School to School Exchange
An ideal project for English classes, this program will allow your students to discover the English language and American culture the best way possible, through first-hand experience. Living with American host families while attending school will immerse your students in the American lifestyle, leaving them with a deepened understanding of the language and culture that is impossible to learn from textbooks. While clearly an excellent learning experience for students of English, your entire student body can benefit from the exchange. Creative teachers and administrators will find that the program provides limitless opportunities to incorporate cultural exchange into courses throughout the curriculum.
Program Description
Foundation for the Future, working in association with Center for Cultural Interchange in Chicago, IL, matches Spanish schools with American schools for an educational partnership designed to foster international friendships and bring classroom curricula to life. Once matched, your school will send a group of students to the United States during the autumn months, where they will live with American families for a 2 to 3 week academic exchange. Your students will attend classes and participate in scheduled cultural activities while living with American families. In return, the American school will send a group of students to your school the following spring, where they will live with Spanish families and enjoy a similar program of enriching academic and cultural experiences.
Program Mission
An ideal project for English classes, this program will allow your students to discover the English language and American culture the best way possible, through first-hand experience. Living with American host families while attending school will immerse your students in the American lifestyle, leaving them with a deepened understanding of the language and culture that is impossible to learn from textbooks. While clearly an excellent learning experience for students of English, your entire student body can benefit from the exchange. Creative teachers and administrators will find that the program provides limitless opportunities to incorporate cultural exchange into courses throughout the curriculum.
Full Program Support
Once your school has agreed to a partnership, we will put you in direct contact with your colleagues in the United States to begin organizing your first exchange. Our staff will be available to provide guidance throughout the process. When your group travels, the Foundation will help with travel arrangements, insurance and logistics. While you are in the U.S. you’ll have access to the Foundation staff 24 hours a day in case you need assistance.
Program Components (Provided by the Foundation)
- International round trip air fare
- Support from the Foundation
- Full accident and medical insurance
Program Components (Provided by your Partner School)
- Welcome orientation
- Room and board with a volunteer host family
- Participation in regular school classes
- Two cultural activities per week
- Two full-day excursions during the program
- 24 hour contact for emergencies
- Round trip airport transfers to the nearest airport
Dates and Duration
A typical program lasts approximately 3 weeks. Usually the Spanish students go to the U.S. in the fall and the Americans travel to Spain in the spring. Dates are flexible, and can be negotiated between the cooperating schools.
Number of Students
Most groups consist of 10–20 students escorted by one teacher. Groups may be larger or smaller depending on the needs and resources of the partner schools.
Costs
There is no fee in order to participate as a receiving school. Because this is a reciprocal exchange program, schools can travel for a very low cost compared with other programs: 1.525 Euros per student includes airfare, medical/accident insurance and Foundation support. One teacher travels free with a group of 12 or more students.
