International exchange

As a rule, a student exchange takes place over the duration of one school year. However, there are also shorter programs. A duration of at least five months, or half a school year, is found by some to be helpful. It simply takes time to settle into a life with a different type of school, language and culture.

There are two different varieties of exchange:

• Mutual exchange: the organization is either through the school or other exchange programs on their own initiative. Many schools in North Rhine-Westphalia have maintained an exchange program with partner schools for many years. This involves students going abroad to live with host families. In return, the host siblings come to Germany.
• One-way exchange: the way abroad can also be through an exchange organization. There are a number of organizations that take care of the entire process of a stay abroad: from the search for the right host family to travel and insurance. There is no return visit.

A privately organized student exchange can cost a lot of money, depending on the duration of the stay and the destination country. The costs are for travel, visas, insurance, pocket money, possibly for introductory seminars and excursions. However, there are support programs and scholarships that cover all or at least part of the costs.

The dream of a stay abroad does not have to fail because of the costs. Scholarship providers can be government programs, associations, companies, foundations and exchange organizations. The requirements vary. It is important to know that not only "high flyers" with the best grades can get a place. It is therefore worthwhile to find out exactly what the requirements are and to send off an application. Students at grammar schools, comprehensive schools and technical and vocational colleges may also be able to receive BAföG during their year abroad.

Among others, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government offer programs that enable young people to experience a year abroad with the help of a scholarship:

• Worth knowing about the North Rhine-Westphalian state programs. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia currently offers state programs in individual student exchanges with France and the United Kingdom. Exchanges with Australia, Canada (Québec) and New Zealand have been suspended until further notice due to the Corona pandemic. More information and the application forms are available here on the website of the Düsseldorf district government, which coordinates the international exchange program in state-wide responsibility in NRW.
• Worth knowing about the Federal Parliamentary Sponsorship Program PPP. The German Bundestag awards scholarships for an exchange year in the U.S. to high school students and young professionals. At the same time, young people from the U.S. are guests in Germany for an exchange year.
  • Pupils who are at least 15 and no more than 17 years old at the time of departure on July 31 can apply. The school education must not have been completed yet. More info on the application process for high school students is available here.
  • Young professionals and apprentices may also apply if they have completed vocational training and are 24 years of age or younger at the time they leave the country. More info on the application process for young professionals and trainees is here.
  • For the application deadline for the next PPP program, please refer to the current website. General information about the PPP program and answers to frequently asked questions can be found here on the website of the German Bundestag.

Which conditions applicants must fulfill varies greatly between the different exchange programs. There are often formal or school requirements that must be met. These may include, for example:

• Age: Those who want to go abroad should usually be between 15 and 18 years old and still go to school.
• Language: Many exchange programs require applicants to have sufficient knowledge of the language spoken in the destination country.
• School grades: There are organizations that expect applicants to have a minimum grade point average in certain subjects. This also depends on the particular program.

For a longer stay without parents abroad, you should also personally bring some important qualities with you:

• Are you motivated? You should have a desire for the new experience, which may hold one or two surprises and challenges for you. Small difficulties should not immediately throw you off track.
• Are you curious? You should be ready to engage with a foreign family, a different environment and a new culture.
• Can you adapt? Probably in the foreign country so many things run differently than you are used to at home. If you are tolerant and flexible, you will be able to adapt more easily to the new living conditions.
• Are you open-minded? Respect for the host family should be as natural for you as the willingness to behave helpful and accommodating to your host parents and host siblings.

Preparing for a self-organized student exchange abroad requires a certain amount of preparation time. It is advisable to start thinking about it early enough, at least 12 to 18 months before your planned departure. There is a lot to do: talk to your parents, get the consent of your school, choose the appropriate exchange program and organization, clarify the financing and much more.