Program Details
| Program Length | Start | End | Program Cost | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Year | Late August | Early July | US$10,000 | 16 - 17.6 |
Age Explanation: Age on Departure reflect both the years and month(s) of the age of the applicant at the start of the program. For example, if the age is listed as 16.1 the applicant should be 16 years and 1 month at departure.
United States Details :
The United States is often described as a “melting pot,” meaning that U.S. culture is a unified combination of the many cultures brought by people who were born in or came to live in the U.S. While Americans do generally share certain cultural traits, such as the value of hard work, independence and a direct style of communication, pockets of imported cultures exist in most cities. These continue to play a significant role in the daily lives of inhabitants and their values. Note that the picture of U.S. culture that is presented by the entertainment industry to the world is generally an exaggerated version of what a participant may find in typical U.S. towns. Generally, participants will find less violence, less wealth and less sexually open behavior than one might imagine from watching Hollywood movies or U.S. television programs. Participants will find, however, a country with a great variety of landscapes, climates and lifestyles. We hope that wherever you are placed, you will discover those things that make your community a unique and wonderful place to live.
In the U.S., education is primarily the responsibility of the 50 states, not the national government in Washington, DC. Each state has its own education system, but state governments, in turn, give much of the responsibility to local school districts. There are more than 15,000 school districts in the U.S., and hundreds can be found in one state alone! As a result, procedures, schedules, required courses, etc. very greatly from school to school.
In general, the school year is divided into two terms. The first term begins in late August or early September and lasts until late December. The second term begins in January and ends in late May or June. There are usually winter and spring vacations. At the beginning of the school year, students meet with an advisor who helps them select classes. Usually five or six different classes are selected depending on the student’s age, school record, abilities and wishes. The school day begins between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and ends around 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. A typical class lasts about 50 minutes. Some schools now have what is called a block schedule, which typically consists of four blocks of 90 to 120 minutes each. American classes usually do not have formal lectures. Teachers often prefer discussions in their classrooms, and expect students to ask questions and to contribute ideas and analysis. Class participation is a means for teachers to judge a student’s understanding of a subject. A student’s participation in class discussions may also be used to help determine the student’s final grade. Most teachers assign homework daily. The homework may be reading, answering questions or writing a paper. Many times these assignments are due the following day. However, larger homework assignments may be given a longer period of completion time. In nearly all classes, the teacher collects the homework and counts it as part of a student’s grade. In the U.S., completion of homework is required; it is not just for practice. Examinations may include essays, short-answer and multiple-choice questions.
