15 Best Exchange Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are curious about life beyond your classroom and country, exchange programs are one of the most practical ways to explore new cultures before college! Through structured study abroad and cultural exchange that these programs offer, you will gain exposure to college-style academics, independent living, and real-world problem-solving. Most exchange programs place you in local schools, where you get to adapt to new academic systems, collaborate with international peers, and develop practical skills like cross-cultural communication, language proficiency, and self-management. You will also build connections with host families, educators, and global communities that can shape your academic and career interests long after the program ends.
To help you with your search, we have narrowed down the 15 best exchange programs for high school students.
If you are looking for study abroad programs, check out our blog here.
15 Best Exchange Programs for High School Students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 65 full scholarships available
Location: Various countries, including Morocco, India, Senegal, Indonesia, Jordan, and Thailand
Cost: Fully funded, including international travel, tuition, housing with a host family, meals, insurance, and program activities.
Program dates: Academic year program
Application deadline: December 4 (dates may vary by year)
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 to 18.5, who are U.S. citizens
YES Abroad is a year-long international exchange program that places U.S. high schoolers in various countries to live with host families and attend local secondary schools. The program emphasizes cultural diplomacy, allowing you to spend a year in a partner country serving as informal ambassadors of the United States. You will also engage deeply with your host communities, developing cross-cultural communication skills, adaptability, and global awareness through daily immersion. Many placements come with opportunities for community service, leadership activities, and participation in local traditions and civic life. Structured support from local coordinators and program partners is available throughout the program.
Location: Various sites, including Sydney, London, Singapore, Toronto, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students, ages 13 – 18
The Academic Insights Program allows high school students to experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7 to 10 students, and learn from tutors from top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including architecture, AI, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, and philosophy. The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning, so you may conduct dissections in medicine, design a robotic arm in engineering, participate in a moot court for law, or build creative writing portfolios and business case studies. At the end of the program, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback along with a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~15 – 20% acceptance rate
Location: Various countries, including China, Morocco, South Korea, and Russia
Cost: Fully funded
Program dates: Summer programs: Six to seven weeks between May and August | Academic year programs: 8 – 10 months
Application deadline: November 12
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18, who are U.S. citizens; no prior language study required.
NSLI-Y is a competitive government-funded exchange program that places high school students in intensive critical-language study environments abroad. You get to study languages such as Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, Russian, and Indonesian through daily instruction combined with full cultural immersion. You will live with host families, attend structured language classes, and participate in cultural activities that reinforce real-world language use. The program emphasizes intercultural competence, adaptability, and global awareness, offering you opportunities to engage regularly with local peers and communities. You can choose the academic-year program to achieve high language proficiency, or the summer program for a brief cultural exchange experience.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5–3%; 900–1,000 selected from 35,000 applicants annually
Location: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Romania
Cost: Fully funded—covers travel, visa support, host family placement, school enrollment, health insurance, monthly stipend, and program activities.
Program dates: Academic year
Application deadline: December 8
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18.5, who are U.S. citizens.
The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program Abroad, offered by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, allows you to spend a year studying abroad as a high school student. You will attend a local school and live with a host family in countries like Georgia, Kazakhstan, or Poland, and take part in structured civic engagement and community service projects. The program emphasizes leadership development, cross-cultural communication, and public diplomacy, allowing you to serve as a U.S. cultural ambassador. You will also complete community service and design or contribute to local volunteer initiatives. Throughout the year, you will receive mentorship from coordinators and engage in orientations, workshops, and alumni-led activities.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Various locations in Germany
Cost: Fully funded, including travel, housing, meals, and stipend; no application fee
Program dates: Academic year program
Application deadline: November 10
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 – 18 years old and U.S. citizens with a GPA of 2.5 or higher; no prior German knowledge required
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), a fully supported exchange program backed by the U.S. and German governments, offers high schoolers the opportunity to live, study, and/or gain work experience in Germany. As a participant, you will attend a German high school or take part in vocational or professional training while living with a carefully selected host family. You will join the program as a citizen ambassador, sharing American perspectives while learning firsthand about German culture, society, and daily life. You do not need to have any German language experience, as you will receive language instruction and cultural preparation guidance before and during the exchange program. Throughout the year, you will have access to government-led engagement opportunities and local support networks.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact details vary by club
Location: Over 100 countries worldwide
Cost: Fully funded; participants will have to pay for airfare and insurance.
Program dates: Long-term program: Academic year | Short-term program: Several days – three months
Application deadline: Varies by Rotary Club
Eligibility: Youth, ages 15 – 19
Rotary Youth Exchange places high school students in immersive cultural exchanges sponsored by local Rotary clubs worldwide. As a long-term participant, you can attend a local secondary school for a full academic year and live with multiple host families, gaining exposure to different households and cultural environments. The program emphasizes leadership development, intercultural understanding, and civic responsibility, offering opportunities to engage in Rotary service activities and community events. Strong mentorship is provided through Rotary counselors and host families throughout the exchange. Short-term exchanges offer condensed cultural exposure through camps, tours, or homestays.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by country and year
Location: Countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America, like Brazil, Costa Rica, Argentina, Belize, and Ecuador
Cost: Fully funded
Program dates: July 3 – 23
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, ages 15 – 17, who have at least one semester of school remaining
The Youth Ambassadors Program is a short-term, fully funded leadership exchange sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. You will participate in a three-week international exchange focused on civic engagement, leadership development, and cross-cultural collaboration, typically in Central or South America. The program combines workshops, site visits, community service projects, and cultural activities alongside peers from both the U.S. and host countries. You will work closely with adult mentors and educators while exploring themes such as social responsibility, digital citizenship, and community leadership. You will also complete a required community-based service initiative after returning home, extending the program’s impact beyond the exchange itself.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Various British Boarding Schools in England, Scotland, and Wales
Cost: No tuition (costs covered by merit-based scholarship); program fee: $2,000 + visa and travel costs applicable
Program dates: August of the current year – July next year
Application deadline: Typically, December/January
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens
This exchange program, offered by the English-Speaking Union, is a merit-based, fully funded opportunity that allows you to spend a gap year studying at a boarding school in England, Wales, or Scotland. The program is designed to offer you academic and cultural immersion, giving you the chance to explore new academics and social experiences within the British education system before committing to a college degree. You will attend boarding institutions like the Wells Cathedral School, Langley School, Dollar Academy, or Benenden School, where you will join local students and engage in academics, sports, clubs, and cultural activities. The program starts with a summer orientation in the U.S., followed by departure to the U.K. in August/September. After this, you will begin living on campus at your assigned school and return home the following July.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact number varies by program
Location: 35+ countries worldwide
Cost: Varies by destination and duration; includes host family, school enrollment, meals, support, and travel expenses; scholarships and $1,000 legacy grants are available.
Dates: Summer, semester, and academic year sessions available
Application deadline: Rolling until programs fill
Eligibility: U.S. high school students; age and other criteria vary by country and program
YFU places high school students in semester or academic-year exchanges that combine school enrollment with host-family living. You will attend local secondary schools while receiving ongoing support from trained area representatives and a 24/7 professional support system. Programs emphasize cultural immersion, language development, and personal responsibility through daily integration into host communities. Pre-departure orientations and in-country guidance will help you adapt academically and socially. While tuition-based, YFU offers partial scholarships and fundraising pathways to broaden access.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: Various host countries, including Japan, Australia, Italy, and France
Cost: Application fee of $350 + program fee starting at $6,500; limited scholarships are available
Program dates: Summer, semester, and year-long programs available; departures are scheduled in the summer for summer programs or in February/March or August/September for semester and year programs
Application deadline: April 1 (for fall departures and summer programs) | September 15 (for spring departures)
Eligibility: Students, ages 15 – 18
ASSE offers semester- and year-long high school exchange programs across more than 30 countries, placing students within local host families and enrolling them in public or private secondary schools abroad. You will follow a regular school schedule in a host country, take core academic subjects, and engage in daily community life through your host families. Language proficiency is not a prerequisite for many destinations, and immersion-based learning is emphasized instead. The program includes pre-departure orientation, in-country support coordinators, and ongoing monitoring throughout the exchange.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: 40+ countries worldwide
Cost: Varies by destination; need-based scholarships and financial aid are available
Program dates: Summer, semester, or full academic year (varies by destination)
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students; age and academic requirements vary by country and program
AFS-USA runs various high school study abroad programs that place you with local host families while enrolling you in secondary schools across more than 40 countries. Programs emphasize intercultural learning, language immersion, and community integration rather than tourism-based travel. You will follow a structured learning framework through the AFS Student Learning Journey, designed to build global competence, intercultural communication skills, and self-reflection. Depending on the program, you may pursue formal language proficiency assessments after returning home.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: Countries in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania
Cost: Varies by destination and program format; partial scholarships and discounts are available
Program dates: Semester or full academic year; short-term options available year-round
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: U.S. high school students; age, academic, and language requirements vary by destination
International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES) runs flexible high school study abroad programs that allow American students to enroll in local schools while living with carefully screened host families abroad. You can choose between semester-long or full academic year placements, with options across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. Programs emphasize cultural immersion, language acquisition, and community integration, and are supported by trained local coordinators throughout the exchange. ICES also offers short-term programs lasting one to three months if you are seeking a lower-commitment international experience.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: Germany and Japan
Cost: Varies by destination and program type; scholarships and grants are available
Program dates: Varies by program; options are available from January to December.
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; timelines vary by placement
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18; GPA and language proficiency requirements may apply depending on the destination/program.
Ayusa International runs a U.S. Department of State–designated high school exchange program that places students with volunteer host families in countries like Germany and Japan. You will attend a local high school while engaging with your host community, emphasizing grassroots cultural diplomacy and peer-to-peer exchange. You will receive support from trained community representatives who will monitor academic progress, well-being, and integration. The program prioritizes intercultural learning, leadership development, and long-term relationship-building over academic acceleration alone.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Seoul or Busan, South Korea
Cost: Varies by program and length; costs start at $3,030 (Seoul) and $3,590 (Busan) for two weeks.
Program dates: Language, Culture, and Excursion Camp (Seoul): Weekly start dates from July 6 – August 10 | Language Camp (Seoul/Busan): Weekly start dates from June 29 – August 24 |
Application deadline: May 1 (Language Camp in Seoul/Busan) | May 15 (Language, Culture & Excursion Camp in Seoul)
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 17
ISE, a non-profit, runs exchange programs for teens around the world, and its South Korea Summer Program offers high schoolers multiple ways to explore a new language and culture. The Language, Culture & Excursion Camp in Seoul offers Korean lessons, access to hands-on activities like K-pop dance, Taekwondo, cooking, and trips to historical sites. The Language Camps in Seoul and Busan focus on intensive language instruction (25 hours per week) with additional afternoon programs designed to help you build key language skills. All options come with host family accommodations, airport transfers, meals, and comprehensive insurance. The programs are designed to offer structured, immersive summer experiences.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Location: Various sites in Germany, including Kleve, Hanau, Gera, Borken, Rutesheim, and Heidelberg)
Cost: $4,820 + $150 administrative fee; scholarships available for up to 50% or full cost
Program dates: Multiple programs between June 8 and July 17 (dates vary by site)
Application deadline: January 19; scholarship applications due by December 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, ages 15 – 17, who have completed at least two years of German language study
This program places U.S. high schoolers in a German high school and a host family for a short-term cultural and academic experience. You will spend three weeks attending classes with your host sibling at a local Gesamtschule or Gymnasium, taking tailored German lessons, and participating in group trips to regional attractions. The final week includes excursions to major cultural cities like Bonn and Cologne. From the time you depart the U.S. to your return, you will be chaperoned by a German teacher. The program focuses on boosting intercultural understanding, offering language immersion, and immersing you in real-world experience within a German-speaking environment.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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