Worldwide thousands of students travel to the States yearly to participate in the exchange student program. Why? Simply because this is the best program for students to experience local American culture, to expertize their English ability, and to live like an American teenager for a year.
An introduction to U.S. life and culture before college can help – a solid U.S. high school exchange program can be the foundation of a great experience studying in USA. But international students should be aware when choosing among programs that they can vary in size and goals and can give students totally different perspectives on how the American high school system works.
For the past 20 years, Litz USA Student Service paired up with non-profit exchange student organizations in the U.S, providing precious opportunity for Hong Kong students to study in American public high schools, for the maximum of one academic year.
During your exchange year in the U.S, you will be housed with local American family and supervised by well-experienced field staffs. Exchange student organizations we work with are the leading ones in its field, and is guided by USIA and CSIET.
What so special about this program?
Through this exchange student program you will be living with volunteered local American family and attend area high school. In most cases schools that accept exchange students rarely accept students from the same nationality to enhance your chance on adapting your American life quickly.
In order to participate in this unique program, students must age between 15 to 18 years old, and have the ability to communicate in English.
Program start dates:
one academic year: Sept to June
half academic year: Jan to June
Students will be placed in different parts in the U.S, and subjects taken in schools will varies.
Documents required:
1. Transcripts
2. Passport-sized photos x 6
Program fee (for 2021/22):
Public School Program – HK$107,000
Private School Program – HK$167,000
Program fee covers:
– tuition
– housing
– meals
– textbooks
– medical insurance
– airport pickup
USA Cultural Exchange Program – Choices & study path thereafter
All our exchange students are entitled to free consultation service until they obtain their bachelor degree!
Major benefits:
Personal Development
you will build self-confidence and self-esteem which are some of the most underrated things to happen when on a cultural exchange. You have the opportunities to also improve including adaptation and flexibility. You will also get a sense of accomplishment when you complete an experience.
Make New Friends
From your host family, school, local community and other participants from all over the world.
Improve your English language skills
You will overcome shyness in speaking in English to strangers and be able to talk in the local (American) way.
Add something spicy to your profile – this is in fact one of the most important things, you will get to build human relationships with strangers in a foreign country, learn from your experiences and boost your CV. When you apply for universities and jobs in the future and you have the experience of studying in the United States on your CV, this will look amazing to prospective employers who generally look at this experience in a very positive light.
Understand yourself and understand the world
When you experience a different culture, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and those around you.
Leaving the familiar behind and plunging into the unknown shows a commitment to understanding other people and cultures; and a commitment to learning about USA in a way that books and movies can never reveal.
Cultural Exchange
When you live with a host family, you are integrated into their family and temporarily become part of it. By doing so, you become aware of the inner concerns, hopes, and dreams of a family, a neighbourhood of that city in the U.S. And with this realization comes the corresponding knowledge of what it means to belong to your own particular country and culture.
Self Developments
Participants develop leadership skills, self-confidence and a greater understanding of the complexities of the world around them.
Experience, Explore and Discover
Embark on Litz USA Cultural Exchange Program and gain knowledge about the U.S. and its language and culture. Experience building new friendships, taking responsibility for yourself, respecting differences and tolerating the beliefs of others. And while exploring and learning about the lives of others, discover new aspects of yourself.
Student sharing – “A Wonderful Experience”
“My name is Wong Ka Yan; I am F.5 graduate of CNEC Lau Wing Sang Secondary School last year. To broaden my vision and experience various kinds of cultures from different countries is my dream; I decided to go abroad for my further study to fulfill my dream after graduation. I am now studying in Bluffton Harrison High School Indiana U.S.A.
At the beginning, was very tough for me stepping from my comfort zone in Hong Kong where everything is known and easy. Immediately, I faced the language problem and issue of coping with American culture. I asked myself ※Can I will do as well as the native students?§ To the best of my ability, I took three months to adapt to the learning environment where English is the only language. Though I suffered, I learned a lot, especially the knowledge and skills that will enable me to continue my study in America. One of my experiences is that when I don’t understand something about the subject, the key importance for me is to know how to consult the tutors after class. They all understand the needs of the exchange students.
Sports play an important role in the high school. I think the aim is to help promote a physically active lifestyle for the young students. All the students participate every game which is a social scene. Cheer squads dance in beautiful and vigorous atmosphere is fantastic, and the performance of the players is breathtaking. Actually, I am not keen on sports. The participation influences me very much. Therefore, I have joined the track team. During the practices, I meet many friends. Their performances in track really astonish me.
I try to join as many activities as possible in order to extend my friendship network and immerse myself into the culture. In social activities such as parties held by the high school, I have the opportunity to meet the exchange students from Germany, Italy, Brazil, Poland, etc. They like to share with others their experience about their own countries and their views of the world. Talking with them always results in changing my perception and understanding of the world.
One story illustrates how important it is to be independent and know how to get along with people. In February my first host family faced its financial problem due to the global financial crisis. One day my host mother told me that she could not host me anymore. I felt very depressed facing the accommodation difficulty. The next day I started looking for a family to host me. It was heartwarming knowing that all my good friends were willing to help. One of my good friends said that her mother would like to host me. I have visited her family and met her mother before. After the approval of the exchange student agent, I was soon welcome kindly and moved with my second host family. Living in a new country with a culture distinct from my own makes it important to have good friends. They can help me when I am in trouble. So knowing how to get along with people and making suitable friends very important.
To my opinion studying abroad can extend my global friend network and enable me to learn knowledge that is not in the textbooks. It forces me to become independent and upgrade my communication skills. If you desire to meet young students from all over the world, experience various kinds of cultures, and broaden your vision, studying overseas is a good choice.” … Jenny Wong Ka Yan
Sources & References
Why Participate?
https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/why-participate
Adjusting to a New Culture
https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/adjusting-new-culture\
J1 Student Visa
The J-1 visa in the United States is for people who wish to take part in work-and-study-based exchange and visitor programs in the U.S. These programs are sponsored by an educational or other nonprofit institution, which must be accredited through the Exchange Visitor Program designated by the U.S. State Department.
https://www.internationalstudent.com/immigration/j1-student-visa/