Guide to the U.S. Public High School Exchange Program
What is the Public High School Exchange Program?
The U.S. Public High School Exchange Program is overseen by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs under the U.S. Department of State. Rooted in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, the program was established to foster cultural exchange between the United States and various countries worldwide. It began to develop in earnest in 1982 under former President Ronald Reagan's "International Youth Exchange Initiative."
International students participating in this program live with typical American host families and attend public high schools alongside American students for either one semester or one full academic year. During their stay, they receive the same treatment as U.S. citizens while participating in various school programs to learn about American culture and the English language.
Furthermore, participants are issued a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa rather than a standard F-1 student visa. Among various study abroad options, this program is known for having the highest satisfaction rates. Its primary advantages include the ability to attend public schools and receive room and board from an American family at a very affordable cost.
Advantages of the Program
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Students are issued a Cultural Exchange Visa (J-1) rather than a standard student visa (F-1).
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It is the option with the highest satisfaction rate among various study abroad programs.
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The costs are low, as students receive room and board within American host families.
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Students are able to enroll in the same public schools attended by local American students.
Introduction to the Public Exchange Student Program
Category | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Eligibility | Ages 15 to 18 | |
Placement Area / School | Public high schools throughout the United States (Selection not possible) | Regional selection options can be added |
Housing Type | Residing with a local American volunteer Host Family | |
Duration | 5, 10, or 12 months | Enrollment in January or August |
Qualifications | * Grades of "C" or higher in each subject over the last 3 years (Individual inquiry required)
* ELTiS Test score of 689 or higher
* Interview English conversation score of 7 or higher (out of 10)
* Must demonstrate a willingness to adapt well to school, host family, and culture, and commit to schoolwork | |
Application Process | * Take the ELTiS test at World Study & Education
* Pass the preliminary interview, then complete and submit the application | If a retake is needed after the 1st ELTiS attempt: 2nd attempt allowed after 10 days, 3rd attempt after 6 months |
Visa Issuance | Apply for a J-1 (Cultural Exchange) visa after receiving the DS-2019 form from a U.S. foundation (Processed by World Study). Must return to home country within 30 days after the program ends. | Extension of the public school program after 1 year is not possible. Transitioning to a private school program is possible. |
Process of the U.S. Public HS Exchange Student Program
Management System of the Public Exchange Student Program
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The most significant feature of the exchange program is that students can directly learn American culture, lifestyle, and ways of thinking within an American family. They study at U.S. public schools funded by local taxes, receiving the same treatment as students with U.S. citizenship.
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Since public schools typically have no international students and very few Asians, students can achieve maximum English proficiency in a short period. In small-sized classes, they receive self-developing instruction that fosters a spirit of challenge and active participation. Furthermore, because students are placed in small to mid-sized cities with almost no Koreans, they live in an environment where they naturally absorb American culture and language.
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As this is a government-supported cultural exchange program, there is no need to pay tuition even as an international student, allowing for maximum effectiveness at a low cost. (Public schools operate with educational funding of $5,000 to $10,000 per student provided by the city.)While a typical homestay in the U.S. requires monthly fees of $700 to $1,500, exchange students receive free room and board under the care of volunteer families who have applied to participate out of a desire for cultural exchange.
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In a general homestay, resolving issues can be very difficult, often requiring parents to travel to the U.S. personally or hire a guardian at an additional cost. In contrast, exchange students are protected under a safe management system; in addition to the host family, there are regional managers and local coordinators who mediate and provide assistance if any issues arise with the host family.
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Because placements are made in safe small to mid-sized cities rather than large metropolitan areas, the environment is very secure. Furthermore, if a student fails to follow the rules, the organization informs the parents, significantly reducing the likelihood of the student straying off track.
💡 The estimated financial value of these exchange program benefits is approximately $40,000 (Tuition $10,000 + Homestay $2,000 x 10 months + Guardian $10,000).
Management System of the Public Exchange Student Program
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Life as a Public High School Student in the U.S.
High school life in the United States operates on a Schedule System, where students move between classrooms for different subjects, and classes are assigned based on the student's academic level. This structure helps students interact with a wide range of peers and receive an education tailored to their specific needs. While many schools in smaller cities may not have formal ESL (English as a Second Language) programs, students are encouraged to ask teachers for help at any time, as these interactions are highly beneficial for improving English skills.
For those interested in the arts, schools provide all necessary art supplies (brushes, paints, paper, clay, metalwork materials, etc.) free of charge. Students can even stay after school to work with their art teachers. Similarly, musical instruments such as flutes, saxophones, harps, and violins can be rented from the school at no cost for practice. Most U.S. high schools maintain high standards, requiring teachers to obtain a Master’s degree within three years of employment to continue teaching.
Extra-curricular activities are a vital part of the experience, and exchange students are encouraged to participate in activities that match their interests (with host family permission). If a student joins a sports team, the school generally covers the costs regardless of the student's skill level:
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Golf: The student must provide their own clubs, but the school covers balls, field practice, tournament fees, and lessons.
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Tennis: The student must provide their own racket, while the school covers balls, court fees, and lessons.
The curriculum includes required subjects (English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and P.E.) and electives (Home Economics, Art, or Music). Academic levels are categorized as Regular (R), Honor (H), or Advanced Placement (AP), and levels may change based on student performance. Students will take midterms, finals, and often weekly quizzes on Fridays. Maintaining a good GPA is essential regardless of future plans after the program.
The Host Family
Host families are volunteers who value the priceless experience of learning about new cultures by living with international students. They treat students as their own children, showing deep interest in their room and board, safety, and academics. Families are recruited through organizations like the PTA or church groups and are strictly screened according to CSIET standards and detailed foundation inspections.
Monthly Contact Form
The exchange foundation sends monthly reports regarding each student. These reports monitor and document the student's social life, homestay experience, and academic progress through interviews with local managers. World Study & Education translates these reports for parents and provides guidance when counseling or situational adjustments are needed. Through a tight communication network involving the School-Foundation-Host Family-Local Manager-World Study-Parents-Student, the student’s safety and academic achievement are managed with extreme care.
For the U.S. Exchange Student Program, pre-departure preparation is important, but student management after arrival is the ultimate priority. Only an experienced agency that has personally handled and resolved various cases over the past decade can ensure a safe and successful study abroad experience. You can confidently entrust your child's U.S. exchange journey to Schools ON AIR—our responsible management has built a lasting reputation among parents.
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