YOUR NEW ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
Every High School USA student will enjoy an authentic American high school experience, live with a supportive host family, and receive top-tier guidance.
Becoming an exchange student offers a truly immersive cultural experience. By living with a carefully chosen local family in a safe and welcoming home, you’ll have countless opportunities to explore your new community alongside your host family and the friends you make at school.
Picture yourself enjoying a meal at a local restaurant with friends on the weekend or taking a scenic walk on a nearby nature trail with your host family. Living in the USA gives you a firsthand look at American life, culture, and traditions—an incredible chance to experience the American dream from the inside.
The beauty of studying abroad is that no two experiences are the same. What you gain from an international exchange is uniquely yours
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Discover and develop personal strengths such as self-reliance, resourcefulness, and confidence.
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Gain a broader, global perspective and a strong sense of social responsibility.
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Improve proficiency in a new language.
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Meet extraordinary people and build lifelong friendships.
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Strengthen decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
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Cultivate independent thinking and adaptability in handling new challenges.
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Gain a competitive edge on college applications.
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Expand global career opportunities.
A study abroad experience isn’t just about learning in a new country—it’s about transforming your future.
ADVENTURE
Develop your cultural openness, maturity, independence, adaptability, problem-solving, leadership, and self-confidence.
FRIENDSHIPS
You'll build meaningful friendships with American teenagers. While social life may differ from your home city, you'll connect with local students in a fun and supportive way.
HOME IN THE USA
You'll gain a second family and a home away from home. As an exchange student, you'll learn English and immerse in your host country's culture and traditions.
BE GLOBAL READY
Many students use their exchange year to advance their studies abroad, gain a university edge, and launch international careers.
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
With a vast network across the U.S., we provide authentic, immersive study and living experiences for young travelers. Our all-in-one package ensures a seamless and enriching journey for participants and their families.
SELECTED HOST FAMILY
Host families are volunteers who have gone through our extensive selection process and provide room, board, and basic transportation.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Our expert staff carefully selects high schools to ensure they provide excellent educational opportunities and the support needed for student success.
MENTORSHIP
Our experts guide you through the application & departure process. Once in the USA, they offer additional support beyond your host family.
PROGRAM ORIENTATION
HSUSA students are all required
to participate in our local orientation, providing a complete introduction to life in the U.S.
TRAVEL
The program tuition includes round-trip flights from your closest international airport, arranged through our trusted partner travel agency.
VISA APPLICATION SUPPORT
As a designated visa sponsor by the U.S. Department of State, we provide the necessary documents and guidance for the J-1 visa application process.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
HSUSA provides comprehensive health insurance specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of international exchange students.
ARE YOU
ELIGIBLE ?
At HIGH SCHOOL in the USA, We carefully select candidates in our program, simply to ensure each participants experience a great personal experience
We consider English ability, academic performance, maturity, flexibility, and willingness to adapt to a new culture in our selection process. We look at the “whole picture” for each applicant and select those students whom we believe can successfully navigate an academic exchange year in the U.S. while being away from family and friends back home.
* Be between 15 and 18 years of age when you arrive in the USA
* Be in good academic standing
* Be enrolled in a secondary school when you apply and not completed high school before you arrive
YOUR HEALTH & SAFETY ARE OUR
TOP PRIORITY!
The health, safety, and well-being of our students are our top priority. Through our 3-layer support system, a coordinated effort between our regional teams, HSUSA office staff, and host families, we ensure every student is safe during their time in the U.S.A.
LAYER 1- THE HOST FAMILY:
We exceed the host family selection requirements of the U.S. Department of State with a very strict vetting process for our host families. The process includes extended interviews with several members of our leadership team, background check as well as several referrals from esteemed members of the community.
HSUSA selects open-minded, welcoming families who wish to invite a new member into their family and share cultures. We consider the relationship between a student and host family to be the most important of your exchange year as they become your second family. They will be there at each and every moment of your exchange year and will be your first point of contact while in the U.S.A.
LAYER 2- THE LOCAL COORDINATOR:
The Local Coordinators also are subject to a very scrupulous selection process. We absolutely want to be certain of the staff we work with and ensure top-quality support for you or your children. In the same way as host families, they do go through an extended screening process as well as need to present strong referrals from respected members of the industry.
Our Local Coordinator is highly trained in intercultural communication, mediation, and support, and will be a mentor and friend to you. They are available 24/7. The Local Coordinator will welcome the students to the host community, introduce them to the host family, and complete regular supervision reports for the parents at home.
LAYER 3- OUR DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF:
Our experienced support team in Nashville, TN is available by phone to support all program participants in the event of an emergency from the time you or your child step foot on a plane to their day-to-day experience in the U.S.A.
They all went through qualified support training to provide all participants with the best support they need to live a top experience with HIGH SCHOOL in the USA.
BONUS:
JOIN OUR L.E.A.D. PROGRAM FOR FREE!
It takes more than classroom knowledge alone to achieve our goals in life.
For over 150 years, our sister company, Southwestern Advantage, has trained college students on the principles of leadership and community impact. These principles are now being shared with students through a nationwide community called LE∆D.
LE∆D is a program designed to help young people gain the skills and character they need to achieve their goals in life. The program spotlights life skills, emotional intelligence, academics, and making a difference in the community — preparing students for success both before and after graduation.
6 MONTHS PROGRAM FREE ACCESS
TESTIMONIALS
Hind M
From Morocco >
Central High School
Phoenix (AZ)
'I really enjoyed my time with my host family who totally became a second family to me. I had new brothers and sisters and I felt totally part of the family. I am also so grateful to our Local Coordinator who was regularly in touch and check upon me! It made me and my family so relieved to know the organization was looking after us so well. This experienced changed my life!’
Manon E
From France >
Fluvana County High School
Fluvana (VA)
'Today, I am a Project Manager in a leading worldwide shipping company based in France. Thanks to my exchange year, I gained maturity and confidence. I am now managing different teams from all over the world. I am 25 and already lived in 5 cities in 3 different countries. That exchange year made me the person I am today, and I am so grateful for that.’
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Adea G
From Kosovo >
Deer Valley High School
Phoenix (AZ)
'Being an exchange student back in 2012, has led me to embark on a personal growth journey. It was one of the most life-changing experience. It made me brave, courageous and motivated to take new opportunities in life. Linda, our local coordinator was always ready to help and assist me in every difficult situation I faced. I will always be thankful to Linda and the team.’
Georgi D
From Bulgaria >
Orange County School
Orange (CA)
'I didn't really know what to expect upon my arrival in America. Emotions totally took over but it was so worth it!. I was picked up by my amazing host family. Their smile and welcome committee totally reassured and the rest is history... I do recommend spending a year in high school in the USA: it is unique, rewarding and character-building. ’
Because it sometimes makes more sense to hear it all from some of our former participants!
BASIC PROGRAM QUESTIONS
it is natural at this point to have a ton of questions! While we are more than happy to answer them all personally, here is a short list of Frequently Asked Questions.
