Program Summary:
- Program: Classic program, Classic with Regional/City Choice (long programs only)
- Program length: Short and Long programs
- Vaccinations: Yes
- Discounts and Scholarship: Yes
- Language criteria: Yes
- Language course: Available for August programs
- Soft Landing Camp: Yes
High school exchange – Classic Program
Age and eligibility
- Students from 15 – 17 may apply.
- An academic average of C grades over the last two years are required.
Language criteria
Intermediate German reading & listening. We encourage students to become familiar with the German language so they can read it well, understand quite a lot of what is being said, and attempt to speak it as much as they can, prior to going on exchange.
An Online Language Course is available for August Academic Semester & Year programs.
Program length
Classic Academic Semester & Academic Year programs, Short 2 & 3 month programs available.
Regional & City Choice options are available on request for Academic Semester & Year Programs.
Schools
Germany’s secondary education system is comprised of different types of schools and students are assessed based on their grades to determine which school type is most appropriate for them. Each state has varying start and end dates.
German schools offer core subjects like math, German, foreign languages, science, history, and physical education, as well as elective courses in IT, music, photography. School days begin early and end around midday. The system is well-structured and produces high-performing results, enabling students to pursue university education regardless of their financial background.
Important things you should know: School uniforms are not required and all lessons are taught in German allowing you to fully immerse in the language and culture.
Visa
Students travelling on an AU/NZ passport do not need a Visa before entering Germany. They can enter the country with just their passport on a tourist visa which is valid for 90 days.
Within the first 90 days the student needs to go to his/ her local foreigners office in Germany and apply for a resident’s permit.
The necessary documents will be sent to the student’s host family. Moreover, the appointment should be set up as soon as possible after having arrived in Germany because waiting periods can be quite long. The residents permit can cost the student up to 100€. Further guidance will be provided.
Students traveling on Australian & New Zealand passports, with programs up to 90 days, generally travel as “tourists” and do not need to apply for a visa prior departure. However, for programs extending beyond the 90-day period (including Semester & Academic Year programs), students are usually required to apply for the necessary visa.
Program Coordinators will provide the essential visa documents so students can lodge their visa application. Please note that Program Coordinators are not Registered Migration Agents and cannot represent the applicant. Program Coordinators will provide “guidance” where possible, however the responsibility of lodging the visa falls upon the student/parents. Visa application requirements differ per destination and, on top of the visa documents provided by your Program Coordinator, students will need to provide additional documents such as birth certificate, bank statements, police check certificate, passport photos, letter of parental consent, etc.
Visa application fees (set by the foreign Authority) fluctuate depending on the destination and may vary from $180 to $700. These costs exclude expenses such as translations, official stamps (Notary Public stamp, Apostille stamp), national police certificate, passports photos, express post envelopes, etc. In some cases, students must attend an in-person consulate / visa agency appointment, which may incur additional personal expenses for travel such as purchasing flights (Interstate flight or international flight if no representation in your home country), petrol costs, tolls, accommodation, etc.
Canada:
Students must have received their routine childhood vaccinations appropriate for their age. In addition, Canada requires full vaccination against Meningococcal (MenACWY). The Covid-19 vaccine is recommended but not mandatory.
USA:
Students must be up to date with their routine childhood vaccinations for their age group. Additionally, your host school in the USA will require further immunisations to meet national guidelines, such as the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine and a TB test conducted within six months before arrival. While Covid-19 vaccination is recommended, it is not mandatory.
Other Countries:
Students must be up to date with their standard childhood vaccinations. While the Covid-19 vaccine is recommended, it is not compulsory.
Classic Program Prices for Germany
| Length | Arrive | Depart | Price AUD | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year | Aug 30, 2025 | June 20, 2026 | $12,950 | Apr 15, 2025 |
| Academic Semester | Aug 30, 2025 | Jan 24, 2026 | $11,950 | Apr 15, 2025 |
| 3 Months | Oct 18, 2025 | Jan 10, 2026 | $8,950 | Jul 1, 2025 |
| 2 Months | Nov 15, 2025 | Jan 10, 2026 | $8,450 | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Academic Year | Jan 15, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 | $12,950 | Sept 1, 2025 |
| Academic Semester | Jan 15, 2026 | June 20, 2026 | $11,950 | Sept 1, 2025 |
Each destination has a budget for flights included in the fee. If flight costs are above this budgeted amount, a Flight Surcharge may apply. Please see our Money Matters page for program inclusions, the flight surcharge policy and other important pricing information.
Program start dates are indicative arrivals in the destination, students attending the Soft Landing Camp (if available) will depart earlier. Program start dates serve as approximate arrival dates at the destination and subject to change. These are based on 2023 program dates and serve to help students plan ahead. We will notify you of your confirmed program dates ahead of time to prevent any confusion or inconvenience.
Scholarship & Early Bird Discount Application Deadlines
March 31, 2025: classic programs departing between October 2025 – March 2026
October 31, 2025: classic programs departing between April 2026 – September 2026
Find out more about Scholarships and Early Bird Discounts.
Soft landing camp in Mannheim
Additional AU$1,190 per student, August Academic Semester & Year only
Your exchange program in Germany will commence with an exciting journey at the Soft Landing Camp, situated in the captivating city of Mannheim in southwestern Germany. During this three-day program, you will have the opportunity to connect with fellow students from Student Exchange Australia New Zealand who are also embarking on their exchange programs in Germany. Not only will you explore the charming city, but you will also engage in workshops and sightseeing activities to ensure you are well-prepared for your exchange experience.
Our German partners conducted an evaluation with their host families, and noticed that the students who participated in the Soft Landing Camps were better with responding to challenges and dealing with them. They also observed that the students who met at the Soft Landing Camp visited each other, which meant that they were able to see more of Germany.
Soft Landing Camp is an optional extra exclusively available for long-term exchange programs, Academic Semester & Academic Year.
Example agenda
Day 1
- Arrival at International Airport
- Meeting with our partner organisation’s team and transfer to a Youth Hostel
- Time to settle in
- Barbecue and Welcome evening/meeting other exchange students and camp staff
- Evening Walk to Mannheimer Barockschloss
Day 2
- Morning program: workshop about German culture, traditions, families, German schools, communication, leisure activities and available trips during the stay in Germany
- Afternoon activities:
- Visit of Heidelberger Castle
- Boat tour with “Weiße Flotte” on the river Neckar
- Evening Walk to Fountains at the Mannheim water tower
Day 3
- Say goodbye to the other exchange students
- Students are either collected by their host family or the team will help them catch a train to be met by their host family or Local Coordinator
Online language course
Additional AU$1,990 per student, August Academic Semester & Year
We will be offering a unique opportunity – learning German online while maintaining an intercultural communication atmosphere, just like a real classroom. This course runs while the students are on exchange, which helps if they are struggling with the German curriculum, and provides additional tutoring to support their education.
The course will run from September 15 – November 15, 2024 , for students who are on August Academic Semester or Year programs. This will include 4 German units (45 mins per week) and 45 mins of individual learning. This course is compulsory for students with a German level lower than B1, or optional for those with a higher German level than B1.
Many students have already started adapting to ‘Online Life’ and our language course is designed for improving their German skills, making friends, and having fun. The advantages of virtual group teaching:
- Participation in the language course at any location as long as internet access is possible.
- Students will learn in small international groups of max. 20 students.
- Quick learning success achievable through native speakers as teachers.
- All lessons are recorded and can be repeated to ensure learning progress In the interactive lessons, the specially trained native language teachers motivates the students to speak actively in the foreign language. The course takes place via a live webinar where students can interact with the teacher and other students who are also there to learn german in an interactive environment.
Germany Regional and City Choices
| Classic Program + additional fee | Price AUD |
|---|---|
| Region Choice – Northern Germany | $1,395 |
| Region Choice – Southern Germany | $1,395 |
| Region Choice – Eastern Germany | $1,395 |
| Region Choice – Western Germany | $1,395 |
| City Choice – Berlin | $8,750 |
| City Choice – Hamburg | $6,595 |
| City Choice – Munich | $6,595 |
| City Choice – Cologne | $6,595 |
Choose an upgrade to our Classic program for Semester or Academic Year students in Germany. Select your preferred region for your exchange and if you are placed in one of your preferred regions, an additional location fee applies. Selection is first come, first served and subject to availability. Limited spots available, so secure your spot soon to improve your chances of getting your preferred region.
Learn more at a LIVE Online Information Session
Information evenings run for about an hour. This is a great way to hear all about our exchange programs, destinations, latest offers and more.
They are friendly, free and are the best way for us to address your specific questions in person. We look forward to seeing you online!
Worldwide High School Online Brochure
For an overview of our programs, our team will send you our Worldwide High School Online Brochure.
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Learn moreStudent Exchange Australia New Zealand Ltd is a fully registered not-for-profit student exchange organisation in all Australian states and territories, ensuring compliance with both state legislation and national student exchange guidelines.
