Student Exchange Programs in The Netherlands

Discover The Netherlands as an exchange student

A student exchange program to The Netherlands is filled with a fanfare of delights, festivals and new friendships

Discover The Netherlands as an exchange student. Learn a new language, gain insight into a different culture and meet a loving family during an exciting exchange program in this country.

A student exchange program to The Netherlands is filled with a fanfare of delights, festivals and new friendships. The Netherlands is a wonderful destination for an exchange student to explore, given it is a small and friendly country easily crossed by car in only a couple of hours. The unique geography of The Netherlands has shaped the country’s history and character of the people.

A Southern Cross Cultural Exchange student in The Netherlands will arrive to their own complimentary bicycle, a wonderful arrival orientation, a culture of families who are excited to welcome an exchange student into their home. The Arrival Orientation is a mandatory requirement of our partner organisation and is included in the program fee.

Welcome to The Netherlands!

Quick facts

Age of students: 15–17 years

Departure: January/February or July/August

Language requirements: None, but some knowledge of Dutch is preferred so an online course is provided.

Visa: Yes

Area choice: No

Soft Landing Camp: Yes, in Amsterdam

School day: Normally from 8.00 to 15.00

Subjects: There are both compulsory subjects and electives (subject to program length)

Program: Classic High School

Views from The Netherlands

Views from The Netherlands

Our high school programs

In The Netherlands, we offer our exchange program Classic High School.

The experience of a lifetime

Being an exchange student is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will shape your future. Please enquire now or download our high school guide to plan your program in The Netherlands.  

High school

As an exchange student in The Netherlands, you will experience a school system where student’s learn from a young age to work independently and take responsibility of their own studies. Teachers encourage students to have an opinion and discuss these with respect to others. It can be a challenge at first for exchange students as they require independence and self-discipline. However, teaching staff are always available to help when needed.

Enquire now

Subjects and school activities

Students are generally placed in Grade 4 or 5, which is comparable to our Year 10 or 11 – this depends on the students age and grade, and the decision is made by the accepting high school. Students may have the option of elective subjects – more likely only on the Academic Semester or Year programs. Mandatory subjects include Dutch, English, Gymnastics, Social Studies and Cultural Arts. If there is an option to choose, then students may have options in economics, languages, geography, history, art, philosophy, sciences and math-based subjects.

If you want to engage in a sport and activity, your host family or Local Coordinator will help you get contact a nearby club. This is a wonderful way to meet new friends and develop your language and communication skills.

Enquire now

Online Language Course

When students apply for a Southern Cross Cultural Exchange program in The Netherlands, they will be provided with a mandatory online Dutch language training course. This helps students enhance their language skills prior to departure. The online program take about 20 hours of study and is followed by a test. Once in the Netherlands, there will be intensive language training during the Soft Landing Camp. The Dutch classes in the Soft Landing Camp compliment the online program.

Enquire now

Your spare time in The Netherlands

There is much to discover during your high school exchange in The Netherlands. What you do in your spare time depends on your personal interest as well as your host family’s location. Local Coordinators organise student events and family days from time to time. Trips are arranged throughout the year, giving you the opportunity to explore the best of the country. These trips are subject to availability and at an additional cost.

Enquire now

Staying with a Dutch host family

Our host families are all carefully selected and are looking forward to welcoming you to their home. The families come in all shapes and sizes, but the typical Dutch family has of a mother, father and 2–3 children.

Most host families are open minded and raise their children to be independent and responsible, and they will also expect this from their exchange student. Some families live in villages, others in small, medium, or larger cities. Host families are excited about welcoming you into their home as well as learning more about your culture. The Netherlands is known for its open and friendly culture, and the Dutch are actively involved with their family and friends.

About our host families

Academic Semester & Academic Year programs require a a Stay Permit, as this is for longer than 90 days in The Netherlands. Our partner organisation will apply for this permit after the SCCE Program fees invoice has been paid – the indicative cost is approximately EUR350, but this will be confirmed at the time as fees can vary. Students collect their Staying permit in their local community with assistance from their host family.

High school

As an exchange student in The Netherlands, you will experience a school system where student’s learn from a young age to work independently and take responsibility of their own studies. Teachers encourage students to have an opinion and discuss these with respect to others. It can be a challenge at first for exchange students as they require independence and self-discipline. However, teaching staff are always available to help when needed.

Enquire now
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Subjects and school activities

Students are generally placed in Grade 4 or 5, which is comparable to our Year 10 or 11 – this depends on the students age and grade, and the decision is made by the accepting high school. Students may have the option of elective subjects – more likely only on the Academic Semester or Year programs. Mandatory subjects include Dutch, English, Gymnastics, Social Studies and Cultural Arts. If there is an option to choose, then students may have options in economics, languages, geography, history, art, philosophy, sciences and math-based subjects.

If you want to engage in a sport and activity, your host family or Local Coordinator will help you get contact a nearby club. This is a wonderful way to meet new friends and develop your language and communication skills.

Enquire now
banner-img

Online Language Course

When students apply for a Southern Cross Cultural Exchange program in The Netherlands, they will be provided with a mandatory online Dutch language training course. This helps students enhance their language skills prior to departure. The online program take about 20 hours of study and is followed by a test. Once in the Netherlands, there will be intensive language training during the Soft Landing Camp. The Dutch classes in the Soft Landing Camp compliment the online program.

Enquire now
banner-img

Your spare time in The Netherlands

There is much to discover during your high school exchange in The Netherlands. What you do in your spare time depends on your personal interest as well as your host family’s location. Local Coordinators organise student events and family days from time to time. Trips are arranged throughout the year, giving you the opportunity to explore the best of the country. These trips are subject to availability and at an additional cost.

Enquire now
banner-img

Staying with a Dutch host family

Our host families are all carefully selected and are looking forward to welcoming you to their home. The families come in all shapes and sizes, but the typical Dutch family has of a mother, father and 2–3 children.

Most host families are open minded and raise their children to be independent and responsible, and they will also expect this from their exchange student. Some families live in villages, others in small, medium, or larger cities. Host families are excited about welcoming you into their home as well as learning more about your culture. The Netherlands is known for its open and friendly culture, and the Dutch are actively involved with their family and friends.

About our host families
banner-img

Academic Semester & Academic Year programs require a a Stay Permit, as this is for longer than 90 days in The Netherlands. Our partner organisation will apply for this permit after the SCCE Program fees invoice has been paid – the indicative cost is approximately EUR350, but this will be confirmed at the time as fees can vary. Students collect their Staying permit in their local community with assistance from their host family.

banner-img

Soft Landing Camp in Amsterdam

Your first introduction to this beautiful country will be at our Soft Landing Camp in the city of Amsterdam. Our Soft Landing Camp is the perfect start to your exchange program. At the camp, we study Dutch, have workshops about the life in The Netherlands, and explore the city.  This is a mandatory component of the program, and is included in your program fee.   

Girl with a view

Study at a high school in The Netherlands

Our Classic High School program is a traditional exchange program where you live with a Dutch host family and immerse into the local high school.

Read more

Hear from our former exchange students in The Netherlands

Sally

”I’ll treasure this year and take it with me for the rest of my life. I’m truly grateful for the incredible experience.”

– Sally in The Netherlands

Enquire now

The best way to prepare for your exchange program is to join an Information Session Webinar.
Please click here to register and then complete your details below and we will be in touch to answer your questions.

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