Student Language Development Exchange Program
How does it work?
This program provides students with the opportunity to improve their second language skills through linguistic and cultural immersion. Participants in this exchange alternate between hosting a partner from another culture in their home and school, and traveling to live with their partner and study at their partner’s school.
Depending on the exchange destination, the exchange periods can vary between 4 to 6 months, with the time divided equally between each exchange location. An important part of this exchange is that the paired students live in the same location at the same time.
Where can I go?
Students can participate in an exchange in Germany, Japan, Spain, Mexico or Québec.
What is the cost?
Families are responsible for the costs associated with hosting the exchange partner. Families are also expected to cover their son or daughter’s travel expenses and provide them with enough spending money for their time away. Students participating in the Québec exchange are eligible for a full travel subsidy. Students participating in the Japanese exchange are eligible for the T. Mikuriya Award.
Who can apply?
This exchange program is open to all high school students studying German, Japanese, Spanish or French. Students normally apply during their Grade 10 year to participate in the exchange during their Grade 11 year. They must have completed the 20 level of the appropriate language or its equivalent prior to departure.
How do I apply?
Students wanting to participate must send their completed application to Alberta Education by late February of the preceding school year they are applying for.
For example, you must apply in February 2008 to participate in an exchange during the 2008-2009 school year.
The application process is as follows:- Application – Students must print Part l & ll of the Student Language Development Exchange Program application form. Upon completion of Part I, students submit Part II of the application to their language teacher along with the other required documents.
- Interviews & Recommendations – Part II of the application is completed by the students’ language teacher. Language teachers conduct the initial screening of applicants by interviewing the applicant and their family. They also submit a letter of recommendation for the student.
- Selection & Matching – Once an applicant’s entire application has been received by Alberta Education, the Student Exchange Coordinator will work together with the exchange offices in Germany, Japan, Mexico, Spain or Québec to propose matches. Matches are based upon similar interests and lifestyles. This process takes place over a period of months, generally from March to May.
- Approval in Alberta – If a proposed match is found, the proposal is sent to the applicant’s school and family for approval. The applicant and their family may refuse the match if they do not consider it to be appropriate.
- Approval abroad – The exchange partner’s family is given the same opportunity of refusal as the Alberta family. Therefore, an exchange is not considered to be final until all parties have agreed to the match. Applicants will be notified by email, and subsequently by mail, when their exchange has been finalized. Shortly thereafter, students will receive a confirmation package outlining the “next steps” in preparing for the exchange.
