Embark with us on a journey that will change your life forever.
Challenge yourself and grow up. 
Become bilingual and bicultural. 
Improve yourself as a person: make the best out of your potential. 
Realize a dream. 
Embrace the world with Nacel. 
Book your school year abroad.
Be high school exchange student now! 

Learn more about our exchange programs for high school students! Look for your High School study abroad with Nacel, your high school study abroad organization.

Nacel is a student exchange organization since 1957! We have more than 60 years of experience in organizing student exchange programs all over the world. Nacel team helps you make your dream come true and create the conditions for you to enjoy your study abroad program peacefully: we take care of your studies, your accommodation, your arrival, your insurances and your visa. We follow up your progress during your school year abroad and support you in case of difficulties.

Thousands of high school exchange students have travelled with us and many of them share their school year abroad experience with you. Choose now the best places to study abroad. We have decades of experience in organising study abroad programs for secondary school students

Contact our organization to learn more about our exchange programs for high school students, including our summer high school exchange

Dutch High School Abroad
French High School Abroad
German High School Abroad
Italian High School Abroad
Japanese High School Abroad
Portuguese High School Abroad
Spanish High School Abroad

What should I expect from my student exchange program abroad with Nacel?

For students looking for a broader experience of life in a foreign country, Nacel offers High school student exchange programs abroad during a few weeks, a term, a semester or a full academic year. High School exchange students on a school year abroad live in a host family or choose a student residence or a boarding school. They attend a public or private high school abroad, giving them the opportunity to learn about another culture and improve their language skills.

Who is the high school study abroad experience for? High School Year Exchange programs for high school students are usually open to students aged 13 – 18 years old (according to the country). Student exchange programs are open to high school students from any country. Some restrictions may apply due to visa and foreign residency conditions.

How long does a high school exchange program last? High School study abroad is possible with a duration of:

  • a month,
  • a term,
  • a semester
  • or an academic year.

What type of school does an exchange student typically study at? School year abroad students attend Public & Private Student Exchange Programs.

Where do high school exchange students live in? During the high school abroad program, accommodation is offered in:

  • host families,
  • boarding quarters
  • or student residences.

When hosted in a family, high school exchange students are placed in a safe and pleasant home. The home is carefully selected. Every attempt is made to match family and student where possible in terms of interests.

Where does Nacel offer high school exchange programs abroad?

Nacel is an organization that offers high school exchange programs worldwide. School year abroad available in 17 countries. Choose your preferred destination for your exchange programs for high school students. We offer study abroad program for high school students for various foreign languages:

English speaking high school exchange year abroad:

  • high school study abroad in Canada
  • high school study abroad in Ireland
  • high school study abroad in New Zealand
  • high school study abroad in South Africa
  • high school study abroad in United Kingdom
  • high school study abroad in the United States

German speaking high school exchange year abroad in:

  • high school study abroad in Germany

French speaking high school exchange year abroad in:

  • high school study abroad in France

Spanish speaking high school exchange year abroad in:

  • high school study abroad in Spain
  • high school study abroad in Chile
  • high school study abroad in Argentina
  • high school study abroad in Ecuador
  • high school study abroad in Mexico

Dutch speaking high school exchange year abroad in

  • high school study abroad in the Netherlands

Russian speaking high school exchange year abroad in:

  • high school study abroad in Russia

Portuguese speaking high school exchange year abroad in:

  • high school study abroad in Brazil
  • high school study abroad in Portugal

Italian speaking high school exchange year abroad in :

  • high school study abroad in Italy

Japanese speaking high school exchange year abroad in:

  • high school study abroad in Japan

Who can apply to be a high school exchange student abroad?

Participating in a High School study abroad means full immersion in the host country's life, and as such it is an ideal way to achieve proficiency in the spoken language of the country as well as gain a complete cross-cultural experience. the best way to bilingualism!

The student exchange program is selective : every student must be interviewed before being accepted.

Each high school exchange student needs to comply with the following requirements :

  • Age specification according to the country,
  • 2 or more years of language study with good grades,
  • An above-average academic record,
  • A previous experience of living away from home,
  • An interest in learning about another culture and language,
  • A willingness to make new friends and to share the daily life of a host family,
  • An open and flexible attitude.

How should I apply to a high school study abroad?

Contact Nacel, your high school study abroad organization. We will guide you and support you during your whole journey!

APPLICATION DEADLINE : Applications for student exchange programs abroad are usually accepted:

  • until March for sessions starting in August-September
  • and until September for sessions starting in January.

Please check accurate deadlines for each school year abroad program. Late applicants may be accepted, depending on availability and visa delays.

Early application is highly recommended. A student interested in this high school study abroad should contact us immediately and email us the pre-application to secure a place.
Then the student will have to carefully fill out the full application form.

VISA: A High School study abroad program may require students to apply for a student visa, depending on the home country of the applicant, the destination country of his exchange program and even the duration of the student exchange abroad. We inform and assist our exchange students during their visa application process.

CREDITS/TRANSFERS

The exchange student is not guaranteed:

  • placement in a certain grade level,
  • or that transferable credits will be granted,
  • or that a diploma will be awarded at the end of the High school exchange program.

These decisions remain at the entire discretion of the national educational authorities. Accreditation for courses taken while on the program is the responsibility of the participant. Nacel is not responsible for the procedures needed in this process but may surely assist and advise.

Are you looking for a bilingual exchange program? Opt for a school year abroad in:

- an American school in Paris: Notre-Dame International High School (French + English)
- a bilingual program in Montreal: live with a French speaking host family and study at an English speaking school! (French + English)

Study Abroad with Nacel! Book your school year abroad now. Discover our exchange programs for high school students!

Frequently asked questions

The benefits of studying abroad are multiple.

 Here are some that you may want to consider:

  • Develop and improve new language skills.
  • Immerse yourself in a new culture and way of living.
  • Become more independent.
  • Gain a new perspective of your country, the destination country and the world while appreciating diversity.
  • Find a family, make new friends and establish international friendships that could last a lifetime.

Each country has different requirements.  In general, these are the most important:

Age requirement: The student must be between 13 and 18 years old  (See the country you are interested in for specific information)

Language skills: Two or more years of language studies.

Academic record: An excellent academic record, with good grades.

Attitude: Having an open mind and flexible attitude are crucial. 

Motivation: Exhibiting willingness to adapt to a new country, culture, school system, and family customs is critical to success.

Having a spirit of adventure!

Most certainly, you can choose the length that is more favorable to your needs. It could be a term, semester or an academic year.

We also offer short-term homestay and school integration experiences in various countries, starting from just two weeks.

It will depend on each country and school system. 

In some countries, the host schools are only allowed to issue a certificate of attendance to their exchange students; in other countries, host schools may issue a grade report which cannot be adapted to your specific needs. It would be a similar report to the ones given to their local students. 

You may not be graded in all subjects. The grading scale used is the one of the destination or host country and cannot be adapted to your country’s scale. 

The credit system is mainly used in the USA and Canada. In most other countries of the world, you earn a grade report listing your subjects, your grade, and perhaps a teacher comment, but no credits or GPA. 

You will need to provide your home school with your grade report, and they will determine which and how many credits they may award you based on your host school’s grade report.

If you attend an international private school, which is typically a boarding school, the school may be accredited by international organizations such as IB World Schools, or by British or American accreditation bodies if they teach British or American curriculums.

Nacel International cannot guarantee credit transfer. We always advise our exchange students to discuss the credit requirements with their home high school prior to applying to the program.

Most certainly! Among the purposes of our programs are acquiring cultural understanding and making new friends.  One of the paths to obtain them is via extracurricular activities.

It's possible that your high school may not offer programs related to your interests or hobbies. However, this shouldn't be a problem as your host town will likely have various clubs, community facilities, and sports centers where you can continue to develop your skills and make lasting friendships. 

The cost will depend on:

The country.

The type of school you’d be attending: public, private, international, boarding school.

The length of your program.

The price range can be quite diverse, from the most affordable options, starting at 1,500 USD, to the most comprehensive programs, priced at around 35,000 USD.

Once you know the Nacel study abroad program you are interested in, refer to its Price tab section to review what is and is not included. Generally speaking, international airfare, visa and passport fees are not included. 

The type of accommodation provided, whether it's a host family, boarding school or a student residence, varies for each program and it may or may not be included in its price. Similarly, transfers from the airport to the program's location or the accommodation may be included or not.

For students under 18 years old (minor children), we highly suggest booking the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service offered by major carriers to avoid any difficulties during the travel. Parents of underage children will be requested to sign a Parent’s Travel Release.

The Nacel application process for an exchange student program involves several stages to ensure a thorough evaluation of candidates and to match them with suitable host families and high schools.

It's important to note that the specifics of the application process may vary depending on the country involved. 

Here's an overview of a typical application process for an study abroad program:

  • After you have decided with your family to become an exchange student with Nacel, you start your application.
  • The application form collects personal information, academic background, motivations for participating, and preferences.
  • You must submit supporting documents such as academic transcripts, recommendation letters, an introduction letter, video, medical records, and any other relevant documents as specified by the program.
  • Successful candidates are notified of their acceptance into the program. The local coordinators then work on matching the student with an appropriate host family and high school based on compatibility and availability.
  • If a visa is required, Nacel obtains an enrollment letter from the local high school so you can attach it to the rest of the requirements to process your student visa at the consulate of your country of residence.
  • Nacel will provide guidance on travel arrangements and itinerary planning.

Absolutely! Participating in a school exchange program abroad will help you stand out with your college and university applications. 

Studying abroad can provide you a unique academic experience that sets you apart from others. Besides that, your language skills will improve dramatically, you will learn to be more independent and gain more flexibility, open-mindedness, and intercultural skills that fellow university applicants will not possess. 

Colleges, universities and employers highly value exchange programs abroad experiences.

To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, it is advisable to plan and prepare in advance. We recommend contacting Nacel between September and December if you want to travel the following September. This will give you enough time to gather information, discuss your plans with your parents and high school counselor, and prepare your application form carefully. 

If you are ready to work on your application quickly, you may wait until January to March, knowing that you must be on top of documents and communications. 

For those planning to start their exchange program abroad in January, it is best to start inquiring in July or August and begin working on your application in September. 

You will stay with a local host family who will welcome you as an additional family member. Your host parents and siblings will provide encouragement, support, full board and share their daily life with you. 

Your safety is our main concern, so every eligible host family is fully vetted by our Local Coordinators. Our screening includes a criminal background check for each member of the household who is 18 and older, as well as in person interviews and visits to the host family’s place of residence.

Our programs revolve around the warmth and comfort of host family accommodation, and we've got over 60 years of experience in making it happen!

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