High School Exchange Programs in Germany

Xu Bo is happy to offer the International High School Program (IHSP) in Germany. This program is supervised by our partner in Germany, Experiment E.v. Participants should be at least 15 and not older than 18 years of age and attend a high school in their home country. Students who have completed high school no more than 3 months prior to the program begin are also eligible. Participants must have at least a basic command of German or a good command of English. Participants with no knowledge of either German or English are required to take part in an at least 4-week language course organised by Experiment e.V. The costs for accommodation and the course are not included in the program fee.

The program includes the following meetings and services:

	orientation seminar, mid-term seminar (for full-year participants)
	end-of-year seminar (for full and half-year participants)
	transfer from the airport to the seminar location and then to the host family upon arrival
	transfer from the host family to the airport on the departure date
	host family accommodation
	an administration fee, as well as health, accident and third-liability insurance

Program Duration

Year Program	August 27, 2009 - mid July 2010
	January 21, 2010 - mid January 2011
Semester program	August 27, 2009 - mid January 2010
	January 21, 2010 - mid July 2010
2 & 3-month program	start dates decided on an individual basis

Application Deadline

Completed applications must be received at least four months prior to the participant's arrival in Germany (this may be earlier than the official program start, if the participant takes part in a language course). Late applications will be handled on a case-by-case basis; however applications will no longer be accepted more than 10 days after the deadline. For late applications an additional fee of 250 Euros will be charged.

Cancellation

For cancellations by students prior to the host family placement, only the application fee of €300 shall be retained by Experiment e.V. Subsequent to placement, the application fee of €300 plus a post-placement cancellation fee of €300 are due to Experiment e.V. (total €600). No refunds will be given to any student who cancels or withdraws from the program after the student's arrival in Germany.

Required Documents

The participant must submit the following documents: The participant must submit the following documents:

	Experiment e.V. placement form
	A "Dear host family" letter in which the participant describes him or herself, their family and their everyday life
	Signed “rules for exchange students” form
	A letter from the natural parents describing their son/daughter
	Medical report/health certificate
	School reports (copies) of at least the 2 most recent terms
	German or English language assessment (e.g. from the German or English teacher)
	Recommendation letter (e.g. from a teacher, principal, guidance counsellor, etc.)
	A copy of the passport
	5 smiling passport-size photos
	3-5 additional photos of the applicant and their family as an album for the host family

Host Family

Participants will be accommodated in host families, who live all over Germany. Special requests cannot be guaranteed (e.g. for certain locations, family size etc.). It is important that participants are prepared to value the experience itself rather than the outward conditions of the home stay. The host family considers the student to be a temporary member of the family. They offer their home, time, hospitality, and their interest in learning and exchanging views with the student about him and his culture. The participant will be notified as soon as a host family is found. Experiment will forward the full address, closest airports and train stations as well as a family description along with the address of the local representative as early as possible.

School

It is obligatory for the student to attend school throughout the entire duration of the program. The host family will enroll him/her in the local school, which will be a Gymnasium. Very often, but not always, their own children will attend the same school. On the basis of the submitted school certificates, the host school will decide upon the grade level the student will be placed in. Should the student require credits for certain subjects, it is very important that they indicate this in the application!

Program Rules/Disciplinary Action

We take our program rules very seriously and will exercise disciplinary action against those students who disobey these rules. Depending on the severity of the offence, we will issue a written letter of warning or probation, which is sent to the student, host family, local coordinator, partner organization and natural parents. Students who repeatedly disobey our program rules will be dismissed from the program without refund.

Orientation Seminar

Students will take part in a 3-day orientation seminar upon arrival. The orientation covers the nature of the program, the program rules, the cultural differences between the home country and Germany, visa information, insurance, counselling and financial responsibility. All costs for the seminar are included in the program price. Transfer from the airport to the orientation seminar as well as transfer costs from the seminar location to the host family are included.

Mid-Term Seminar

After the first half of the year-program, students are obligated to take part in a 3-day mid-term seminar. Their experiences will be discussed and evaluated and unsolved problems or questions will be addressed. Transfer to the seminar is included in the price. Mid-term seminars will only take place for full-year students.

End-of-Year Seminar

At the end of their stay, students must also take part in a 3-day seminar before their departure. This seminar provides the chance for all Experiment e.V. exchange students to meet and reflect on their past year or months. The students are prepared for the return to their home country and the possible issues and reverse culture shock they may experience. End-of-year seminars will be organized for full-year students as well as semester students.

Program Supervision/Local Coordinator

During the program a local coordinator is ready to assist the student and the host family should they need advice, require assistance or have questions or problems. The local coordinator will be in regular contact with the student and the host family. Of course the Experiment e.V. office in Bonn can always be contacted for assistance as well.

Spending Money

Participants have to bring their own spending money to cover their private expenses. Usually we recommend a monthly allowance of about 180-250 Euros.

Visa to Germany (for non-European citizens)

Participants will get all necessary documents from Experiment e.V. in order to apply for their visa. They are responsible for arranging a date on which to submit the documents to the German Embassy in their home country. For more information, they should also consult the German Embassy.

Travel

Participants must arrange their international travel in a timely manner and should plan to arrive on the first day of the orientation seminar. Participants will be informed of the closest airport to the seminar location. Transfer from the airport to this location is arranged by Experiment e.V. All participants will be picked up by their host families or will take the train to their new host town.

Insurance

Full health, accident and third-liability insurance coverage will be arranged by Experiment e.V. in Germany. The extent of the coverage and other insurance details will be discussed during the orientation seminar.

To Apply or Learn More

To apply or learn more about the ISHP program, please fill in the fields of the form provided below and then press the Send button. Please be sure to provide your correct email address - you will receive automatic confirmation email shortly and we will respond to your request as soon as possible.

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