For Parents
Invest in your child’s future
At Southern Cross Cultural Exchange, it is a given that not only our exchange students should enjoy their exchange abroad, but also our parents. Our Safety & Wellbeing Policy ensures that each student will be cared for and keeping them safe is always our highest priority.
A high school exchange abroad is an investment in your child’s future. The benefits will stay with them for life: greater confidence, independence, communication skills, the ability to adapt, tackling another language and a global perspective that comes from knowing other cultures. All these advantages will help them achieve personal, academic and career success.
We are delighted that so many parents from different parts of the world trust us to provide their children with the life-changing experience of a high school exchange. It’s what we do best because it’s all we do. We can’t wait to take your child – and you – on this exciting journey.
Focused expertise
We focus on two things: high school exchanges and our students. We have a thorough knowledge of school systems in foreign countries, and we will take the time to understand your child’s needs.
Safety & wellbeing
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange has sent more exchange students than any other organisation since 1983. Your safety and wellbeing is our priority.
Guides with exchange experience
Many of our team members were exchange students, are parents of kids who studied abroad, or have hosted exchange students. We know your family’s journey and we are here to guide you.
Why high school abroad with Southern Cross Cultural Exchange?
We at Southern Cross Cultural Exchange have arranged exchange programs for curious teenagers since 1983 and can’t think of a better job. Nothing makes us more proud than seeing our students coming back more independent, confident and mature people just after a few months abroad.
With new language skills, international friends, and an inner strength will provide a significant advantage in both future work and study life. They will learn to take responsibility, handle unfamiliar situations, and adapt to a new and different culture.
Check out our students’ blogs to read and hear about the exchange experience from our current exchange students abroad.
A safe way to explore the world
To study abroad as a high school exchange student, Southern Cross Cultural Exchange provides a safe way for a teenager to explore a new culture. Your child will stay with one of our carefully selected host families, who will look after your child like their own.
The family have been thoroughly checked through interviews, home visits, and references before being approved to host your child. Read more about our host families and how they are selected.
Enquire now
24/7 support
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange offers 24/7 support and can be reached by you and your child at any time. You will have a Program Manager who will support and guide you through every step of the process.
Upon arrival, your child will meet a Local Coordinator near the host family home as additional support. The local contact person often arranges get-togethers with other exchange students in the area, and also supports the host family.
Enquire now
Reports – every month!
Our staff in your child’s host country will send monthly reports to us here in Australia. Students also submit update postcards that are easily accessible submitted through an online portal.
These reports include updates about your child’s well-being and overall status. We can give you a overview of their school and host family life, spare time, and more. This for you and your child to feel secure, seen, and listened to during the whole exchange.
Enquire now
Zero-tolerance for alcohol
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drug use.
Some parents feel that it is safer waiting until after high school with letting their kids’ study or travel abroad. In comparison to studies at a higher level, an exchange with Southern Cross Cultural Exchange is based within a family environment, where the host family takes on parental responsibilities.
Your child will learn to be independent as they are enrolled in our program, they are considered children by us as an organisation as well as the host family, even if they have turned 18.
Their safety and well-being is our priority. Therefore, it is essential that we have a zero-tolerance policy regarding usage of drugs and alcohol.
Enquire now
USA:
Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Your host school in the USA will require additional immunisations for you to be considered up to date with their national immunisation program such as Meningococcal ACWY, TB test within 6 months prior arriving in the USA, etc. Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory).
Canada:
Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Your host country will require you to be fully vaccinated for Meningococcal (MenACWY). Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory).
Other countries:
Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory).
A safe way to explore the world
To study abroad as a high school exchange student, Southern Cross Cultural Exchange provides a safe way for a teenager to explore a new culture. Your child will stay with one of our carefully selected host families, who will look after your child like their own.
The family have been thoroughly checked through interviews, home visits, and references before being approved to host your child. Read more about our host families and how they are selected.
24/7 support
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange offers 24/7 support and can be reached by you and your child at any time. You will have a Program Manager who will support and guide you through every step of the process.
Upon arrival, your child will meet a Local Coordinator near the host family home as additional support. The local contact person often arranges get-togethers with other exchange students in the area, and also supports the host family.
Reports – every month!
Our staff in your child’s host country will send monthly reports to us here in Australia. Students also submit update postcards that are easily accessible submitted through an online portal.
These reports include updates about your child’s well-being and overall status. We can give you a overview of their school and host family life, spare time, and more. This for you and your child to feel secure, seen, and listened to during the whole exchange.
Zero-tolerance for alcohol
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drug use.
Some parents feel that it is safer waiting until after high school with letting their kids’ study or travel abroad. In comparison to studies at a higher level, an exchange with Southern Cross Cultural Exchange is based within a family environment, where the host family takes on parental responsibilities.
Your child will learn to be independent as they are enrolled in our program, they are considered children by us as an organisation as well as the host family, even if they have turned 18.
Their safety and well-being is our priority. Therefore, it is essential that we have a zero-tolerance policy regarding usage of drugs and alcohol.
USA:
Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Your host school in the USA will require additional immunisations for you to be considered up to date with their national immunisation program such as Meningococcal ACWY, TB test within 6 months prior arriving in the USA, etc. Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory).
Canada:
Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Your host country will require you to be fully vaccinated for Meningococcal (MenACWY). Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory).
Other countries:
Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory).
Why Southern Cross Cultural Exchange?
- Procedures – Southern Cross Cultural Exchange is proud to be a recipient of International Standard ISO9001 certification, which means we operate using a quality management system essential for identifying and managing the expectations of our students and their families. Through annual audits, we maintain and continually improve a Quality Management System that complies with the requirements of the International Standard ISO 9001.
- The Best Preparation – we arrange a Departure Orientation online prior to departure for both you and your child to attend.
In this session, you will be informed and prepared for the exchange. You will also meet our committed staff and student ambassadors who have previously been on an exchange with us. - Experience – we have extended experience within high school exchange programs and long-standing and relationships with our sister companies and partners abroad.
Classic Programs
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Select programs
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Become a host family
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