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When you think about high school in America, what do you picture? Maybe it’s the school marching band playing at a football game? Is it those iconic yellow school buses you know so well from your favorite U.S. TV shows? Or perhaps you think of students all decked out for prom night? All these amazing experiences are part of going to high school in the U.S., and with USA student trips for international students, they could be yours!
In this guide, we’ll explain how you can study in the United States with AYUSA’s student exchange program. You’ll learn:
- What USA student trips can offer international high school students
- How to become an exchange student in the U.S. with AYUSA
- How to prepare for the experience of USA student trips
- How to make the most of your time in America
If you don’t already know, AYUSA is a non-profit high school exchange organization on a mission to bring international students and U.S. host families together for an unforgettable cultural experience. We connect you with a host family and a place in a local high school, organize your exchange visa, and support you throughout your time in the United States.
Keen to learn more? Drop your questions here, or if you’re ready to dive in, start your student application here!
What Do USA Student Trips Offer International Students?
It’s a huge decision to leave your family and study abroad in the USA for a year, especially while you’re still in high school! We promise it’s worth it though—the people you meet, the memories you make, and the things you learn will all change your life. Here’s why USA student trips are so valuable for international students from around the world.
A Fresh Perspective
Living and studying in the U.S. isn’t just about academics—it’s about experiencing a new way of life. As an international exchange student, you’ll have the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in American culture (think Halloween, Thanksgiving, and 4th of July barbecues) while sharing your own favorite holidays, meals, and traditions from home.
The experience helps you start to see the world differently, as Eman from Pakistan explains:
“I can very confidently say that going on an exchange was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made...It forces you to wipe the grime off your glasses and look at things from a clearer, better, and most importantly, a different, perspective. You learn that the world is not the desolate and awful place it is so often made out to be, because people all over the world have hopes, dreams, struggles and fears just like you. Everyone is inherently different, and yet, so very similar.”
Unforgettable Moments
Every exchange student’s experience is different, but they all have one thing in common: unforgettable moments! From camping trips with your host family to homecoming with your new classmates, every week will be filled with a new adventure. You’ll be amazed at what you can pack into a year, and as Anni from Germany wisely reminds us:
“Exchange is enjoying the short time you have. Making the best out of it; it will never be the same because people are constantly changing. Enjoying every month, every week, every day, every hour, every minute, every second; Simply everything.”
Academic Excellence and New School Experiences
High school in America is a rite of passage! You’ll get to experience traditions like homecoming, catch your school’s sports teams in action, and try all kinds of extracurricular activities. Just look at what Lea from France was able to achieve: She discovered a love for photography, joined the yearbook team, and is embracing every school experience she can!
How to Become an Exchange Student in the U.S. with AYUSA
We’ve talked about why you should do it, but how do you actually become an exchange student? The place to start is right here with AYUSA—we’re one of the best foreign exchange student programs for high school students, and we’re about to show you why!
Why AYUSA?
For more than 40 years, we’ve been connecting international students with the most caring, supportive host families in America. We always prioritize your safety, which is why every host family for international students goes through a thorough vetting and screening process, including an in-home interview with one of our representatives and a criminal background check.
Something that really sets us apart is our commitment to supporting our exchange students from day one. When you choose AYUSA, we’ll connect you with an overseas partner and together will help you complete your student application, match with a host family, organize your J-1 visa, make sure you have the right health insurance plan, and answer any questions you have about studying abroad.
For anything you need during your time in the United States, you can reach out to your local AYUSA Community Representative (CR), your first point of contact. Your CR will check in with you (and your school), provide updates to your family, and give you any support you need along the way. We also have a 24/7 emergency line in case you ever need it.
In other words, we’re here for you and we’ll do everything we can to make sure you have a safe, successful international student exchange experience!
Our Eligibility Requirements
Before we can help you find your new home away from home, we need to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria, both ours and the U.S. Department of State’s. To participate in the AYUSA high school exchange student program, you must:
- Be between 15 and 18 years old when the program begins
- Maintain strong academic performance across all subjects
- Demonstrate English proficiency by passing a language assessment
- Show maturity, adaptability, and enthusiasm for new cultural experiences
- Be medically cleared for travel to the U.S. and fully vaccinated
- Cover costs for flights, health insurance, and other personal expenses
There might be additional requirements based on your nationality, so be sure to connect with your local AYUSA representative or overseas partner in your home country for specific details.
How to Apply
The first step to becoming an AYUSA exchange student is to start a student application. Once we receive your application, here’s what happens:
- We’ll connect you with one of our overseas partners (OSPs)
- We’ll work to match you with the right host family
- Once your host family is confirmed, we’ll place you in a local high school
- Meanwhile, your J-1 visa preparation is underway
- Your OSP will answer all your pre-departure questions and help you with health insurance
- Once your visa is approved, it’s time to book your flights and pack your bags!
When you arrive in the United States, you’ll meet your host family, get settled into life at your new school, and connect with your AYUSA CR for any help or support you need throughout your academic year in America.
What to Expect as an Exchange Student
By this stage, you’re probably wondering what life is like as an exchange student in the United States. Here’s a look at how most exchange students spend a typical day, what it’s like to live with a host family, and more.
- Living with a host family: Your host family is your home away from home. You might feel like you’re just staying with them to begin with, but it won’t be long before you genuinely think of them as family. You’ll share meals, swap cultures, and teach each other a lot.
- Attending a U.S. high school: It might sound crazy, but lots of exchange students end up thinking school is the best part of their foreign exchange student program! You’ll make new friends, hone your English skills, and share your culture with your classmates.
- Extracurricular activities: Most U.S. high schools offer a lot of extracurricular activities, and we encourage you to try whatever interests you! From drama clubs to sports teams or even the debating society, it’s a great way to make the most of your exchange year.
- Adjusting to American culture: Like any big change in your life, it might take you a while to adjust to being in America. Don’t worry if you experience some culture shock—it’s totally normal, and your host family and new friends will help you feel right at home.
- Weekends and time off: When you’re not at school and have free time with your host family, you’ll get to explore your new surroundings. Many families take their exchange students on camping trips and visits to tourist attractions to help you see more of America.
How to Prepare for Your U.S. Exchange Experience
To make your adjustment to life in America as smooth as possible, it’s a good idea to prepare yourself for the journey ahead. Here are some steps you can take to get ready for your student cultural exchange year before you even leave home.
Language Preparation
All exchange students traveling to the United States are required to have a good understanding of English, so it’s never too soon to start brushing up on your language skills! Start reading books, watching shows, or listening to podcasts in English, and try to practice every day.
Don’t worry if your English isn’t perfect—it doesn’t need to be! Plus, after a few months of constantly being surrounded by English at school and with your host family, you’ll be amazed by how much your language skills improve. You’ll be a better speaker, feel much more confident, and even learn the slang they don’t normally teach you in English classes!
Cultural Preparation
Understanding American culture will help ease the transition and minimize the culture shock that comes with being a foreign exchange student. Learning about traditions, customs, and social norms will allow you to integrate more easily into your new environment. You might like to start by learning about holidays and celebrations like Thanksgiving, Independence Day, and Halloween.
If you know someone from your country who’s traveled to the U.S. before, ask them what the biggest cultural differences are. Some people really notice that Americans speak directly and say what’s on their mind, while others are surprised at how fast-paced the lifestyle is. It really depends on what you’re used to, but it’s a good idea to prepare yourself for a few differences.
Logistics
Thanks to AYUSA and our OSPs, you don’t have to worry too much about the logistical aspects of your high school exchange program for the USA—we take care of that for you! Still, here are some tips to make sure you have a stress-free arrival:
- Double-check that you have your valid passport and J-1 visa before flying
- Make sure your health insurance plan has adequate coverage
- Research the climate of your host city and pack accordingly
- Keep important contact info, including your host family’s address and emergency contacts
Having all this ready ahead of time will save you from last-minute stress so you can focus on settling in to your new life without any hiccups.
Budgeting and Finances
You’ll also need to think about managing your money during your student exchange program in the USA. Your accommodation and meals are all taken care of, but you’ll still need money for personal expenses, activities, souvenirs, and so on. Keep in mind that some parts of the U.S. are more expensive than others—having a rough idea of the cost of living in your host family’s town or city will help you with your budgeting.
It’s a good idea to bring some U.S. dollars with you for anything you need to buy in your first couple of days, and a debit card that you can use to withdraw money. Most major debit cards are accepted at stores, restaurants, and venues in the U.S., and some establishments have become cash-free in recent years, meaning they only accept card payment.
Before you leave your home country, discuss budgeting with your parents and plan out how much money you’ll need each month. Make sure they have a simple, quick way to transfer money to your account so that you can access it as needed.
Try to be mindful of how much you’re spending and track your bigger purchases—you want your budget to last for your whole exchange program! AYUSA requires that each student has access to at least $250 a month to cover the costs of their personal expenses.
How to Make the Most of USA Student Trips
It’s important to make the most of your time in the U.S., as a year can go a lot faster than you expect! Here are some ways we think you can get the most out of the AYUSA exchange experience and discover all the incredible benefits of studying abroad.
Getting Involved in School and Community
We’ve already mentioned extracurricular activities as a great way to immerse yourself in U.S. culture and make new friends—join groups, clubs, and teams that interest you. You should also try to attend as many school events as possible, like homecoming, pep rallies, sports games, and other school traditions.
You can’t work while you’re participating in an exchange student program in high school, but you can volunteer in the community. Many schools encourage students to participate in community service, whether by volunteering at local shelters, food banks, or environmental projects. It’s a fulfilling way to give back and meet new people.
Sharing Cultures With Your Host Family
Your host family plays a huge role in your exchange experience, and the closer your relationship is, the more you’ll get out of your year abroad. Whether it’s cooking dinner together, watching movies, or attending family trips and vacations, being involved in daily life is a great way to share your culture.
Remember, these families choose to host a student because they’re just as eager to learn about your country as you are to discover more about the United States! Why not cook them a traditional meal, show them how a birthday is normally celebrated, or teach them a few words in your native language?
Staying Connected with Family and Friends Back Home
It’s totally normal to miss your friends and family at home—you’re a long way away for quite a long time! Staying connected with loved ones can offer emotional support and help you feel less homesick, as long as it’s not stopping you from immersing yourself in the study abroad experience. With social media and video calls, it’s easier than ever to keep in touch across borders!
Live Your Dream of Studying in the U.S. With AYUSA!
Studying abroad in the U.S. isn’t an opportunity that comes around very often, so don’t let it slip by! There’s no better way to make friends from all around the world, discover a new culture, explore the U.S., and learn to speak English like a pro.
From spending Thanksgiving with your family to homecoming with your new classmates, you’ll be checking things off your bucket list every single week! At AYUSA, we make exchange student trips to the USA accessible, safe, and unforgettable.
Explore the opportunities AYUSA offers, start your student application, and live the life of an American high schooler for a year!
