Questions? Reach out!
Study abroad in
Germany
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in Germany, stepping into the shoes of a local high school student and living with a German host family.
Going with WEP is best
Since 1988, a wide choice of destinations and comprehensive assistance before, during and after your overseas program. WEP is the ideal partner for your adventure.
We also get to choose who we travel with: our schools, host families and overseas partner organisations are carefully selected.
We offer a custom-made insurance policy, specifically designed for our participants, and we have a solid network behind us.
Emergency assistance, overseas and from Australia, is available 7 days out of 7, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Allowing all our participants to live their desired overseas experience is a mission, a challenge we're thrilled to accept.
Why study in Germany?
Studying in Germany on a student exchange program is much more than an opportunity to improve your German - it's a true cultural journey, a full immersion in a country rich in history, traditions and... fun.
Germany is the native country of many artists and great minds, such as Goethe, Bach, Kant, who shaped and transformed the German mindset, and the world in general. Every German city has a few treasures waiting to be discovered: museums, majestic cathedrals, incredible castles, but also music festival, Oktoberfest, and the famous German Christmas markets with their lights, artisanal produce and typical dishes such as Currywurst and Bretzel.
In addition to its cultural-historical heritage, Germany is a country of innovation and creativity, always ready for change and open to transformation. You'll be studying in a country at the centre of Europe, full of opportunities!
Study in Germany with WEP
Studying in Germany as an exchange student allows you to fully immerse yourself in the country's culture and language, improving your German as you experience life as a local and make new friendships and connections.
Through WEP's high school exchange program to Germany, you will discover the most authentic side of Deutschland as you attend a local high school and live with a host family, allowing you to get close to the culture and customs of the German people.
The German education system
School in Germany starts at the age of 6 with Grundschule, primary school, which lasts four years. Depending on each Länder (region), students can continue with different types of lower and upper secondary schooling: Hauptschule/Realschule (from year 5 to 10), Gesamtschule (year 5 to 12) or Gymnasium (year 5 to 12). Students attending Gymnasium, the most academically-focused type of program, sit a final exam called Abitur to obtain their high school diploma.
For those wishing to continue with tertiary education, there are several choices: university, offering a wide range of academic subjects such as medicine, history and literature; Fachhochschulen or Hochschulen have a larger focus on vocational education, teaching students the necessary practical and professional skills to enter the workforce in a given area.
FAQ
To participante in a high school exchange program to Germany, you need to be between 15 and 18 years old on departure, have a C grade average, be a non-smoker, and have positive personal traits, such as being motivated, curious, tolerant, open and adaptable. You also need to be physically and emotionally healthy - please discuss any specific conditions or requirements with WEP in advance.
Our high school exchange programs in Germany can be of different durations: short-term (under 90 days), an academic semester, an academic year, or a calendar year. The exact duration depends on the departure period - please contact WEP for more information.
To decide which program duration is best for you, you should reflect on what you would like to achieve through the program, and discuss your preferences both with your family, to make sure they are on board, and with your school, to ensure that you understand their policy regarding re-integrating into Australian schooling and any requirements to repeat school back home.
It's always best to check our website and/on obtain an online quote to see updated program prices.
We know a high school exchange program oversaes is a significant financial investment. We do our best to offer the best possible prices, which vary depending on the destination and chosen program, and provide discounts and special promotions to help towards the cost. As a not-for-profit organisation working with international partners to provide exchange programs in a variety of countries, our program fees are based solely on the cost of program components, both in Australia and overseas. The program fee is allocated between the overseas organisation, WEP Australia, travel and independent contractors for flights and insurance.
You will live with a German volunteer host family, who may be located anywhere in the country.