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HIGH SCHOOL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM (J1 VISA PROGRAM)

The Public High School Cultural Exchange Program offers international students an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in American culture, enhance their English proficiency, and forge lasting global connections. This transformative experience goes beyond academics—it's about personal growth, cultural discovery, and building a future enriched by international understanding. Participants in the J1 Visa Program gain access to top-tier educational institutions, participate in extracurricular activities, and live with host families to fully experience the American way of life. Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons, improve your language skills, or prepare for future academic and career opportunities, the High School Cultural Exchange Program provides a unique and life-changing experience.

Why Choose EDEX?

Trusted Industry Leader: EDEX has been successfully operating since 1999, placing thousands of students over the years in high schools across all 50 states.

Worldwide Network: EDEX’s extensive network includes partners in over 10 countries and a dedicated team of managers who provide personalized, hands-on support to each student.

Academic Excellence & Cultural Immersion

World-Class Educational Experience: Students have the opportunity to attend a U.S. public high school, gaining firsthand insight into American education, values, and everyday life.

Diverse Academic Offerings: Students can explore a wide range of electives—enriching their academic journey with subjects unavailable in their home country, such as advanced sciences, arts, and technology.

Global Perspective: The program fosters cultural exchange, enabling students to share their unique heritage while learning about American society and customs.

Live with a Warm, Welcoming Host Family

Authentic American Family Experience: Students are placed with a carefully selected host family, offering an insider's view of American culture, traditions, and family life.

Support & Care: Host families provide accommodation, meals, and emotional support to ensure students feel welcomed and integrated into their new community.

Diverse Family Backgrounds: Host families come from various backgrounds—some with children, others as empty-nesters—each offering a unique perspective.

Flexible Program Options Tailored to Your Needs

Full Year or Semester Program: Choose between a full academic year or a semester-long program, providing flexibility to tailor your experience.

Customizable Placement: For specific location preferences, we offer options to align the exchange with personal goals.

Mutual Understanding

As an exchange student, immersing oneself in American culture offers a unique opportunity to not only share the richness of one's own traditions but also to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse customs that shape American life. Through personal interactions, school experiences, and cultural events, an exchange student can develop a broader perspective on values like independence, community, and diversity. This exchange fosters empathy, encourages open-mindedness, and strengthens global connections, enriching both the student's worldview and the cultural fabric of their host community.

Personal Growth & Independence

From the perspective of an exchange student, navigating a new environment presents an incredible opportunity to build resilience and adaptability. As an exchange student, you're stepping into a world that is unfamiliar in terms of culture, language, social norms, and sometimes even daily routines. Each challenge faced in this new environment provides an opportunity to grow stronger, more flexible, and better equipped to handle the uncertainties life presents.

As an exchange student, living away from home presents a unique opportunity to develop independence and self-reliance in ways that are hard to replicate in familiar surroundings. Being far from home means you're responsible for managing many aspects of your daily life—from your studies to your personal well-being. While this can be intimidating at first, it's also a chance to gain confidence in your ability to navigate the world on your own.

Lasting Connections

As an exchange student, the opportunity to form lasting connections with peers from around the world is invaluable. By sharing experiences, learning together, and navigating new environments, lifelong friendships are forged that transcend borders and time zones. These global connections create a network of support, understanding, and shared memories, offering a deeper sense of belonging and a rich exchange of ideas that can last well beyond the program. These relationships help to cultivate a sense of global citizenship, opening doors to future opportunities and enriching one's life with diverse perspectives.

Explore Extracurricular Activities

As an exchange student, participating in sports, arts, and music allows for the discovery of new talents and interests while enhancing personal growth. Whether joining a local soccer team, taking part in school theater, or exploring new musical genres, these extracurricular activities provide an exciting way to connect with peers, embrace creativity, and challenge oneself. Engaging in these experiences helps broaden horizons by fostering a sense of teamwork, discipline, and self-expression, while also allowing the student to immerse themselves in different aspects of the host culture, creating memories and skills that will last a lifetime.

As an exchange student, participating in group activities, whether in sports or collaborative projects, is a great way to develop essential teamwork and leadership skills. Working with others from different backgrounds fosters communication, problem-solving, and mutual respect, while also encouraging adaptability and patience. Through these experiences, the student learns how to motivate others, handle challenges together, and contribute to a common goal, all of which are valuable skills both in and out of school. These team dynamics not only build lasting friendships but also help shape the student into a more confident and effective leader.

A Foundation for the Future

As an exchange student, gaining international experience can significantly enhance college applications, particularly when applying to foreign universities. Graduating from a high school in the host country often makes the transition to university much smoother, as it demonstrates familiarity with the local education system and culture. Many universities prioritize students who have studied domestically, offering easier enrollment processes, more personalized attention, and even potential scholarship opportunities. This experience not only boosts academic credentials but also shows the student's adaptability, global perspective, and readiness to succeed in diverse environments.

As an exchange student in the U.S., the exposure to advanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities in high schools provides countless opportunities for career exploration and development. Many American high schools offer specialized programs in fields like technology, business, the arts, and engineering, giving students hands-on experience and the chance to explore different career paths. This access to diverse resources, such as career counseling, internships, and workshops, helps students discover their interests early on and develop skills that are highly valued in the global job market. Such experiences not only strengthen resumes but also provide a competitive edge when entering the workforce.

Student Eligibility & Requirements

Academic Qualifications

To succeed as an exchange student, a strong academic discipline and the ability to overcome academic challenges are essential. Students must be proactive in managing their studies, staying organized, and adapting to different teaching styles and expectations. The ability to persevere through difficulties, whether in mastering a new subject or adjusting to a more rigorous curriculum, is crucial. This resilience not only helps students excel academically but also builds the confidence and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in a foreign educational environment.

Age and Maturity

For an exchange student, behavioral discipline and the ability to navigate day-to-day challenges are key to a successful experience. Students must demonstrate respect for local customs, adapt to diverse family dynamics, and manage personal behavior in a new cultural setting. Being open-minded, patient, and proactive in solving problems—whether adjusting to high school life, building relationships with host families, or understanding cultural differences—ensures smooth transitions. This adaptability helps students thrive both in their academic and social lives, fostering a deeper appreciation of their new environment while maintaining personal growth.

English Proficiency

To succeed as an exchange student, a minimum ELTiS score of 4 (670 points) is required, indicating a solid foundation in English. Additionally, students must be able to demonstrate conversational English skills at least at an intermediate level. This ensures they can effectively communicate in day-to-day situations, participate in class discussions, and build relationships with peers and host families. A strong command of English enables students to fully engage in both academic and social activities, making the overall exchange experience more enriching and rewarding.