Program Summary:
- Programs: Classic, Classic with area choice and High School Choice program
- Program length: Long programs only
- Vaccinations: Yes
- Discounts and Scholarship: Yes
- Language criteria: No
- Language course: No
- Soft Landing Camp: Yes
USA Program Options
Classic Exchange Program any location
Choose to be placed with a host family and attend a local school on an Academic Semester or Year program.
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Classic Exchange Program with Area Choice
Choose to be be placed in a specific location for an additional fee on a Semester or Year program.
Learn more
High School Choice Exchange Program
Choose from a range of regions, school districts and schools for an Academic Semester or Year program. Your exchange, your way!
Learn more
Classic program
Our Classic program will match you with a welcoming host family and place you in a nearby school. We find the host family and choose the school, and you can enjoy immersing yourself in local culture & community. These programs are perfect for students who:
* Are flexible about location, and the academic experience
* Want to have a cultural experience
* Are interested in joining sports, clubs, and activities
* Want to develop confidence and improve language skills
high school exchange – Classic Program
Age and eligibility
Students must be 15 – 17 years of age at the start of the program. Any student who is currently in their final year of high school cannot apply for a January departure the following year.
Please note some medical restrictions may apply and can be discussed further upon application. Allergies to household pets and/or special diets may incur an additional fee.
If a perfectly adequate host family placement that is qualified by, and in accordance with, US State Department guidelines is rejected due to personal preferences including geographical, rural, metropolitan or family demographics a AU$1000 fee will be charged to request an alternative host family.
Please note some medical restrictions may apply and can be discussed further upon application. Allergies to household pets and/or special diets may incur an additional fee of AU$800.
Program length
Students applying for the Year program departing in January of each will complete two Semesters with the USA summer break in the middle of their school year. Please note, we have limited spots for our January Academic Year and Semester programs.
Students applying for the Semester program will complete between 4 to 6 months based on the semester calendar of the school they are attending. Please note, the September Academic Year program will finish in June of the following year.
We are not able to offer 2 or 3 month programs to the USA due to visa restrictions. 2 & 3 month programs are available to Canada and other destinations.
Please see Short Programs for alternate destinations.
Schools
High schools in the USA offer diverse subjects, extracurricular activities, and a supportive environment. Students can explore various interests, join sports teams and clubs like cheerleading or american football, you will also receive guidance from dedicated teachers all through your exchange year.
If you are on the classic program you will be placed at the local high school in your host family’s community
American high schools help students to discover their passions, expand their knowledge, and build a foundation for a successful future.
Additional fees are needed for school books, activity fees, sports check-up, lunches in the cafeteria.
Visa
All applicants are required to apply for a visa at their own expense. This requires an appointment at the US Embassy, which may involve travelling to your nearest consulate. Students cannot book their visa appointment prior to receiving either the DS2019 form (J-1 Visa).
Please note: USA immigration fees including Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee of USD$220 as well as Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee of USD$185 is charged in addition to the program fee. These fees form part of the visa application process and are required by the USA immigration authority.
Language criteria
Not applicable.
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.
Australia: Department of Home Affairs
Australia: Foreign Embassies & Consulates
New Zealand: Foreign Embassies & Consulates
The budget allocated for flights to USA is AU$3,200 of the program price listed below. We may need to charge a flight surcharge if we cannot obtain a flight within this budget. For more information, please see our Flight Surcharge Policy on our Money Matters page.
Classic Program Prices for USA
| Length | Program Departure | Price AUD | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Semester | Aug 2025 | $13,450 | Apr 15, 2025 |
| Academic Year | Aug 2025 | $14,950 | Apr 15, 2025 |
| Academic Semester | Jan 2026 | $13,450 | July 31, 2025 |
| Calendar Year | Jan 2026 | $16,450 | July 31, 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.
USA Program dates vary from depending on the location, all states are different as they are determined by the schools. 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. 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.
Area choices
Students applying for the USA have the option to pick the location they would like to live in during their exchange for August departures only. The deadline for applications with Location Options close on December 15, the year prior to departure.
Students will need to complete a separate form if they’d like to select their location/s. This form is then sent with the application form to our overseas partner. If applicants are successfully placed in one of their preferred locations, then an additional location fee will be applied to the normal program price.
Placement on one of these limited spots will be confirmed when your application is received by our office, accepted and your deposit paid.
Please note, eligibility criteria applies for Area Requests:
- B+ average or higher
- No allergies (dogs, cats, nuts etc.)
- No dietary restrictions
- No pre-existing medical conditions
Location selection options are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
High school choice
Students who are looking to go on exchange to the USA have the option to apply for a semester or academic year program and choose from a range of schools or school districts in the USA.
Our USA High School Choice program allows students to enter the USA on an F1 visa. In addition to choosing where they would like to study while on exchange, the F1 visa allows the applicant to attend school on a full academic program. This provides the opportunity to gain study credits and diplomas needed to attend a University in the USA.
Soft Landing Camp in New York
Optional at an additional cost AU$1,995 pp.
Please check with your Program Coordinator to see if you are eligible to join this Soft Landing Camp as availability depends on where your host family lives in the USA. August programs only.
Soft Landing Camp:
- Stay in a double or triple room for three nights
- Breakfast
- Important preparatory meetings
- Networking with other students
- Camp Leaders assistance you thorough your stay
- Sightseeing tours at Manhattan
- All transport between airport, hotel and Manhattan
- Lunch and dinner is not included, we will make sure to give you information on what’s most affordable
Agenda (example only):
Day 1: Flights from your destination to Newark, check-in at the hotel and arrival information meeting Day 2: Information meeting, Sightseeing
Day 3: Information meeting, Sightseeing
Day 4: Departure to your host family
Please note that the program is subject to change and a flight surcharge may apply.
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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Please call our office if the application deadline is fast approaching & you need to get started quickly.
Education & Training Directorate, ACT Government
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NSW Department of Education
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Northern Territory Department of Education
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Queensland Department of Education & Training
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South Australia Department for Education
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Tasmanian Assessment, Standards & Certification
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Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
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Western Australia Department of Education
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.
