HIGH SCHOOL and YOUTH ABROAD Program

Introduction

 

 When it comes to learning languages and developing social and intercultural communication skills, the younger the better.Cultural Embrace has partnered with several institutions to provide fascinating academic year, semester, term, or summer programs for youth and teenagers. These programs are designed for students under the age of 18 who want to experience living and studying abroad. Students must have high standards of behavior and maturity as well as knowledge of the host language in order to qualify for the program.

All of our High School Abroad Programs include room and full board with a host family, airport pick-up and transfer, social & cultural activities, placement attending a local high school, traveler's insurance, and adult supervision. Choose from a variety of destinations with flexible dates.  

 

Through Cultural Embrace, you'll be able to live, study, and travel among the locals as well as with young people from across the globe, making lifelong memories and lasting friendships. Download a PDF version of our High School and Youth Abroad Program Details, and read our blogs to get a glimpse of the real life experience.  

 

Discover the Similarities…Share the Differences!

Program Highlights and Benefits

High School and Youth Abroad Offers:

  • Rapid imrovement of foreign language skills through immersion and study
  • An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
  • The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
  • An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g. sports, music, cooking)
  • Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about
  • A valuable experience that develops maturity, self-confidence, and intercultural skills

 

Cultural Embrace Includes:

  • Placement in a Local High School
    Cultural Embrace places students in private, public and semi-private high schools. The local principal decides grade level based on language ability and previous coursework. 
  • Assistance with Transfer of Credits and Transcripts of Grades
    Cultural Embrace will make every effort to coordinate courses needed to receive credit, but applicants must be aware that they may have to repeat the corresponding grade in their home country after return. Their home country school needs to clearly inform them of the requirements and procedures to get the grades from their school year abroad recognized upon return. Cultural Embrace cannot guarantee that the placement will be in a certain grade level, that transferable credits will be granted, or that a diploma will be awarded upon completion. Those decisions remain at the discretion of the sending and receiving institutions.
  • Room and Board with a Host Family
    Cultural Embrace pre-arranges and includes a room in a carefully selected host family. We make every effort to match the student with a host family that shares their interests. The family is responsible for providing all meals, although lunch may be provided at the school. Dinner is usually a scrumptious, home-cooked meal and an occasion for conversation.
  • Visa Assistance
    Most participants will need to apply for a student visa. Please contact your local foreign Embassy or Consulate to check requirements, or ask your CE coordinator. Please note that any visa fees are the responsibility of the applicant. And, while we can assist you during the process, ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure that you have obtained the appropriate visa for your work experience. Cultural Embrace has no control over the visa process and cannot guarantee that your visa application will be accepted. 
  • Arrival Pick-up
    Transfer from the airport to the host family.
  • Orientation and Check-ins by Local Coordinator
    Upon arrival, the student will be given an orientation to the country and culture. They will also be assigned an in-country coordinator who checks in with them throughout their stay and is available to assist the student at all times.
  • International Traveler’s Insurance with Basic Major Medical Coverage
    Our policy provides basic medical coverage. Additional policies and premium plans are available at extra cost.
  • Cultural Embrace “Culture Kit”
    Before your departure, we will send you a cultural kit filled with useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for your amazing adventure of living and working abroad.
  • Full-time Representation
    Cultural Embrace provides English-speaking representation in the United States and abroad  prior to, during, and after your placement.

 

 

Program Requirements

In order to participate in this program, Cultural Embrace requires that you: 

  • Be currently enrolled in high school (or middle school for summer programs)
  • Have two years of language studies in the host language (except for Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Portugal, and short term stays)
  • Be interested in the local culture and language
  • Possess the highest standards of behavior
  • Be dedicated to the full term of committment
  • Possess the responsibility and maturity necessary to live away from home
  • Some countries will require an interview prior to acceptance
  • Be willing to follow all host family and school rules

 

High School Country-Specific Information & Program Fees

 Argentina– Students attend private schools in Rosario, an active and safe town 300 km from Buenos Aires. Classes include Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Physical Education, Mathematics, Spanish, Literature, Foreign Language (English), Music, Technology, and Economy. Additional offerings might include Technical Drawing, Biology, Physics, Plastic and Visual Education, Chemistry, French, Italian, Latin, etc. Ages 15-18.

Location Dates Program Fee
Rosario, Argentina March 7- Aug.2, Aug. 2- Dec. 21 Semester $4130
Rosario, Argentina March 7- Dec. 21st, Aug.-June Academic Year $5685
 
Chile– Students attend private schools throughout Chile. Students choose to specialize in humanistic-scientific or technical-professional education. Humanistic-scientific is a traditional liberal arts curriculum in preparation for higher education. Technical-professional education offers specialization: industrial, technical, agricultural, commercial, and maritime. Ages 14-18.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
Chile Jan.- April, April- July, July- Oct., Oct.- Jan. Term $3965
Chile Feb.- Aug., July- Jan. Semester $5190
Chile Feb.- Dec., July- June Academic Year $6120
 
Costa Rica– Students attend public, private, and semi-private schools in regions around the capital of San José (Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, etc.). There is no standard list of subjects for all schools, but the school day might consist of Math, Spanish, Physics, French, English, Social Science, Civil Education, Philosophy, Religion, Chemistry, Sports, Music, and Arts. Ages 15-18.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
Costa Rica Anytime Term $4995 (public), $5850 (semi-private), $6675 (private)
Costa Rica Feb.- June Semester $6025 (public), $7780 (semi-private), $8925 (private)
Costa Rica Feb.- Nov./Dec. Academic Year $8980 (public), $11,885 (semi-private), $14,235 (private)
 
Ecuador– Students attend public or private schools throughout Ecuador, many schools are in the Quito area. Students may also choose to attend an all-girl or all-boy high school. Several different curricula are available; the most popular is Liberal Arts and includes Literature, History, and Speech. Cost of private school remains at student’s own charge (approx. $40-60 per month). Most Ecuadorian schools do not permit exchange students to enroll as seniors in the 12th grade, regardless of how many years of study they have. Ages 15-18.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
Ecuador Sept.- June, Jan.- June Semester $4850
Ecuador Sept.- June Academic Year $6635
 
Germany– Students attend public schools throughout Germany. Courses are challenging and abstract; students are confronted with different theories and ideas, and asked to form their own opinion. Most high level students are placed at year 10 or 11, and a good knowledge of German will help secure a higher class placement. Ages 15-18.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
 Germany  Aug.- Dec., Jan.- April  Term  $4745
 Germany  Aug.- Jan., Jan.- June  Semester  $6555
 Germany  Aug.- June  Academic Year  $7065
 
 Italy– Students attend public schools across Italy. Students may choose between several curricula: classical, scientific, fine arts, teacher training, and technical. Ages 14-18.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
Italy Sept.- June, Jan.- June Semester $6070
Italy Sept.- June Academic Year $7045
 
Mexico– Students attend public schools in and around Mexico City. Courses include Math, Biology, History, Spanish Literature, Physical Education, Art, Music, French, and Italian. Ages 15-18.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
Mexico Sept.- Jan. Semester $4980
Mexico Sept.- June Academic Year $5935
  
New Zealand– Students attend a school in Auckland or Christchurch. A large number of subjects are available (accounting, art, design, painting, photography, sculpture, biology, legal studies, fashion, statistics, physics, media, etc.); English, Science, and Math are compulsory. Many sports and cultural activities are also offered. 15-18 in Auckland; 13-18 in Christchurch.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
Auckland, NZ July- Dec., Feb.- July Semester $11,500
Auckland, NZ Feb.- Dec. Academic Year $21,350
Christchurch, NZ July- Dec. Semester $10,145
Christchurch, NZ Feb.- July Semester $10,455
Christchurch, NZ Feb.- Dec. Academic Year $18,710
 
Portugal– Students attend public schools across Portugal. Courses include Philosophy, Physical Education, Foreign Language, Math, and Social Development. Students in Portugal have more freedom, as there are occasional empty periods between classes when students may stay around the school or go out. Ages 15-18.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
Portugal Sept.- June Academic Year $5740
 
Spain– Students attend public schools in Cadiz, Huelva, Asturias, Leon, Murcia, Madrid, or Barcelona. Courses include Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Social Sciences, Physical Education, Plastic and Visual Education, Spanish Literature, Math, Music, Technology, Philosophy, History, Latin, and Greek. In Barcelona, classes are conducted in the Catalan language. Ages 15-18.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
Cadiz, Huelva, Asturias, Leon, Murcia Sept.- Dec. Term $7065
Madrid, Barcelona Sept.- Dec. Term $8730
Cadiz, Huelva, Asturias, Leon, Murcia Jan.- June Semester $7570
Madrid, Barcelona Jan.- June Semester $10,180
Cadiz, Huelva, Asturias, Leon, Murcia Sept.- June Academic Year $10,170
Madrid, Barcelona Sept.- June Academic Year $15,690
 

Short Term Programs & Fees

 Australia– A four week program that offers students the opportunity to stay with a local family and attend an Australian high school in Perth. Ages 14-17.

French Homestay– Improve language communication and understand French culture by living with a French host family for 2-8 weeks. For the June session, the student may also attend a local school with his/her French siblings. Ages 13-19.
 
German Homestay– A four week program that offers students the opportunity to stay with a local family and attend a German high school. Ages 13-18.
 
Location Dates Program Fee
Perth, Australia July or August 4 weeks $3375
French Homestay June, July, or August 2 weeks $2790
French Homestay June, July, or August 4 weeks $2835
French Homestay June, July, or August 8 weeks $3385
German Homestay July or August 4 weeks $2825
 

How to Apply

1. Obtain the Cultural Classes Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:

(a) Download the forms:  Cultural Classes Application and High School Abroad Program Details.

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be mailed to you within 2-3 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or Skype: Cultural.Embrace to have the forms mailed to you in 3-5 days. 

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to:

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA

Completed packet should include:

  • Cultural Classes Program Application
  • Signed Cultural Classes Agreement
  • Copy of your passport (information page only)
  • Two 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
  • One smiling full-length photo of yourself (for local coordinator to identify you)
  • US$250 non-refundable application fee

Upon receipt of your application, a Cultural Embrace coordinator will contact you for a 20-30 minute phone interview. Once we accept you in to our program, you will receive an invoice for the remainder of your program fee. In order for us to contact our local partners to start your placement process, we require at least 50% of your program costs.

Be prepared to complete a lengthy application to the local school and submit school grades from the last three years (in local language if possible), foreign language teacher’s recommendation, health report, and a letter to host family with personal and family photos. This is in order to gauge the student’s language level, academic interests, personality, and hobbies in order to match them with a school and local family.

We recommend submitting your application and program fee at least 6 months prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your high school placement, or 4 months prior to departure for short-term programs.
*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 16 weeks or less before the desired date of departure. Applications received 12-16 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received fewer than 12 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250. Cultural Embrace may not be able to make a high school placement if we receive the application less than 6 months before departure. This depends on the local institution’s regulations, so please contact us directly with questions about deadline.
 

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or Skype: Cultural.Embrace.