What Exchange Students Wish They Had Packed (And What They Didn’t Need) Every exchange student spends time thinking about what to pack before leaving for their year abroad. It makes sense. You’re preparing to live in another country for months, attend a new school, meet a host family, and experience an entirely different way of…

Why Every Exchange Year Looks Different (And Why That’s a Good Thing) One of the most exciting parts of preparing for an exchange year is imagining what life abroad will be like. Maybe you’ve watched videos from former exchange students, scrolled through photos on social media, or read stories about students who spent a year…

What Happens After an Exchange Year Ends? For months, students dream about their exchange year. They imagine arriving in a new country, meeting their host family, making friends, experiencing a different culture, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Then suddenly, what once felt so far away arrives faster than expected: It’s time to…

Can Exchange Students Bring Their Own Culture to Their Host Family? When people think about a high school exchange year, they often focus on what students will experience: a new country, a new school, a new language, and new traditions. But cultural exchange has never been a one-way street. A common misconception is that exchange…

Do Exchange Students Stay in Touch With Their Host Families? When students imagine their high school exchange year, they often think about the big moments: arriving in a new country, starting a new school, improving a language, making friends, and experiencing a different culture. What many don’t expect is that one of the most meaningful…

The Most Common Fears Before an Exchange Year (And Why They’re Normal) Excitement is usually the first emotion students feel when thinking about a high school exchange year. A new country, new friends, new experiences, it’s the kind of adventure many teenagers dream about. But right behind that excitement often comes something else: fear. And…

Can Exchange Students Choose Their Host Family? One of the most common questions students and parents ask before starting a high school exchange year is simple:“Can we choose the host family?” It’s an important question. After all, the host family plays a central role in the exchange experience. They are not just providing a place…

What Are the Requirements to Become an ASSE Exchange Student? Becoming an exchange student is an exciting opportunity. Spending a semester or a full school year abroad allows students to experience a new culture, attend school in another country, and grow in ways that are difficult to replicate at home. But before students can begin…

Can You Do an Exchange Year Without Speaking the Language? It’s one of the most common questions students and parents ask before committing to a high school exchange program: “Can I really do an exchange year if I don’t already speak the language?” The idea of living and studying in another country without being fluent…