Questions & Answers

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

1. What are the criteria for admission?
   EF High School Year considers the following things in making adecision to accept your application: your date of birth, your not having worked full time, your being a full time student and your language ability. We also consider strongly your motivation and your attitude towards spending a year abroad.
2. When can I leave on my exchange year?
   EF High School Year has two possible departures per year. You can either begin your year in July or January.
3. Can I speak to former EF High School Year students?
   Absolutely! We encourage you to talk to former EF High School Year students. You will find a list of names and phone numbers of former EF students from your country in the "Meet an EF exchange student" section of this Website. Why not check it out?
4. Can I get a scholarship to study with EF High School Year?
   EF High School Year offers partial scholarships based on need and merit. When you submit your on-line, pre-application form, please indicate that you would like to be considered for a scholarship.
5. How do you choose EF host families?
   EF High School Year has offices and local staff members in allof our host countries. All EF host families are carefullyinterviewed and screened to judge their suitability to host anexchange 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?
   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 courses 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 on 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 holidays will, of course, depend on your host country. Most countries have a Christmas and spring break.
11. Can I continue to practice my favorite sports and hobbies?
    We will try to match you with a host family who shares your interests and with a town in which 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 abroad?
    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?
    Of course, EF encourages you to discover your host country during your 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!
14. What happens if I become ill during my exchange year?
    If you fall ill during your year abroad, your host family willtake care of you much the same way your family would do backhome. If you should need to see a doctor, your host family andlocal 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 can help you with that by signing you up for the ERIKA-insurance, an especially designed insurance for exchange- and study-programs abroad.