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Experience Life In the United States With United Studies! |
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Have you dreamed about becoming an exchange student for as long as you can remember? Did a friend or family member study abroad and now you want to do the same? Maybe a parent did when they were your age? Whatever your reason for wanting to be an exchange student, we are excited for you and can't wait to help you begin your exciting journey with us! Deciding to become an international exchange student in the United States may just be one of the best decisions you will make in your life! Students from all over the world come to the United States to live with a host family and study in an American high school. So why should you choose to become an exchange student with United Studies? |
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Hear From Actual Students! |
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Don't just take our word for it! Hear from some of our past exchange students as to why you should become an exchange student! |
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Are You Ready to Take the Next Step? |
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| Are you ready to sign up for an exchange program that will change your life? | ||||||||||||||
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"Being an exchange student allowed me to make my dreams come true because it gave me the opportunity to build beautiful relationships, such as the one with my friends and my American family, also it has allowed me to know and love another culture that is different from mine. Living in a big city (in Italy), I have always been used to the noise of so many people on the street and a chaotic life. In Kansas my life changed because I feel I have come into contact more with nature and with people and I really enjoyed it. This experience made me grow and understand the most important values like the love of a family, the smile of a friend and the fact that if you want something at any costs you can do it. Living in the United States for a year, I was struck by many things that I will never forget. One of them is the curiosity and the fun questions that every person I met asked me. I really loved that people were so interested to know me and my culture, this gave me the strength to overcome difficult moments and to give my best." 
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Experience Life In the United States With United Studies! |
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Have you dreamed about becoming an exchange student for as long as you can remember? Did a friend or family member study abroad and now you want to do the same? Maybe a parent did when they were your age? Whatever your reason for wanting to be an exchange student, we are excited for you and can't wait to help you begin your exciting journey with us! Deciding to become an international exchange student in the United States may just be one of the best decisions you will make in your life! Students from all over the world come to the United States to live with a host family and study in an American high school. So why should you choose to become an exchange student with United Studies? |
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Hear From Actual Students! |
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Don't just take our word for it! Hear from some of our past exchange students as to why you should become an exchange student! |
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Are You Ready to Take the Next Step? |
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| Are you ready to sign up for an exchange program that will change your life? | ||||||||||||||
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How the Academic Year Program Works Whether you are signing up for a 10-month program or a 5-month semester program, all exchange students have to follow the same process: |
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Advice to Future Exchange Students |
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United Studies exchange students learn a lot during their time in the United States, so we asked some former students to give advice to our future exchange students. Here's what they said: |
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Are You Ready to Take the Next Step? |
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How the Academic Year Program Works Whether you are signing up for a 10-month program or a 5-month semester program, all exchange students have to follow the same process: |
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Advice to Future Exchange Students |
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United Studies exchange students learn a lot during their time in the United States, so we asked some former students to give advice to our future exchange students. Here's what they said: |
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Are You Ready to Take the Next Step? |
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What Are the Requirements to Be an Exchange Student? |
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Students who are currently enrolled in secondary school and have not yet graduated are welcome to apply for our Semester or Academic Year Program. United Studies seeks students who are not only above average academically, we also look for students who stand out from the crowd and are excited to live as a member of an American host family, and desire to fully participate in a cultural exchange program. |
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As part of the application process, we require students to submit specific documentation as required by most American high schools. As you apply, please keep in mind that you will need to submit documents such as your high school transcripts, medical record and immunizations, English language evaluation, teacher recommendations, and have a valid passport. |
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Hear From Natural Parents! |
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The decision to become an exchange student is not only a big one for the students themselves, but also for their natural parents. We asked some former natural parents why they recommend their children come to the U.S. with United Studeies. Here's what they said: |
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Are You Ready to Take the Next Step? |
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| Are you ready to sign up for an exchange program that will change your life? | |||||||||
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"It's been almost a year and a half that we sent our daughter to study abroad for a year. Undoubtedly the year was hard, but the result was clearly worth it. Not only because of the language learning, but also because of the incredible internal growth and development. This is a big step towards maturity."|
What Are the Requirements to Be an Exchange Student? |
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Students who are currently enrolled in secondary school and have not yet graduated are welcome to apply for our Semester or Academic Year Program. United Studies seeks students who are not only above average academically, we also look for students who stand out from the crowd and are excited to live as a member of an American host family, and desire to fully participate in a cultural exchange program. |
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As part of the application process, we require students to submit specific documentation as required by most American high schools. As you apply, please keep in mind that you will need to submit documents such as your high school transcripts, medical record and immunizations, English language evaluation, teacher recommendations, and have a valid passport. |
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The decision to become an exchange student is not only a big one for the students themselves, but also for their natural parents. We asked some former natural parents why they recommend their children come to the U.S. with United Studeies. Here's what they said: |
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Are You Ready to Take the Next Step? |
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J-1 Or F-1 Visa Program...What’s Right For Me? |
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While there are many similarities between the J-1 and F-1 visa programs, there are some very important differences to keep in mind as you make your decision on which program to apply to. Through the United Studies J-1 Visa Program, exchange students attend school for either a 10-month academic year program (typically August – May) or a 5-month semester program (August – December or January – May). Students from countries south of the equator follow a calendar year and start their program in January and end in December (going home during the summer months). All students have the option of attending a public school (some public schools charge a nominal tuition to attend) or attend a private school (where tuition can range from as little as $5,000 upwards of $20,000 or more). Some other key features of the program are: |
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For some students, a single year in the United States is not enough. There are some students who wish to attend high school in the United States for multiple years, with the goal of graduating and receiving a diploma and perhaps even attending university in the United States. Students who choose the F-1 visa program have the option of attending a public school, private school or boarding school. The cost of tuition associated with the F-1 visa program can vary greatly depending upon the school. The F-! visa program is very similar to the J-1, but has some added benefits: |
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Are You Ready to Take the Next Step? |
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J-1 Or F-1 Visa Program...What’s Right For Me? |
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While there are many similarities between the J-1 and F-1 visa programs, there are some very important differences to keep in mind as you make your decision on which program to apply to. Through the United Studies J-1 Visa Program, exchange students attend school for either a 10-month academic year program (typically August – May) or a 5-month semester program (August – December or January – May). Students from countries south of the equator follow a calendar year and start their program in January and end in December (going home during the summer months). All students have the option of attending a public school (some public schools charge a nominal tuition to attend) or attend a private school (where tuition can range from as little as $5,000 upwards of $20,000 or more). Some other key features of the program are: |
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For some students, a single year in the United States is not enough. There are some students who wish to attend high school in the United States for multiple years, with the goal of graduating and receiving a diploma and perhaps even attending university in the United States. Students who choose the F-1 visa program have the option of attending a public school, private school or boarding school. The cost of tuition associated with the F-1 visa program can vary greatly depending upon the school. The F-! visa program is very similar to the J-1, but has some added benefits: |
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Are You Ready to Take the Next Step? |
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| Are you ready to sign up for an exchange program that will change your life? | ||||||
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HOW DO I BEGIN? |
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE UNITED STUDIES |
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| United Studies works with several international partners in many different countries in Europe, South America, and Asia. We are happy to put you in touch with one of our partners to begin your exchange journey! | We believe that the United Studies exchange program is the only choice for students who want to have the best possible exchange experience. We select participants carefully, our Local Coordinators are well trained and carefully select host families, and our office staff have decades of experience in high school exchange programs. | |
WHERE WILL I LIVE? |
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES? |
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Students are matched with host families across the United States. America is vast country that encompasses an amazing array of diversity. Students on the J-1 Visa Program are not given the choice to choose where they wished to be placed. We believe that every area of America has worth and lessons to be learned and that no area should be overlooked. Students on the F-1 Visa Program may choose the school and location they wish to be placed. |
Absolutely! The students are encouraged to join sports, clubs and organizations to enhance their experience while living in America. All students come with the understanding they cannot be guaranteed they will be allowed to participate in these activities, however. | |
WHEN WILL I GET A HOST FAMILY |
CAN I TRAVEL WHILE ON PROGRAM? |
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| Once your application has been screened and approved by United Studies, the search for a host family and school will begin. This process does require some patience – our Local Coordinators work hard to find a qualified host family and school but it may take a bit of time to find the very best fit for you! | As a participant in the United Studies exchange program, you will be experiencing living in America on a daily basis and that is exciting enough as it is! While you may have opportunities to travel with your host family, host families are not required to take you on trips and vacations. Please remember that your main focus while on program is to go to school, do well academically and fully integrate into your host family. Independent travel without your host family, school or Local Coordinator are not permitted. | |
IS THERE A MINIMUM ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT? |
CAN I CHOOSE WHERE I LIVE? |
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| United Studies requires that students have a good grasp on the English language both verbal and written. Our minimum ELTiS score is 220. | Students on the J-1 visa program cannot choose where they live unless they are what we call a Direct Placement (a student that already has a non-relative willing to host them) or they are willing to pay an extra fee to guarantee Placement in a specific state or region. Students on the F-1 visa program can choose their host location. | |
WHAT KIND OF HOST FAMILY WILL I LIVE WITH? |
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED HELP DURING THE YEAR? |
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People and families that host with United Studies come in all shapes and sizes! Some are married, some are not. Some have children, some do not. Some are working, some are retired. Some are religious, some are not. Our goal is to match students with host families based on things like personality traits and shared hobbies and interests. |
United Studies provides excellent support to our students throughout their exchange program. Local Coordinators and office staff are trained to help work through any problems exchange student might experience throughout the year with their host family, school, or anything else that may arise. | |
CAN I CHANGE HOST FAMILIES? |
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| While United Studies places students with host families we believe are the best fit, we do realize that things don’t always work as planned. In rare circumstances we do allow students to move to a new host family in cases of irreconcilable differences and unresolved conflicts between the student and host family. However, student safety is our number one priority and we will absolutely move students to a new host family if student safety is a concern. | ||
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HOW DO I BEGIN? |
| United Studies works with several international partners in many different countries in Europe, South America, and Asia. We are happy to put you in touch with one of our partners to begin your exchange journey! |
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE UNITED STUDIES |
| We believe that the United Studies exchange program is the only choice for students who want to have the best possible exchange experience. We select participants carefully, our Local Coordinators are well trained and carefully select host families, and our office staff have decades of experience in high school exchange programs. |
WHERE WILL I LIVE? |
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Students are matched with host families across the United States. America is vast country that encompasses an amazing array of diversity. Students on the J-1 Visa Program are not given the choice to choose where they wished to be placed. We believe that every area of America has worth and lessons to be learned and that no area should be overlooked. Students on the F-1 Visa Program may choose the school and location they wish to be placed. |
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES? |
| Absolutely! The students are encouraged to join sports, clubs and organizations to enhance their experience while living in America. All students come with the understanding they cannot be guaranteed they will be allowed to participate in these activities, however. |
WHEN WILL I GET A HOST FAMILY |
| Once your application has been screened and approved by United Studies, the search for a host family and school will begin. This process does require some patience – our Local Coordinators work hard to find a qualified host family and school but it may take a bit of time to find the very best fit for you! |
CAN I TRAVEL WHILE ON PROGRAM? |
| As a participant in the United Studies exchange program, you will be experiencing living in America on a daily basis and that is exciting enough as it is! While you may have opportunities to travel with your host family, host families are not required to take you on trips and vacations. Please remember that your main focus while on program is to go to school, do well academically and fully integrate into your host family. Independent travel without your host family, school or Local Coordinator are not permitted. |
IS THERE A MINIMUM ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT? |
| United Studies requires that students have a good grasp on the English language both verbal and written. Our minimum ELTiS score is 220. |
CAN I CHOOSE WHERE I LIVE? |
| Students on the J-1 visa program cannot choose where they live unless they are what we call a Direct Placement (a student that already has a non-relative willing to host them) or they are willing to pay an extra fee to guarantee Placement in a specific state or region. Students on the F-1 visa program can choose their host location. |
WHAT KIND OF HOST FAMILY WILL I LIVE WITH? |
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People and families that host with United Studies come in all shapes and sizes! Some are married, some are not. Some have children, some do not. Some are working, some are retired. Some are religious, some are not. Our goal is to match students with host families based on things like personality traits and shared hobbies and interests. |
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED HELP DURING THE YEAR? |
| United Studies provides excellent support to our students throughout their exchange program. Local Coordinators and office staff are trained to help work through any problems exchange student might experience throughout the year with their host family, school, or anything else that may arise. |
CAN I CHANGE HOST FAMILIES? |
| While United Studies places students with host families we believe are the best fit, we do realize that things don’t always work as planned. In rare circumstances we do allow students to move to a new host family in cases of irreconcilable differences and unresolved conflicts between the student and host family. However, student safety is our number one priority and we will absolutely move students to a new host family if student safety is a concern. |
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