Host family quality is one of the biggest factors in a successful High School Abroad experience, so Nacel puts every prospective family through a careful vetting process before matching them with a student.

• Selection process. Local coordinators personally interview and visit each prospective host family before approving them to host an exchange student.
• What host families are like. Approved families are warm, welcoming, and open-minded; proud to share their lifestyle and language; willing to fully include an exchange student in their family and community; and aware that today's youth need to grow into world citizens.
• Room arrangements. Students may be placed in an individual room or a shared room, depending on the destination and program. Students of different sexes are never placed in the same room, and roommates sharing a room are generally no more than 4 years apart in age.
• Independence expectations. Host families are not responsible for organizing activities or entertainment for the student. Exchange students need their own spending money and should be mature enough to occupy themselves and engage with their host community independently.

Bottom line: Nacel's host families are personally vetted for warmth and openness, but parents should prepare their child for a degree of independence, since host families support and welcome students without acting as full-time activity planners.

Here are some tips for you:
1) Communicate! Please talk about everything and be open with your host family. For example, tell them about your school life, where you are going, and what time you will return. Make a point to discuss host family rules, and schedules (such as when you can take a bath) right away.
2) Ask Questions. When in doubt, ask your host family for help. You might not understand everything at first, but your host family wants to help. You might feel less independent in the beginning, but these feelings will go away eventually. Don’t hesitate, or feel it is impolite to ask many questions. This is normal.
3) Discuss Issues. Sometimes there will be small problems adjusting for you and your host family. It is important to talk about these frustrations even if they seem small. Always talk to your host family first about any problems. If you become sick, tell your host family right away.
4) Allow adjustment time. You may form an image of your host family within the first couple of days that isn’t accurate. Your host family might take you sightseeing, fix special foods, or be extra polite when you first arrive. Little by little, you and your host family will feel more comfortable around each other and act naturally.
5) Participate in Family Life. Don’t hide in your room. If you are feeling homesick, hiding in your room will only make it worse. Have fun with your host family, and share in evening or weekend activities.
6) Keep an Open Mind. Look at differences as new and fun experiences. This is your chance to try many new things that you might not be able to do in your home country. Take advantage of the opportunity!
7) Be polite and friendly. This is important. You might not talk very much with your family in your home country, but if you shut yourself off from your host family they will assume that you are homesick or unhappy. When you like something, be sure you tell them. A “thank you” and a smile can go a long way!
8) Help with Housework and Chores. Seriously, you would be surprised at how much an offer to do the dishes will mean to your host family.
Remember, your host family will also be nervous, especially if it is their first time hosting. They worry about whether you like the food or their family. If you are open and friendly, you will help to put them at ease. At the end of your stay, you will probably find that you do not want to leave!

Studying abroad in high school offers benefits that extend far beyond the classroom, shaping students academically, personally, and socially.

• Language development. Students develop and improve new language skills through full immersion in a foreign-language environment.
• Cultural immersion. Living abroad means immersing yourself in a new culture and an entirely different way of daily life.
• Independence. Navigating life in a new country builds self-reliance and confidence.
  Broader perspective. Students gain a new outlook on their home country, their destination country, and the world at large, developing a deeper appreciation for diversity.
• Lasting relationships. Living with a host family and attending a local high school creates opportunities to make friends and build international friendships that can last a lifetime.

Bottom line: A High School Abroad program delivers language gains, cultural immersion, personal growth, and lifelong international friendships, benefits that make the experience valuable well beyond the exchange year itself.

Yes. Making friends and building cultural understanding are core goals of every High School Abroad program, and extracurricular activities are one of the best ways to achieve both.

• School-based activities. Many host high schools offer clubs, sports teams, and other extracurricular programs where students can get involved alongside local classmates.
  If your school doesn't offer your specific interest. Not every host school will have a club or program matching your particular hobby, but that's rarely a limitation in practice.
• Community options. Your host town will typically have clubs, community facilities, and sports centers outside of school where you can keep developing your skills and interests.
• Building friendships. Whether through school clubs or community activities, these opportunities create natural, ongoing chances to build lasting friendships with local students.

Bottom line: Between school clubs and community resources in your host town, High School Abroad students have plenty of ways to stay active in their interests and form genuine, lasting friendships with local peers.

Argentina offers a unique blend of Latin American and European culture. Due to currency exchange, the country provides a very affordable cost of living. Students will encounter welcoming and hospitable people, experience a high-quality educational system, and enjoy a significantly safer destination than other Latin American countries. The country also boasts incredibly diverse natural environments.

In Argentina, High School Programs start in March and July, with flexible options including term, semester, full school year, and multiple years.

All placements are in Cordoba Province, specifically in smaller towns within 2 hours of the capital. Students will not be placed in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Argentina High School Program has two main requirements: students must be under 18 years old and have completed at least one year of Spanish language study.

In Argentina, exchange students attend school as regular students. The school year includes 12-14 compulsory subjects, with school hours running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students must take tests and follow school rules, and English is taught as a foreign language.

No. The exchange students of the Argentina High School Program must attend the same subjects that are compulsory for local students.

Typical Argentinian families consist of a mother, a father, and 1-2 children. Both parents typically work from 8 am to 6/7 pm. Families have dinner together and follow eating patterns different from Northern countries, with lunch at 1-2 pm and dinner at 9:30-10 pm. They also enjoy an afternoon snack called "merienda" around 6 pm.

Yes, the abroad High School program in Argentina offers an optional 4-day orientation camp. Exchange students can also attend group trips such as a Patagonia trip in October and a Northern Argentina trip in April. Students can also take optional Spanish language lessons before or after their arrival.

Exchange students should use Cordoba Airport (COR) when arriving in Argentina.

High School students interested in applying for the abroad program in Argentina must apply by the end of November if they intend to arrive in March. For July arrivals, the deadline is the end of April. Check with the provider for exact dates.

Yes, Argentina is considered very safe for foreign students, with a higher cultural and economic standard compared to other Latin American countries.

Argentinian culture is characterized by warm and affectionate people who greet each other with kisses on the cheeks and hugs. The society has strong family bonds with frequent extended family gatherings and a close connection to traditions like mate drinking, football, and barbecues.

Argentina offers complete religious freedom. While Roman Catholicism is the official religion, the country embraces multiple religious practices including Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, and Orthodox faiths. Public education remains secular, with religion not part of the school curriculum.

Exchange students in Argentina can join sports clubs, cultural institutions, theatre groups, and music programs.

Yes! The Argentinian provider offers two annual trips to different country destinations for an extra cost, typically including Patagonia and Northwestern Region trips.

Independent travel within Argentina is restricted for exchange students who are participating in the High School program. Exceptional travel requires a signed parental permission letter, with acknowledgment that Nacel and the provider are not responsible for any incidents.

Language acquisition occurs through host family interactions, the school environment, the local community's willingness to help, optional Spanish courses, and immersive daily experiences.

Exchange students can potentially participate in different experiences including learning to drink mate, participating in family traditions like asados (barbecues), understanding local greeting customs, experiencing tango culture, and joining spontaneous social activities.

There are a few tips that will help your child feel confident and secure abroad. Here are some ideas for him/her:

• Research takes time to research the destination´s culture, geography, and climate. In addition, once you have been assigned a host family, we also suggest communicating with them to get to know them, start building a relationship, and understand their expectations. 
  
• Self-learning: try to learn the usual expressions you may have to use in your daily life, and do thematic wordlists (food, entertainment, clothes…).
• Try to read a book or see a movie in the original version, with subtitles in the language too: this is good training to improve your hearing skills and this will prepare you for your life abroad.
  

What activities can be done? Are there places to visit? If you are doing a Tour, check the different places you will go to! These tips will leave you with many ideas for outside-of-the-classroom activities and help you to plan your trip so you won’t miss a visit!

Packing thoughtfully for a High School Abroad program helps students settle in smoothly and stay prepared for both daily life and travel logistics.

• A gift for the host family. Not mandatory, but a small, modest gift that reflects your home country and culture is a thoughtful way to break the ice.
• Electronics and adapters. If your child is bringing electronic devices, check whether the destination country requires a plug adapter and pack one if so.
• Language tools. A small, two-way language dictionary is considered a must-have, along with a travel guide or map of the host city or area.
• Luggage. Students are responsible for handling their own luggage, so packing light is strongly recommended.
• Essentials to include. Passport and travel documents, school supplies, and a photo album from home are all worth packing. Checking the local weather in advance also helps your child pack appropriate clothing.
• What to keep in hand luggage. Any necessary medication for illness or ongoing treatment, acceptance letters, passport, visa documents, insurance certificate, host family contact details (or details of whoever is picking them up), the program's emergency phone number, electronics like a camera or music player, and any jewelry or glasses.

Bottom line: Smart packing for a High School Abroad program means traveling light, keeping critical documents and essentials in hand luggage, and bringing a few practical extras, like a dictionary and a small host-family gift, that make the transition abroad easier.

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Students participating in a High School Abroad program are expected to follow a clear set of behavioral guidelines throughout their stay, designed to keep them safe and in good standing with their host family and school.

• Daily school attendance. Students must attend school every day for the duration of the program.
• Host family and school rules. Students are expected to follow the rules set by both their host family and their host school at all times.
• Prohibited activities. Students may not drive, smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs at any point during their participation in the exchange program.

Bottom line: High School Abroad participants are held to consistent expectations, daily school attendance, respect for host family and school rules, and no driving, smoking, drinking, or drug use, for the full duration of their exchange.

The student will be helped by our local representative and his/her host family to visit a local doctor and get the necessary medical treatment. If hospitalization, surgery, or repatriation is needed, the insurance should be first informed.

If necessary, our team at the headquarters located in France, which delivers a 24-hour emergency service, 365 days a year, may assist you. The phone number of this service will be given to you before the student’s departure.

Please be sure to have a medical insurance. We can provide you with one, for an additional cost. Ask us for more information about the insurance policy!

Your child’s trip abroad will be a rewarding experience, but he/she has to be ready to change his/her way of life for some time and to adapt to the host family.

Here are some tips to check if your child is ready for this challenge:

• He/She is the one who wants to participate in the study abroad program. Never force your child to go abroad if he/she doesn’t want to! At best, he/she won’t enjoy his/her trip as much as if he/she had decided him/herself. At worst, he/she will be repelled by his/her language studies back home!
• He/She shows interest and curiosity about the language or the country he/she is going to visit.
• He/She is independent enough to be able to cope with problems that may occur (flight delays, loss of luggage, waiting time…), or with homesickness (has he/she already been far away from home? How did he/she cope with that?)
• He/She is mature enough. In some of our programs, supervision is high, and activities are planned all day long. But in others, students are less supervised and must be mature and responsible enough to behave according to the program’s rules and to find occupations.
  

If you are not sure if your child is ready or not, we can advise you! Meet the team of Nacel! 

Homesickness may happen to everyone, even people who have already been abroad without having faced any problems before. To prevent homesickness, keep in touch with your child, but not too much/too often (see below), and follow our preparation tips. If it is your child’s first experience abroad, a short-term experience would probably be the best choice for you to make, so that your child can “test” himself/herself.

The purpose of most of our programs is the immersion in another country’s language and culture. During the first days, it is normal if your child feels a bit homesick, and too frequent communication with his/her natural parents could delay his/her integration into the host country. 

You can suggest she/he get involved in local activities, clubs, and sports to help her/him make friends with similar interests.