What is a Student Exchange?
A STUDENT EXCHANGE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIAL WHILE EXPERIENCING A NEW COUNTRY, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SCHOOL.
An exchange allows you to explore who you are, what excites you and helps you to focus on your next steps. You’ll move to a new country, live with a family, just like you do at home, attend school and integrate into a new culture and life. Our world-leading online and in-person orientations will help you prepare and make the most of your experience!
Plus, you’ll make new friends and see the world!
AFS will transform your life with new countries, new cultures, new people and experiences, helping you become a global citizen. These aren’t tourist trips, you’ll live like a local and get a genuine taste for life in another culture. You’ll be treated as one of the family and get great support from AFS.
Start your adventure here
“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one.
When you return home from studying abroad, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.
That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for university and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning.
It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in your host country.
In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.
AFS provides a wraparound service
Applications are open 365 days a year. The earlier you apply, the more likely it is we can confirm your country of choice.
All AFS exchange students complete a comprehensive orientation programme. AFS has an extensive networks of people on the ground in every host country. They help students settle into the new country, and deal with any issues that might arise.
The AFS international office has plans in place to assist you in the unlikely event of a major international emergency.