Questions & Answers

Below are some questions that are frequently asked about High School Year Overseas. If you have additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call us.

  1. What are the criteria for acceptance onto the program?
    EF High School Year Overseas considers the following things in making a decision to accept your application: your date of birth, your being a full time high school student and your grades from school, you need at least a 'C' average for the last two years. For France, if students do not have 2 years of French studies, they may be accepted under special conditions. We also consider your motivation, your attitude and your maturity.
  2. When can I leave on my exchange year?
    EF High School Year Overseas has three possible departures per year. You can either begin your year in July/August or January for a year or semester program. The short term program start in November.
  3. Can I speak to former EF High School Year Overseas students?
    Absolutely! We encourage you to talk to former EF High School Year Overseas students. Give us a call and we will put you in touch with a returned student in your area.
  4. What kind of scholarships does EF High School Year Overseas offer?
    EF High School Year Overseas offers partial scholarships for students applying for the full year programs. The scholarsip will be awarded based on grades, an essay, community involvement and financial need. A special scholarship application form will be mailed to all students who apply for a scholarship with their pre-application form.
  5. How do you choose EF host families?
    EF High School Year Overseas has offices and local staff members in all of our host countries. All EF host families are carefully interviewed and screened to judge their suitability to host an exchange student. Each family fills out an application similar to the student application. We check the host family's references and question them about their motivation for hosting. Many of our EF host families host students year after year.
  6. Will my host family have children my age?
    As families everywhere, EF families come in all shapes and sizes. Many host families do have children about the same age as EF students. Some, however, do not. Remember that whether your family has kids your age or not, you will be going to high school where you will be among lots of students your age. Also, your EF representative will have contact with other EF exchange students in your area, so you will meet them too!
  7. If I have a problem, can I change hostfamilies?
    Remember that it will take time for you to get to know and understand your new host family, so you should give the relationship a chance. Your EF representative is always available to help in the event that you should need to change families.
  8. What subjects do I have to take?
    Required courses in your host high school depend on the educational system of your host country. In most countries, however, you must take history of your host country and one language topic.
  9. Will I be able to"graduate"?
    Policies on graduation vary greatly from school to school. While many EF students have been able to graduate while our program in the United States, EF has no control to determine who will and will not be able to receive a diploma.
  10. How much holiday time will I have to travel?
    Your school holidays will, of course, depend on your host country. Most countries have a Christmas and spring break. There is also a long summer break in the Northern Hemisphere summer.
  11. Can I continue my favorite sports and hobbies?
    We will try to place you with a host family in an area where you have the possibility of participating in the activities you enjoy. Of course, your exchange year is the perfect time for you to try new sports and activities. Maybe you could join a sports club abroad that you would not join at home.
  12. Is it possible to get a driver's license overseas?
    This depends on your host family, your age and most importantly the laws of the state and city in which you are living. Again, we can not guarantee that you will be able to drive, but you may have a chance to do so.
  13. Will I be able to travel during my exchange year?
    EF encourages you to discover your host country during your school holidays. In fact, we organize exciting EF Discovery Tours so that you can travel with other EF exchange students. These carefully planned trips are affordable and a lot of fun! However, don't forget that your exchange experience is first of all an academic and cultural experience and not a tourist one.
  14. What happens if I become ill during my exchange year?
    If you fall ill during your year abroad, your host family will take care of you much the same way your family would do back home. If you should need to see a doctor, your host family and local EF representative will be able to help you find one. The most important thing to remember is to have an adequate medical and travel insurance before you leave your home country. EF recommends ERIKA Health, Medical and Travel Insurance, an especially designed insurance for EF High School Year Overseas students. All students receive more information about ERIKA in one of the Monthly Mailings.