We have collected the most commonly asked questions below. Do not hesitate to call or e-mail your EF office if you have any other questions, we will be happy to assist you.
Each destination country has different deadlines, but in general you can apply between 15 to 5 months prior to departure. Please note that EF High School Year only accepts a limited number of students every year. Many of our destinations get fully booked prior to our application deadline, we therefore recommend you to apply as early as possible. Do not hesitate to contact us, even if you are late. Sometimes we get late cancellations and we might be able to accept late applications.
You can apply today on our website! [add link to online PreApp form] Your initial application is not binding. It is a first step that allows you to learn more about EF High School Year and see if it is the right program for you. When you have applied to our program we will invite you and your parents to a non-binding interview. [Add link to Application process-page]. After the interview, you will fill out a complete application that we will use to match you with a host family.
It is your school at home that decides if you can earn credit for your exchange year. Talk to your school councilor or principal and ask them what rules they have and what you have to do in order to earn credit for the subjects you have studied. [Countries like NO, ES, IT, pls add information about local convalidation rules here]
The ability to speak and understand basic English is necessary in all our destinations. [countries where SLEP test is mandatory – please add information here].
English-speaking destinations – Ability to speak, understand, read and write basic English. Minimum SLEP score of 40. [countries where SLEP test is mandatory – please add information here].
Bilingual program in Canada – Same requirements as for other English-speaking destinations. Minimum one semester of French to enter a French-speaking high school.
Costa Rica – Minimum one year of Spanish is recommended
France and French-speaking Canada - Minimum two years of French
Germany – Minimum one year of German or at least 60 lessons of German
Hong Kong – Same requirements for English-speaking destinations. Prior knowledge of Cantonese or Mandarin is an advantage
Japan – One year of Japanese is recommended. Students must be highly motivated to learn Japanese.
Yes, you will need a visa for most of our host countries. Your EF-office will assist you to obtain the visa. Please note that visa costs are not included in the program fee.
Yes, if EF has a local representative nearby and we can secure a school slot in the family’s region, it is possible for you to stay with this family during your exchange year. EF needs to be notified about this potential host family before your application is sent to your host country. Please note that even if you know this family well, they have to go through the same screening process as all our host families. In the USA, the family cannot be a relative of yours, due to visa regulations.
EF High School Year is an academic program, and while most of our exchange students participate in sports at their high school or outside school, this is nothing we can guarantee.
In some host countries this is possible, though it can never be guaranteed.
EF offers regional choices in host countries like the USA, Great Britain, New Zealand, France and Germany. It is important to apply early if you are interested in making a regional choice. Please note that regional choice is not a guarantee. If EF cannot find a suitable host family in your chosen region, we will look for a family outside this region and we will refund the regional choice fee to you. [link to Program options – region choice]
In New Zealand EF offers a school choice program, where you can choose your city and high school.
EF International Academy comprises private international high schools offering different high school programs. Example of campus locations are New York in USA and Torquay and Oxford in England.
If you apply early to the program, you might be able to make the same regional choice as your friend, but we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in the same town or high school. Remember, one purpose of a student exchange is to broaden your horizons: to meet new friends and experience new things. Successful exchange students are willing and eager to be independent.
As soon as you have submitted your complete application to EF, we will begin searching for a great host family for you. Usually our students get information about their placement between 2 months to 3 weeks prior to departure.
Experience tells us that despite thorough preparation for both the student and host family, communication difficulties may arise. In some cases, cultural differences can be challenging before the family and student become familiar with each other. If that happens, the local EF representative’s role is to support both parties in finding a solution so that the relationship between student and family can continue. If conditions in the host family change so they are not able to continue hosting you, or if there is a major problem that cannot be worked out, EF will work on finding you a new host family. Finding a new host family usually takes from 3 to 8 weeks. Our first attempt is always to find a new family within the same school district.
Every year EF High School Year awards scholarships to a number of students. The choice of scholars is based on the student application as well as grades, financial need and recommendation.
Contact your local EF office [X[e1] ] for more information on available scholarships and how to apply.
DK: Add info re Cirus
NO: Add info re Lanekassan
DE: Add info re Langenscheidt Vollstipendiums, EF Teilstipendiums and other cooporations.
Other markets: add local scholarship info and link to national websites where students can search for information and apply for scholarships.
EF High School Year in [country] has an agreement with [name of bank or financial institution] to grant loans for studies abroad. Contact your local EF office [X[e2] ] for more details about how to apply.
We recommend that you calculate approximate USD 250-300 or [ XX Currency[e3] for personal expenses per month. The below is not included in the program fee for the program:
The Discovery Tours arranged by EF in your host country usually take place during school vacations. The EF office in your host country will send you information about tours to your host family’s, address and you will be able to sign up for the tours during your EF exchange year. [link to general Disc Tour page]
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[e2]add sales market
[e3]Localize per sales market