This is how it works

There is so much to see, experience and learn on a high school exchange. Instead of being a visitor or a tourist, you become part of a new community: living like a local, learning the language, and gaining international experience that stays with you for life. You’ll discover new strengths, learn more about yourself, and return home as a more confident, independent and globally‑minded young person.

Student exchange is many things: fun, rewarding, challenging and deeply transformative. Future employers value exchange students for their resilience, adaptability and willingness to step outside their comfort zone.

Exchange programs promote maturity, independence and cultural understanding. They challenge you to see the world – and yourself – from a broader, more international perspective.

If you’re dreaming about living and studying abroad, you’re in the right place. But what comes next?
How do you choose the right program, understand visa requirements, or navigate the journey from home to your host country?

We have created a step‑by‑step guide to take you from dream to destination; from planning your exchange to settling into your new home and school. This is your once‑in‑a‑lifetime adventure, and you won’t be doing it alone. Our Program Coordinators and support team are here to guide you through every step of the process and answer all your questions.

Who can go on a high school exchange?

You need to meet a few other requirements to go on a Southern Cross Cultural Exchange program. All our students must:

• Be between 14–17 years of age*
• Still be enrolled in high school at the time of application, studying full time
• An Australian or New Zealand resident
• Australia: Most programs require students to have maintained the equivalent or better than a C grade average for the last two years with no Ds in core subjects (there are some programs that require a higher grade average)
• New Zealand: achieving a National Certificate of Educational Achievement at the appropriate level, or produce a statement from your school about anticipated levels of achievement when the certificate is awarded
• Be in good physical & mental health
• Vaccination requirements vary by country, see next tab
• Be mature, flexible, and motivated – important qualities that will set you up for a successful exchange program!

Have questions about the eligibility criteria for a Southern Cross Cultural Exchange program? Contact us today. Our high school exchange experts are here to help.

*The age limit varies from country to country and program to program. For more information, please review the Quick Facts section at the bottom of each destination page.

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).

Choosing your destination and program

Experience life as a high school student in the USA, ski after school in Canada or develop language skills whilst France. Target a school that offers subjects that will help you prepare for university, or where you can play a favourite sport. Whatever your personal and academic dreams, we will match you with the high school exchange that is right for you.

We offer a wide range of destinations and programs to match different goals, needs and budgets. Read more about the countries where we offer exchange programs and the options available.

Book a call to ask questions or start your application

Ready to take the next step? We can’t wait to learn about your personal and academic goals, and what you are hoping to achieve on your high school exchange. Book a call to start your exchange journey today!

If you decide an exchange feels right for you, we’ll email you a short preliminary application form. Once you return it, your Program Coordinator will send you a link to book a time for your interview.

This next step is relaxed and friendly – it’s simply a chance for your coordinator to get to know you better, understand your goals, and talk through any program needs or requirements you may have. It also helps us start building your personal profile so we can support you throughout your application.

A relaxed, no‑pressure next step

After submitting your preliminary application, you’ll receive an email invitation to book a time with your Program Coordinator. This meeting is an easy, friendly conversation where we learn more about who you are, what you’re looking for, and what matters to you on exchange.

Your coordinator will guide you through your program options, answer your questions, and begin shaping your personal profile as part of your application.

It’s informal, supportive, and all about getting to know you.

If you haven’t already done so, we also encourage you to join one of our Information Session Webinars. They’re a great way to get a clear picture of how exchange works and what to expect before your coordinator meeting.

Save Your Spot

After your interview, we’ll review your preliminary application, your grades, and our conversation with you to make sure a high school exchange is the right fit. We’ll email you to let you know once you’ve been accepted into the program. This email will also include our program rules, terms and conditions, which you’ll need to accept in order to secure your spot. Accepting these rules and terms is simply the final step in confirming your place.

Once your spot is confirmed, we’ll introduce you to your dedicated contact person at Southern Cross Cultural Exchange. They’ll guide and support you and your parents throughout the entire application process and stay with you for the duration of your exchange.

You will always have someone you can turn to.

Complete your program application

Your program application is an important document that will be shared with our team and with staff in the country that will soon become your new home. It’s your chance to introduce yourself: your interests, your personality, and what you’re excited about as a future exchange student.

Take your time and complete it thoroughly and honestly.

If you’re applying for a Classic exchange, your application helps host families understand who you are and whether you’re a good match for their home.
If you’re applying for a Select program, it helps our partner schools review your academic background.

You will receive clear instructions on how to complete and submit your application, and your Program Coordinator will be there to guide you and answer any questions along the way.

Outbound Program Terms & Conditions

Before your exchange begins, it’s important that you and your family understand the guidelines that help keep every student safe, supported, and set up for success. Our Program Terms and Conditions outline how the program works, what you can expect from us, and the responsibilities that help ensure a positive and rewarding experience abroad.

Visa application

Some students will require a visa for their exchange programs. These vary from country to country, the program duration, and which country passport you are travelling on.

Sounds complicated? Don’t worry, we will help you with your visa documents to prepare your application.

Can’t miss: Your Pre Departure Orientation

Preparation is key to a successful high school exchange. To help you feel confident and ready for your once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience, we’ll arrange a mandatory online Pre‑Departure Orientation before you leave.

During this session, you’ll learn what it’s like to live with a host family and attend high school in another country. We’ll talk about navigating cultural differences, staying safe online, and what to expect in your first days and weeks abroad.

The Pre‑Departure Orientation is a required session for all students, and at least one legal guardian must attend. It covers important program rules and offers practical guidance on adapting to a new school, settling into a host family, and managing common experiences like homesickness and cultural adjustment.

Keep an eye on your emails… we will send you the time, date, and registration details for your Orientation.

The placement process

Classic
For the Classic program, once your application has been reviewed and approved by our staff in your host country, the search for your future host family begins. You’ll be placed in a local school close to where your host family lives.

Select
If you’re going on the Select program, your application will first be sent to your chosen school for review and approval. As soon as you’re accepted, we’ll begin looking for a caring host family near your selected school. Your Program Coordinator will contact you as soon as we’ve found the right host family for you.

Let your exchange program begin

This is it! You’re ready for an experience that will shape your future in all the best ways.

Your exchange adventure is about to begin, and the world is waiting. Time to pack your bags and get excited for what’s ahead. We will also send you countdown emails in the lead‑up to your departure to help you prepare and feel confident every step of the way.

It’s time to discover you.

Welcome Camp

Your high school exchange will be off to a great start in our Welcome Camp, which may be included in your program price or available as an option for an added fee for some Academic Semester & Year programs.

This popular camp will introduce you to your host country and to other newly arrived exchange students from different parts of the world. You will learn more about the local culture as well as the situations you are likely to encounter as a new exchange student. You will go sightseeing with our staff. By the end of the Welcome Camp, you will be ready to meet your host family and your soon-to-be new friends in school.

Camps in New York, Paris, London, and more

Which Welcome Camp will you attend? Read more about the different camps at each destination. These apply to long programs only – Semester & Academic Year programs on some departures. Please check with your Program Manager for details.

North America

USA – New York
Canada – Toronto

Europe

Denmark – Stockholm
France – Paris
Germany – Berlin
Great Britain – London
Ireland – Dublin
Italy – Rome
Norway – Oslo or Stockholm
Spain – Barcelona
Sweden – Stockholm
The Netherlands – Berlin
Finland – Stockholm

Oceania

New Zealand – Auckland
Australia – Sydney

Support throughout your exchange program

You’ll have guidance and support whenever you need it – both at home and in your host country. Alongside your SCCE Program Coordinator and your parents, you will also have a dedicated contact person (Local COordinator) in your host country who will support you throughout your exchange. They will help introduce you to your school and may organise activities or meet‑ups with other exchange students in your area.

If you ever have questions or need help with something local, your Local Coordinator in your host country will always be just a phone call away. They’ll check in with you at least once a month to see how you’re settling in and to offer support whenever you need it.

You will also receive monthly postcards from your Program Coordinator back home… a simple way to stay connected, share how things are going, and reach out if you need extra support or just want to celebrate the positive moments.

And for anything urgent, our office in Australia is available 24/7.
No matter what time it is, you will always have someone ready to help.

Become an ambassador

Your exchange doesn’t end when you land back home – in many ways, it’s just the beginning. You’ve lived it, you’ve learned from it, and now you’re in the perfect position to help the next generation of exchange students get ready for their own adventure.

• As an Ambassador, you can:
• Support future students by sharing what you wish you knew before you left
• Help with orientations… your real‑life insights make all the difference
• Offer 1:1 encouragement to students who are nervous, excited, or unsure
• Create content that shows the reality of exchange: the highs, the challenges, the funny moments, the growth
• Stay connected to a global community that understands exactly what you’ve experienced

Your voice matters. Your story matters. And your experience can genuinely change someone else’s journey for the better.