About Us
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange
Based in Mona Vale, Sydney, Southern Cross Cultural Exchange has been supporting Australian students on high school exchange programs abroad since 1983 (& New Zealand since 2018).
High school Student Exchange Programs
Our Mission
Founded in 1983, Southern Cross Cultural Exchange (SCCE) is Australia’s first not-for-profit student exchange organisation. For over 40 years, we have been dedicated to providing high school students with life-changing international experiences. Our programs range from 6-week cultural exchanges to 2–3-month programs, as well as Academic Semester and Year exchanges in destinations such as France, Germany, Denmark, Argentina, Italy, Japan, and more. Through immersive experiences, we foster personal growth, global understanding, and lifelong connections. Our expert team strives to support the student’s journey, making international exchange both enriching and rewarding.
We believe in building a better cultural understanding between nations and people. By offering safe and exciting ways for young people to fulfil their dreams of discovering a new culture through learning, we help create better global citizens, while contributing to improved quality of life for those less fortunate. Southern Cross Cultural Exchange takes pride in designing programs ranging in duration from six weeks up to an Academic Year, which reflect the values and ideals of Australian students, families, and schools.
With four decades of Australian-based experience, SCCE staff have a unique ability to respond to the changing needs of Australian education systems through the innovation, diversification and adaptation of our programs and procedures. Our vast experience in providing high quality exchange programs is reflected in its approval and registration with Australian state and federal education departments, and its acceptance by immigration and education authorities around the world. Recruiting professionals qualified and experienced in the fields of education, counselling, travel and administration, many of Southern Cross Cultural Exchange’s staff members are former exchange students whose unique experiences and knowledge, as well as enthusiasm for intercultural exchange programs, directly benefits today’s participants.
The best preparation
We offer Departure Orientation meetings, Soft Landing Camps & Arrival Orientations – these vary per program and destination. These are usually an additional cost so we can keep our program fees competitive.
Personal contact
Your safety and welfare is our priority. Advice is from relevant authorities & DFAT, along with partner organisations. Each student has support provided by their host family & Local Coordinator, along with emergency support 24/7.
Strong relationships
We have built strong relationships with wonderful schools and welcoming host families in our destination countries.
high school portfolio
We offer a wide variety of destinations and programs. You can choose to play your favorite sport, study close to the ski fields and/or add any other dreams you might have for your exchange program.
Planning your High School Exchange Program?
We understand it’s a big decision and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting to explore or getting ready to apply, our team can guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have, big or small.
Book your free 15 or 30 minute call today!
High school exchange & you
Mastering a subject or skill requires focus. That’s why we focus on exchange programs for secondary students. This allows us to continually expand our knowledge and network of foreign schools and host families. It’s also made it possible for us to build a broad range of programs based on your needs, including our Classic & Select exchange programs.
A leader in Student Exchange programs
We have built long-standing relationships with partner agents and thousands of high schools and host families in countries across the globe. Whether you’re looking to study abroad for a Short Program, Semester or an Academic School Year, we give you access to a broad selection of high school exchange programs.
Supported by a global team of experts
Every student has a dream for their high school exchange program. They all share a common goal: to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our team of exchange specialists will work with you to identify the right program for you. From planning to completion, we will support and guide you in both your home and host countries.
Start your adventure
Classic Programs
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Select Programs
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Our destinations
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Host a student
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How we changed exchange programs
When you go on a high school exchange, you are following in the footsteps of thousands of exchange students over seventy years. The first high school exchange programs were organised in the 1950s and over the years, more students and schools have participated in international education. Whilst the range of program options expanded, the way high school exchanges were arranged remained largely the same. Until we changed it.
We create high school exchanges based on students’ goals, preferences and abilities. We take time to understand what our students need before, during and after their exchange. Then we make every effort to match these needs. It’s a simple idea and it works – for our students, their home and host families, and their schools.
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange (SCCE) is a not-for-profit organisation specialising in international educational exchange programs for secondary school students. As the first student exchange organisation to be based in Australia, SCCE was founded with the belief that the international family-living experience makes a vital contribution to human understanding, tolerance of cultural differences and self-awareness – an irreplaceable opportunity to learn about others and yourself.
SCCE facilitates exchange programs to countries all over the world for both Australian and New Zealand high school students, and also organises host families and educational experiences for International students to visit here.
Our programs give our worldwide members – students, their parents, host families and volunteers – a chance to gain an education without national boundaries. The result is friendship, empathy and personal growth.
Enquire now
Ready for your exchange? You will be
Preparation is the best path to a successful high school exchange. We prepare you from the start, with step-by-step guidance during and after the application process, through to departure and arrival. Once you arrive in your host destination, you will attend a local Arrival Orientation.
Accurate and up-to-date information
To help our students and their families prepare as thoroughly as possible, we share important details at our pre-departure information. The first step to prepare is to join our online Information Session Webinars – held throughout the year.
Exceptionally personal
From the time you register, you and your parents will be connected to a member of our team who will become your point of contact. Your personal contact will work with you through each stage of the application, preparation and exchange program.
You will also be assigned a Local Coordinator close to home in your host country, as well as 24/7 access to emergency phone support.
Enquire now
Real stories from real students
You might be thinking: Great, I’ve got all this information. But what is an exchange program really like?
We think the best people to answer that question are the students who have experienced a Southern Cross Cultural Exchange program. You’ve seen and heard from some of them already, in the photos and stories they’ve allowed us to share on our website, brochures, blogs and social media channels. We invite you to read more of their stories.
The good, the challenging and the magical moments
These experiences from real students provide an insight into what an exchange program abroad is really like. Not just the enriched learning and fun stuff but also the culture shock and homesickness. You’ll learn about the turning points, such as when the local language suddenly made sense. Or when their host family started to feel like real family and curious classmates became their best friends. We can’t wait to hear your high school exchange story!
Student storiesHow we changed exchange programs
When you go on a high school exchange, you are following in the footsteps of thousands of exchange students over seventy years. The first high school exchange programs were organised in the 1950s and over the years, more students and schools have participated in international education. Whilst the range of program options expanded, the way high school exchanges were arranged remained largely the same. Until we changed it.
We create high school exchanges based on students’ goals, preferences and abilities. We take time to understand what our students need before, during and after their exchange. Then we make every effort to match these needs. It’s a simple idea and it works – for our students, their home and host families, and their schools.
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange (SCCE) is a not-for-profit organisation specialising in international educational exchange programs for secondary school students. As the first student exchange organisation to be based in Australia, SCCE was founded with the belief that the international family-living experience makes a vital contribution to human understanding, tolerance of cultural differences and self-awareness – an irreplaceable opportunity to learn about others and yourself.
SCCE facilitates exchange programs to countries all over the world for both Australian and New Zealand high school students, and also organises host families and educational experiences for International students to visit here.
Our programs give our worldwide members – students, their parents, host families and volunteers – a chance to gain an education without national boundaries. The result is friendship, empathy and personal growth.
Ready for your exchange? You will be
Preparation is the best path to a successful high school exchange. We prepare you from the start, with step-by-step guidance during and after the application process, through to departure and arrival. Once you arrive in your host destination, you will attend a local Arrival Orientation.
Accurate and up-to-date information
To help our students and their families prepare as thoroughly as possible, we share important details at our pre-departure information. The first step to prepare is to join our online Information Session Webinars – held throughout the year.
Exceptionally personal
From the time you register, you and your parents will be connected to a member of our team who will become your point of contact. Your personal contact will work with you through each stage of the application, preparation and exchange program.
You will also be assigned a Local Coordinator close to home in your host country, as well as 24/7 access to emergency phone support.
Real stories from real students
You might be thinking: Great, I’ve got all this information. But what is an exchange program really like?
We think the best people to answer that question are the students who have experienced a Southern Cross Cultural Exchange program. You’ve seen and heard from some of them already, in the photos and stories they’ve allowed us to share on our website, brochures, blogs and social media channels. We invite you to read more of their stories.
The good, the challenging and the magical moments
These experiences from real students provide an insight into what an exchange program abroad is really like. Not just the enriched learning and fun stuff but also the culture shock and homesickness. You’ll learn about the turning points, such as when the local language suddenly made sense. Or when their host family started to feel like real family and curious classmates became their best friends. We can’t wait to hear your high school exchange story!
