Exchange Programs: Student exchange program is a program in which students from a secondary school or university study abroad at one of their institution’s partner institutions. A student exchange program may involve international travel, but does not necessarily require the student to study outside their home country.
Foreign exchange programs provide students with an opportunity to study in a different country and environment experiencing the history and culture of another country as well as meeting new friends to enrich their personal development. International exchange programs are also effective to challenge students to develop a global perspective.
The term “exchange” means that a partner institution accepts a student, but does not necessarily mean that the students have to find a counterpart from the other institution with whom to exchange. Exchange students live with a host family or in a designated place such as a hostel, an apartment, or a student lodging. Costs for the program vary by the country and institution. Participants fund their participation via scholarships, loans, or self-funding.
Student exchanges became popular after World War II, and are intended to increase the participants’ understanding and tolerance of other cultures, as well as improving their language skills and broadening their social horizons. Student exchanges also increased further after the end of the Cold War. An exchange student typically stays in the host country for a period of 6 to 12 months however, exchange students may opt to stay for one semester at a time. International students or those on study abroad programs may stay in the host country for several years. Some exchange programs also offer academic credit. They are two kind of programs which are
- A short-term exchange program is also known as summer/intensive or cultural exchange program
- A long-term exchange is one which lasts six to ten months or up to one full year. Participants attend high school or university in their host countries, through a student visa(depending on what host country you choose to go to, you may need to apply for a dual citizenship).
The costs of student exchange are determined by the charges from a student exchange program organization or the university or college. The costs vary depending on the country, length of study and other personal factors. Different programs through the school/university of choice may offer students scholarships that cover the expenses of travel and accommodation and the personal needs of a student
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