How much does an exchange study cost. How to go to America with an exchange family

What everyone who decides to participate in the international school exchange program needs to know.

Every September, the US Embassy in Moscow officially announces the opening of Russian-American educational programs for the next academic year. Speaking on September 12, 2000, at the solemn ceremony dedicated to the launch of the 2001/2002 programs, the US Ambassador to Russia, Mr. James Collins, proudly announced that schoolchildren, students, graduate students and young graduates, school teachers and university professors, scientists and researchers - about thirty million dollars have been allocated from the American budget. At the same time, 3,000 Russians will be able to become residents of the States for a while (from several weeks to a year). The most massive of these programs is an exchange program for Russian schoolchildren called "Flex". The essence of this program is that students of grades 9 and 10 of Russian Skoda who won the competition will be able to go to the USA absolutely free of charge for a whole year - to live in ordinary American families and study in ordinary public schools.

A bit of history

The idea of international child exchange was born in the United States. The author of the idea is the American Field Service (AFS), a volunteer organization that during the First and Second World Wars saved the wounded on the battlefields, not only their own, but also the enemy. In 1947, AFS first invited 51 students out of 10 different countries(among which were Germany and Japan, very recent enemies!) for a year in the USA. Following the AFS, dozens of non-profit non-governmental foundations were created that professionally deal with international school exchanges. Their founders are famous people and even presidents: Ronald Reagan (AISE, American Foundation for International Student Exchange), Robert Kennedy (AIFS, American Institute for International Studies).

In 1982, student and school exchanges received government status: on behalf of Congress, the program was developed by the US Information Agency (USIA). But in reality, exchanges are carried out, as before, by funds.

Senator Bill Bradley discovered America

In 1992, at the initiative of Senator Bill Bradley, who declared that the ideas of democracy and free economy in the republics of the former Soviet Union can only be truly understood by young minds, the Freedom Act program was adopted. School exchanges have become integral part act. The program is entirely funded by the US government: the participants are paid for their travel to the US and back, medical insurance, and a stipend ($100 per month). Participants are selected in an open competition, which is held throughout Russia (in some years, the number of Russian cities where the competition was held reached 70). Pupils of 9th and 10th grades can participate in the competition. The main selection criteria are bright leadership qualities, independence, communication skills.

The competition is held in 3 rounds. At the first round, they give out a list of questions with answer options: you need to choose the right one and put a cross next to it. The main thing here is knowledge of everyday, everyday vocabulary. In the second round, the questions are more difficult: in addition, you need to write several essays. These essays are not like those that are asked at school, it is important here to express your own attitude to the question posed. According to these compositions, the personality of the contestant is judged, his ability to survive - in unusual conditions and despite numerous difficulties. Admitted to the third round, you must bring with you a questionnaire filled out at home, take part in role playing(tested communication skills, ability to work in a group, make quick decisions), then go through a personal interview in Russian (conducted by employees Russian Ministry education) and English (conducted by the Americans). Some indulgence is made for children from the outback: it is more difficult for them to learn the language, sometimes there are teachers of English language does not happen for a long time. The final decision on which of the finalists will be among the participants in the program, who will be in the reserve, is made in Washington and becomes known after April 15.

The success of the program depends on how the student and the host family - host family - fit together. American funds are engaged in family selection: teachers and psychologists develop detailed questionnaires to find out what the future participant of the program has inquiries and hobbies, where his parents work, whether he is the only child in the family, and so on. American families that accept "exchange" schoolchildren do it absolutely disinterestedly - under the terms of the program, they are entitled to only some tax benefits, and the cost of maintaining a child is clearly higher. These families are driven by an interest in a foreign culture, as well as an understandable, in general, desire to provide hospitality and patronage to someone. Grandparents, families with small and adult children, single parents take on the difficult task of raising a Russian teenager and most often cope with it. Although not without problems - and here's why. In the great years of America, it is no longer easy to find a volunteer family, interest in Russians has faded there. It is easier to find people who are ready to accept a teenager from Russia in villages and small towns, where the population is homogeneous and foreigners, especially Russians, have never been seen before. And among the "exchange" schoolchildren, the majority, on the contrary, are residents of large cities. And then our child ends up in a family of farmers, in a village, from where "civilization" - cinema, discos, classmates - can only be reached by car. And the participants of the program cannot drive a car, even if they have a driver's license. The first two weeks of festive excitement after arrival pass, workdays begin. Family members are always busy with something, and it is not clear what to talk about with them. Boring.

It happens that American "brothers" and "sisters" (that's how they are officially called in exchange programs) are jealous of a foreign student who suddenly became a new member of the family, and in every possible way try to complicate his already difficult life.

There are also quite ridiculous situations. The American family complained that a girl who came to them from Krasnoyarsk asked several times for alcohol or vodka, she is an obvious alcoholic, she should be sent home immediately. Thank God, the program coordinator found out everything and reconciled everyone. It turns out that alcohol was needed to fight youthful pimples, the girl simply did not know about the existence of special lotions.

What can be advised here? A schoolchild - to make every effort to make friends with foster parents, brothers and sisters. Don't lock yourself in. And also - respect the traditions of the family and the rules of conduct adopted in it. And the parents of the student (not American adoptive, but real, Russian) should be patient. Even if a child complains that everyone around is evil, that it is cold in the house and it is impossible to fall asleep, and there are only fools at school, you should not immediately sound the alarm: most likely, he just misses home. Everything will gradually settle down. If, however, "I found a scythe on a stone" and relations with the foster family do not add up, you need to contact the regional coordinator. His task is to understand the causes of the conflict and try to settle everything. He (or the regional chancellor) can change the student's family. Or maybe send him home - if he decides that the cause of the conflict is in himself and the change of family will not correct the situation.

The American school is very little like ours. In Russia, children from 6 to 17 years old go to the same school, but in the USA they go to different ones: first to the junior, then to the middle, then to the senior - high school, which covers the last four classes, from 9th to 12th th, and where, in fact, foreigners who came on an exchange get to. Classes in an American school start early, you can’t skip and be late. An American will be punished for this, and an "exchange student" for this, as well as for cheating, can be immediately excluded from the program and sent home. Before the start of the lessons - something like a pioneer line, in which everyone salutes the US flag. The upbringing of a citizen of a great country, an independent person who recognizes himself as a part of a single American nation, is the pivotal moment of all American school programs, and "exchange" students naturally fall under this comb.

There are many school programs in the USA. There is no (unlike Russia and most European countries) a single curriculum. Required subjects in high school - mathematics (choice of algebra, geometry or trigonometry), one of the subjects of the natural cycle (physics, chemistry or biology), English, a foreign language (usually Spanish or French), US history. At least one more subject must be "taken" by choice: computer, economics, English or world literature, photography, drawing, choir, drama ... There are schools where dozens of courses are offered to choose from. In many schools, subjects, both compulsory and optional, can be "taken" both at the ordinary and at a more serious, "advanced" level. Therefore, there is no class in the Russian sense (a single composition of students in each lesson) in an American school. After the morning line, classmates disperse to different audiences. Many of the Russian children who have studied in the USA assure that it is both easier and more interesting to study there - there are a lot of computers, all sorts of devices for experiments, lessons often take the form of discussions or games. But it is important for "exchange" schoolchildren to understand right away: Americans can study poorly at school, but you should by no means. Those who fail will be assigned a trial period (from a week to a month) to catch up. If it doesn't work, they'll send you home. So, when deciding whether to go or not to go to the USA, and then, choosing school subjects, you need to realistically assess your own strengths.

Our schoolchildren in the American school are especially amazed not even by saluting the flag (and we had it), not by the opportunity to choose disciplines that are interesting and useful for their future careers (they say we will have this soon), but by the fact that healthy children study together in the USA , and the disabled. They try to create all the conditions for the disabled - special transport, parking, toilets. Moreover, mentally retarded children go to ordinary schools - of course, there are special classes for them, but they, along with everyone else, participate in the life of the school. By the way, Russian visually impaired, hearing impaired and those with movement disorders can also take part in the program, a competition is also held for them.

Charity is included in the school programs of all US states. Each high school student, in order to receive a high school diploma, is required to work at least 100 hours in the field of charity: in charity canteens, in nursing homes, helping lagging classmates with lessons, sorting out the school archive or cleaning up garbage around the school - this is what you like and what you can do.

Under the terms of the program, "exchange" students do not have the right to work, and a scholarship - a hundred dollars a month - is very small money for the United States. As a rule, you always manage to find some kind of side job: baby sitter, Russian language lessons or, for example, mathematics, orders for homemade cakes. It is customary to pay for such work in cash, and this is not considered real work, so the student does not violate any laws, and earns money for pocket expenses, for school excursions. Many schools have centers that accept orders for such work.

Those who did not win will have to look for money

In addition to the free program, there are similar paid ones (the usual price is from 4,000 to 8,000 dollars per academic year, the academic semester costs a little less). They are held by the same funds and are regulated by the same rules. Russian teenagers are recruited for such programs either by Russian representative offices of American foundations, or by Russian educational agencies cooperating with these foundations. Different funds have their own advantages. For example, the scale and wealth of foundations such as AFS, AIFS or Youth for Understanding allow them to have a huge selection of schools and host families across America, hold grandiose meetings-forums for "exchange" students from all over the planet, have a huge staff of regional coordinators and chancellors. Smaller foundations usually only work in one state, know the schools and families they work with better, and are more likely to treat each individual child more closely. In addition, in small funds, the requirements for the level of English of program participants are lower. Another very important difference is the less stringent age requirements. AT paid program everyone who is not younger than 15 and not older than 18 years old can take part (some funds raise the upper bar to 18.5 years). Thus, the program is also open to those who have already received a matriculation certificate. The leaders of all non-governmental foundations and educational firms with whom your correspondent spoke unanimously declared that exchanges are the most difficult of all educational programs, and the older the participant, the better. In addition, a graduate of a Russian school, especially if he studied well and is strong in English, has a real chance of getting a diploma from an American school - this, however, is not provided for by the rules, but in practice it happens quite often. It is often possible to pass certification exams in the USA: in English (TOEFL) and academic (SAT1 and SAT2).

Foreign students going to the US - and students in the West are called all who study, including schoolchildren - most often receive one of two visas: J1 or F1. J1 is a visa for those who travel to the United States on various cultural exchange programs, and "exchange" students also travel on it. J1 is a single entry visa. Its owner must be in the country for the entire academic year. But it is impossible to go home or to another country on vacation, even if you really want to and have money for it. There is another limitation. Exchange participants must return home immediately after the end of the program, this is a rule established by the USIA. In principle, while still in the United States, you can try to change the status of a visa, that is, change the exchange J1 to a student P1 (it can be both single-entry and multiple: in addition, the P1 visa is extended as long as the foreigner is studying in any educational institution).

So, what, besides satisfying understandable curiosity, does participation in the program give a person? Is it only excellent knowledge of English? Of course not. Firstly, this is an opportunity for a teenager to test himself and believe in himself. In a foreign country, far from his parents, he is forced to rely only on himself. He learns to spend money carefully, get along with people, restrain himself, independently look for a way out of a variety of life situations. As a result, the child becomes an adult who has seen the world. Even if this is the only result of the efforts expended, there is already a lot.

Natalia Ginzburg

Studying in the USA gives schoolchildren and students great opportunities. Acquaintance with a new country, immersion in the language environment and culture contributes to a significant expansion of horizons. Perhaps you think that only the rich can afford to send their child to study abroad. The unequivocal answer is no.

This program includes 56 countries, including Russia. AFS is for 15-18 year olds. Schoolchildren are placed in ordinary American families, for the duration of their stay they are conditionally a member of it and go to the nearest school. All program participants are volunteers, including families with children, they are not paid anything for this.

If you decide to send your child to the USA, do not worry that you will have to host an American student at home. Cultural exchange takes place between countries, not families change children. When participating in the project, the child cannot live with relatives only in the family defined for him.

The host family is obliged to provide the child with comfortable accommodation. If the family has a child of the opposite sex, provide a separate bedroom. Cohabitation is possible with same-sex couples. In addition, the host country must provide the child with good nutrition. If possible, the wishes of the participant are taken into account.

Price

There is no participation fee, children are selected on a competitive basis. But you can't completely avoid costs. You need to buy tickets, pay for insurance, apply for a visa- all this costs money. Sponsorship will help in many ways, scholarships and grants are provided, but parents should not stand aside.

How to get involved

There are several ways for students to get involved:

Take part in a competition. It is held annually from June 15 to October 15. You can apply on the official website of AFS.
Sponsor companies annually hold competitions for scholarships among the children of their employees.
Those whose parents are willing to bear the costs or find sponsors on their own can also participate in the competition. For children from the outback, the opportunity is provided for an interview via Skype.

Anyone wishing to travel to the United States must additionally pass an English language test, otherwise participation is impossible.

FLEX

Another non-profit program. It was organized by the US government for the CIS countries. You can also take part in it on a competitive basis. The selection is carried out in several stages:

The 1st round is a small test of knowledge of the English language, consisting of only 10 questions.

Round 2 is a more difficult two-hour test that includes an essay in English.

3rd round - individual interview with candidates, psychological game and filling in personal data.

Requirements for candidates

Only high school students can become participants - from 8 to 10. Eleventh graders are not accepted, because at the time of the end of the competition they will have already graduated from a secondary school.
Current ratings are only good and excellent.
Good knowledge of English at the level of the school curriculum.
Age limits: from 15 to 18 years.

For 2020, Russia's participation in this program has been temporarily suspended. The reason for this was the egregious case of adoption by an American family of a child who came on an exchange. And a few other child participants did not return home. Russian Federation does not completely refuse to participate, and, most likely, contact will be resumed after all diplomatic problems are resolved.

Commercial offers

The only difference between commercial offers is that all costs are borne by the student's parents. Now many companies offer to participate in the student exchange program for a fee. Applicants will also have to pass an English exam. The number of places is also limited, but due to the fact that there are many more commercial ones, it will be much easier to pass the selection.

For one academic year in the US, you will have to pay about $ 7,000. This includes:

family accommodation;
food;
entertainment expenses;
health insurance policy.

Separately, the registration of an American visa and the purchase of tickets are paid. Parents are encouraged to provide pocket money for their children.

UGRAD

Only students with outstanding abilities and good knowledge of the English language can study in the USA for a period of one semester. Applications are accepted for consideration from third-year students of a four-year undergraduate program and fourth-year students of a five-year program. The participant cannot choose an American university, sponsors themselves select the appropriate one for their specialty educational institution. The US government pays all costs in full:

incurs the cost of round-trip air tickets;
pays tuition and living fees;
provides pre-departure advice.

All you have to do is apply for a passport.

Selection criteria

The student must have good grades in all subjects.
Be an active participant in the scientific or social life of the university.
Good command of English both written and spoken.
Successfully pass the TOEFL.
A semester in the states cannot be the last semester in a student's education.

Documents for registration

If the list of documents is incorrect or incomplete when submitting an application, the applicant will be disqualified.

An online application filled out on the official website of the program.
Two letters of recommendation in English. One - from any teacher, the other - from a supervisor or organizer of extracurricular activities.
A copy of the passport.

Applications are accepted until January 1, in May the winners are notified and preparations for a future trip begin.

Work and Travel

This program is for students. It allows you to travel to the states for a summer vacation to spend time usefully. Exchange students work mainly in the service sector. These are hotels, restaurants, shops, amusement parks.

Cost and costs

Initial costs depend on sponsors in America, on the intermediary company in Russia and on the selected service package:

Minimum. The participant himself is engaged in obtaining a visa and finding a suitable job for himself. On the one hand, it is much more difficult, but on the other hand, it gives more freedom in choosing a workplace. This option is recommended for those who travel to the states not for the first time. The cost is about $ 1500, including airfare.
Standard. The student is assisted in finding a job, it remains only to choose from several options provided. Support is also provided in obtaining a visa. The package costs $1800.
Maximum. It costs only $100 more than the standard one, but it has significant advantages. First of all, the participants pass training courses, where they undergo a detailed acquaintance with all the intricacies of the program. Sponsors are fully responsible for finding a place to live and work. Beginners are advised to choose this particular package. Despite the highest cost, there are many applicants, so try to apply as early as possible.

Companies often offer to pay for services in installments. The initial contribution does not hit the student's pocket much, and he can easily pay the rest from the money earned in the States.

The terms of participation

Departure of students is scheduled for May-July, but applications begin to be accepted from September. Basic rules for applicants:

full-time or evening studies, the main condition is at least 20 hours of study per week;
pay the cost of the program depending on the option chosen;
basic knowledge of English. For verification, a short interview is conducted, usually about 5 minutes;
age 18–28 years.

These are all requirements for participants. It's easy enough to do them.

Career Training USA

Designed for students who wish to do an internship in the United States. It differs from Work and Travel in that the work is provided according to the profile of training. The term can be from 2 months to one and a half years, is selected at will. To take part, you need more serious preparation:

the student must have already studied for at least 2 years in his profile;
the program is designed primarily for undergraduates;
you will have to pass the language exam of the international format - TOEFL;
pass the test of the intermediary company;
submit a resume in English;
it is desirable, but not necessary, to enlist letters of recommendation from the place of study, and if you work, from the place of work;
prepare documents: a student card, a record book, a certificate stating that you are a student, 4 color photographs 3 × 4 cm, a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation and a foreign passport.

Internship options

Only 2 options:

Independent search for a company for an internship. It will cost much cheaper - $ 700-1500 depending on the term, but you will have to work harder. The company must approve the applicant's candidacy and independently developed internship plan. The plan includes the following points: the goal, the planned acquisition of skills, a phased work plan, the rationale for choosing this particular option, a description of the methods of control and guidance of the trainee.
Choosing an internship from the proposed partner firms. The applicant will only have to pass an interview by phone and fill out a ready-made plan. Payment for participation from 2 to 3 thousand dollars.

- this is a good opportunity for students who want to join a different culture, improve their knowledge foreign language and feel independent.

You can send a child to Europe or America under an exchange program. The student-traveler will live in a foster foreign family, study at a local school.

Among the most popular countries among Russian teenagers are Great Britain, Germany, Finland, USA, Japan and China. Every year the most talented and capable guys from Russia go there.

Eligibility criteria vary by program. If this is a non-commercial project, then the best ones are determined on a competitive basis.

What to choose: commercial and non-commercial programs

Commercial exchange programs are most often organized by foreign education market operators. Non-profits exist due to investors, charitable contributions and foreign families hosting schoolchildren.

Participants in commercial exchange programs bear most of the financial costs. You will have to pay for the round-trip flight, accommodation, meals, training, pocket expenses.

According to experts, for the academic semester in Germany, France and Belgium, Russian parents need to save at least six thousand euros. Academic year in the USA - from seven thousand dollars.

Non-profit programs also involve the use of the financial resources of the parents of a student who is sent to study abroad. However, the costs will be significantly less than those of parents who have chosen a commercial program.

In our country, the most popular non-profit exchange program AFS. Its members are competitively selected. To qualify for an AFS scholarship, students go through several stages of the competition. On the first one, you need to submit an essay on the topic “Life in the style of AFS”, on the second - an interview.

Another popular exchange program is FLEX. In Russia, it was suspended until 2016 due to the violation by the United States of obligations to return schoolchildren to their homeland.

An important criterion in the selection of participants in the study abroad program is excellent knowledge of a foreign language. Therefore, applicants are asked to take a language test. It will be added to psychological test. In addition, attention will be paid to the overall school performance of a teenager.

As for age, students from 16 to 17 years old can take part in the exchange program.

So, you have chosen the program you are interested in. It remains to submit documents. In the list of required:

international passport

Medical insurance

Temporary registration

Important little things:

Under the terms of some programs, schoolchildren who come to a foreign family are taken Cell phones. This is done so that the teenager is not distracted from his studies and as much as possible joins the culture of another country.

Not all language programs involve the exchange of students from different families. That is, if you are planning to send a child to a foreign family, but do not want to welcome a foreign teenager into your home, then give preference to a one-way program

Schoolchildren going abroad on an exchange program fill out a questionnaire in which they talk about themselves and their families. In the questionnaire, you can specify the characteristics of a teenager. For example, the fact that he is a staunch vegetarian

Communication with the family that adopted your offspring for a year can be maintained via email, Skype or mobile phone.

The first stage of certification according to the British school curriculum, the equivalent of 8-9 grades of a Russian high school.

The main goal of the program is to prepare students for continuing their studies in the A-Level Senior British School program. At the end of the program, students take exams in 6-10 subjects and receive a certificate of incomplete secondary education of international standard.

When entering a foreign university, the GCSE international certificate relieves Russian students of the need to take exams to obtain an IELTS or TOEFL language certificate.

The program provides all the key knowledge in core subjects that will be necessary for the successful development of the A-Level program. For each GCSE subject, students take one to three exams.

A Level

A full-fledged program of the senior British school Advanced Level, the equivalent of 10-11 grades of a Russian school.

The main goal of the program is to prepare students for direct admission to an English-language undergraduate degree at a foreign university, including the best universities in the world.

At the end of the program, students take exams in 3 selected subjects. The choice of subject depends on the requirements of a particular university and the student's future specialization. Exams are taken face-to-face.

In RBS "Algorithm" A-level exams can be taken 3 times a year: in October, January and May-June. The number of exams that must be passed depends on the subject studied and varies from four to six. Exams can be taken not only by students of the school, but also by external candidates.

There are many different exchange programs. These include educational programs. Schoolchildren, students, graduate students, school and university teachers, scientists and researchers can take part in them. Every year, America, where, by the way, the idea of such programs was born, allocates about 30 million dollars from its budget. About 3 thousand Russians a year can go to the land of dreams.

How to get to the USA

In order to get into one of the educational programs, you must pass an interview, complete test tasks or win a grant. The main thing is to speak the language well and understand it. Training can last from a few weeks to a year.
If you pass the selection successfully, you can pack your bags. The flight, as a rule, is paid by the receiving party. Please note that this trip is not touristic, but educational. Of course, in your free time you can see all the sights, visit different institutions, but the main activity will remain training.

You will live in a family. Before you go, get to know the people hosting you, chat with them via the Internet. After all, you will live with them for a long time. Do not be lazy, study the traditions and customs of Americans. While in an American home, respect the rules of conduct adopted in the family so as not to offend your new acquaintances.

Be prepared for the fact that you have to earn extra money. A monthly stipend, which averages around $150, is hardly enough for you. You can get a job as a waiter, tutor, nanny. For such work there is an hourly cash payment, which will be very convenient for you.

How to go to the USA on an exchange vacation

But, if you do not want to learn anything, but just want to visit the country? Then an exchange vacation will help you. This type of travel is becoming more and more popular every year. There are special sites where a resident of any country can express their desire to have an exchange vacation.

You can simply exchange apartments or houses, or visit each other. The second option is more interesting, since in a foreign country you will be under supervision. The person who receives you will help you with the choice of leisure activities, you will have someone to talk to. And it is always more interesting to learn about the country from the lips of a native. But do not forget that you will also have to receive a person when he decides to visit your country.