High School Exchange programs:
become an exchange student
for a life-changing experience

Students possessing all manners of different personality traits successfully become WEP exchange students. Whilst all of them share a common curiosity and tolerance of other peoples and cultures, our students can be outgoing or reserved, quiet or loud, imaginative or productive, or just a bit of everything!

Generally, students must be aged between 15 and 18 to qualify. However, some countries or programs may be more flexible in accepting younger applicants, while others have very specific age requirements. For example, students interested in the UK program must turn 16 before September 1 on the year of application and be no older than 17 and 9 months on program. Please contact us for more information.

Language experience is desirable, but not necessary, for most countries. However, some countries have mandatory language requirements. You'll find the specific requirements for each country listed on its page. Intensive language courses may, in some circumstances, meet language pre-requisites. WEP strongly recommends language preparation prior to departure as language knowledge is of enormous benefit in assisting you to quickly adapt to your new family, school and life.

Of course, there are English-speaking destinations available if you are not interested in learning another language.

In order to be accepted into the program, you need at least a C grade average at school. If applying for an English-speaking country, you are required to maintain passing grades in all subjects whilst overseas. However, in non-English speaking countries you are simply expected to display a concerted, conscientious approach to your schoolwork while you master the language. Irrespective of language skills, students are expected to participate in all assessments (exams, tests, etc).

After having thought carefully about why you want to be an exchange student, convinced your parents of the idea, spoken to your teachers and completed our application form, you should be assured that your chances of being accepted are high! Provided you meet the academic, health and broad personality requirements of your chosen program, there is usually little reason for us to prevent you from following your ambition and becoming an exchange student.

We recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to ensure it is complete before applications close. WEP Australia and the receiving organisation need to ensure that you are suitable for the program, that you have the support of your parents and school in Australia, and that your expectations are realistic. The application is integral in finding a match between the student and the host family, to assist in solving any problems while you are away and to ensure you are in agreement with the legal requirements of the program.

Yes, as long as you meet any specific requirements to qualify for your chosen country (e.g. the USA don't accept any failing grades, the UK have more restrictive age requirements, Germany requires one year of prior language study...). Any specific requrements are listed on the country page and can be double checked with WEP.

It depends on the country, and which program options are available there. On a Classic student exchange program, there is no avenue for students to choose a specific location and you could be placed anywhere within your host country. Classic + programs and some Flex programs offer an extra level of choice with respect to location or school.

High School Exchange Programs (Classic, Classic + and Flex): you and a friend can apply for the same program, but you are unlikely to be placed in the same area or host community (unless you both pick the same school as part of a Flex program to Canada or France). Two students of the same nationality are also never placed in the same host family. An exchange is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the only way to reap its many rewards, is to fully immerse yourself in a new culture and put your energy into forming new friendships in the host community.

WEP Australia is unable to say whether you will have to repeat school upon your return. You should discuss your plans with your school before deciding to go on exchange. In most cases, students in years 9 and 10 are able to go away for a semester or a year and fit back into the same year level as their peers upon return. For older students this is less likely to be the case and quite often students must repeat the year of Australian schooling that they have missed, unless they go overseas for a short-term program during the summer holidays. If you are concerned about this, jump on the phone! We can provide lots of helpful tips and advice.

No. In some countries you may have a ceremonial graduation and/or receive a honorary diploma or certificate of participation, but it will have no bearing on gaining entry into a tertiary institution in Australia.

Students must be enrolled in full-time secondary education prior to departure and after return to Australia. If you have already graduated, or will have graduated/completed your secondary schooling by the time you wish to go overseas, unfortunately you are not eligible for a high school student exchange program.

The good news is that we have other options and programs for you to travel overseas through WEP, such as Language Study programs or Volunteering & Internships programs. Please explore our website or contact us to receive more information.

You should have access to at least AUD $450 a month to pay for your personal items, transport to and from school, any lunches purchased at school, school uniform (if required), subject levies, any additional immunisations required for school enrolment, entertainment, the occasional meal out with your family or friends, phone calls, school/optional trips etc. Additionally, you should take AUD $500 for initial purchases on arrival in your exchange country, such as school books, good quality winter clothing, etc.

Independent travel is not permissible while on exchange. However, you will be able to travel with your host family, school, host organisation and other community groups such as sporting teams or scouts. Again, the foremost aim of the program is educational and your priority for any holidays must be spending time your host family, who will be investing a lot of time, energy and money into your program.

First consider if you are confident and mature enough to undertake a student exchange program. If you can't fly and negotiate airports by yourself (with detailed instructions provided by WEP as part of your preparation for departure), maybe you are not quite ready for this program.

Relatives and friends are not permitted to visit you while on exchange. Our experience shows that such visits unsettle students and interrupt schooling. Remember, this is an educational program and you must attend school full time. Your parents can meet and travel with you at the end of your program.

Yes, if you are really unhappy, you and your parents/legal guardians can decide to bring you back home early. However, WEP Australia and our overseas partner organisation will work very hard to ensure you have a successful program. Most problems can be solved, and our experience tells us that students who insist on returning early to Australia regret their decision. Hopefully you will have thought long and hard about going on exchange. It will take determination, courage and your best efforts, especially in the first few weeks.

Great care is taken to ensure suitability! All families are interviewed in the family home. Parents are also reference checked, and criminal history checks are conducted in all countries, for any person(s) living in the home over the age of 18.

You will have a local coordinator to assist you in coping with any difficulties you may have while overseas, and includes any problems with your host family. Most of the problems experienced by students are due to miscommunication and culture shock so an independent mediator is often all that is required. If problems persist you will be able to contact WEP’s international partner organisation who will be available to help you solve the problem.

It may be possible to live with a family that you already know (e.g. friends). However, the family will have to be screened and approved, prepared and supported by our partner organisation in the same manner as any other host family. School enrolment must also be available. Placement with relatives is generally not approved.

Host families come in all shapes and sizes. They represent a complete cross-section of each host community and the richness of family diversity in today's world. Families can be "nuclear" (mum, dad plus children), "empty-nesters" (older couples or singles who now have grown children), couples (de facto or married) of any age with or without children, blended families, same-sex couples, single parents with children, single adults and more.

Most importantly, on Classic programs, host families are all volunteers, eager to host students and are carefully interviewed and screened to ensure that they will make an appropriate host family. On Flex programs, host families are equally screened and selected, however they receive a stipend/subsidy to help with the costs associated with hosting an exchange student.

No, most programs require students to arrive and depart from their host countries on specific dates. School start dates, arrival orientation programs, visa rules and host country regulations are factors that determine program dates. In exceptional circumstances, a student may be given permission to arrive or depart on an alternative date. In such a case, the student must be prepared to travel independently and unassisted, internationally, in Australia and to and from the host family community.

Placement information (including host family details) may become available at any time after you are officially accepted to the program. Normally, you will be advised of your host family well before you leave Australia; however, in some countries (e.g. Spain and the USA) and for some students, host family information may not be available until shortly prior to departure. Prior to departure from Australia, all students will receive host family, host school and local coordinator details.

In the beginning it is rare for students not to have feeling of homesickness. However, managing these situations by yourself, along with our support, is one of the great benefits of going on exchange. It builds self-confidence, maturity and a sense of perspective. WEP Australia will provide comprehensive preparatory resources ahead of your departure, to explore this topic further and give you practical tips on how to address homesickness during your exchange.

Generally, for short-term programs (under 90 days in duration), no student visa is required. For longer programs you will typically need to get a student visa and WEP Australia will assist you with this process. Note: visa costs vary depending on the destination, and are not included in the program fee.

Your host family, local coordinator and your host organisation will provide you with support while you are overseas. WEP Australia will remain in contact with the host organisation and your parents to coordinate and support your experience. In case of an emergency, both you and your family will be able to call an emergency phone number that is answered 24/7.

Yes, the staff at WEP Australia are available to you and your parents 24 hours a day for emergencies. We are more than happy to discuss your progress during office hours. In some host countries, in accordance with the culture, your parents will receive written reports on your progress.

No, your family will not be required to host an exchange student in return. Of course, we would be extremely grateful if your family did consider offering another student the same hospitality and care that you will receive. If you did decide to host a student in Australia before, or shortly after your own exchange program, you would also receive a rebate on your outbound program fee. Contact us for more information!

Yes, the program fee covers all flight costs from designated departure airports to your arrival port and back, on quality international airlines.

The insurance policy, the cost of which is included in your program fee (except for Canada), is comprehensive and covers medical, baggage, accident, repatriation and third party liability. WEP always recommends ensuring that this insurance cover is adequate for your own personal circumstances. Please reach out if you would like us to send you a copy of the current PDS.

Note for Canada: a different insurance cover, provided by the school district, is included. On top of that, the WEP insurance policy can be purchased at an additional cost - please reach out to discuss further.

We pride ourselves on our personal approach, so jump on the phone to 1300 884 733 or email us at info@wep.org.au. We also offer a range of 100% free information events and appointments, which you can book at this link.