July or August.
Long-term exchanges require students to stay in the host country from anywhere between 6 to 18 month. Foreign students enter American high school with a student visa. Visas may be the F1 or J1 type. Students are instructed to live with their host families and learn the culture of the host family, school life and recreation in the United States. Students are often required to have a basic understanding of the host country's language, such as conversational English in the United States. At the term of their stay, students may be required to prepare a speech or presentation for their supporters in their home countries. These presentations cover the things they've learned while living abroad with their host families, as well as what they've learned from the cultural experience in the home, school and social activities.
The host family has to submit to a criminal background check, with the exception of family members under the age of 18. Host families are volunteers who do not receive any payment for the foreign student exchange program. There may be some families who do receive payment for long-term student exchanges, but it is in the better interest of foreign students to live with a host family that has a positive interest in other cultures.
Applicants from foreign countries who apply for a foreign exchange program may have to wait a few months or longer before being accepted. Typically, it only take four months to get processed. Grade point averages for foreign students have to be at least the equivalent of a 3.0 for some exchange programs. Other programs may be more lenient about the application process. Typically, the foreign exchange student is interviewed as a candidate for a host family upon acceptance of the student's application. The student has a choice of which country to study in, though the exact location is up to the exchange service and the availability of a host family.
Tags: host family, student exchange, foreign student exchange, foreign students, United States, exchange program, exchange programs