Tips for parents
Dear parent,
Welcome to STS and congratulations on making the fantastic decision to send your teen on a life-changing high school exchange program with STS! This journey is all about embracing a new culture, improving language skills, building lifelong friendships, and creating memories they’ll cherish forever.
At STS, we work closely with our placement partners to ensure that our programs meet the highest standards of quality. As a parent, you play a key role in helping your teen prepare for this exciting adventure. Discussing cultural differences, managing expectations, and providing support will help them transition smoothly. The below step-by-step guide offers useful tips to prepare you and your teen for this journey.
Thank you for trusting STS with your teen’s exchange journey.
We’re here to support you and your family every step of the way!
Tips for parents
Tips for parents
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents Tips for parents Dear parent,Welcome to STS and congratulations on making the fantastic decision to send your teen on a life-changing high school exchange program with STS! This journey is all about embracing a new culture, improving language skills, building…
1. Learn about the destination
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 1. Learn about the destination Understanding your teen’s host country will help them adapt more easily. Research the region they will be living in; even within a single country, there can be significant differences between urban and rural areas or…
2. Packing and departure
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 2. Packing and departure The departure date will be decided once the placement – host family and school – is confirmed and finalized. With international luggage restrictions, help your teen to pack wisely. Typically, one suitcase and one carry-on are…
3. Managing finances
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 3. Managing finances Teaching your teen financial independence is a crucial part of their exchange experience. Budgeting: Start teaching budgeting skills before departure. Show them how to withdraw small amounts of cash at a time and discuss ATM fees and partnerships…
4. Communication during the exchange
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 4. Communication during the exchange Staying in touch is important, but so is giving your teen the space to immerse themselves in their new environment. Balance contact: Limit calls to once a week or every other week. Short calls (30-60 minutes)…
5. School
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 5. School School life abroad can vary significantly from what your teen is used to. Here are some key considerations: School subjects and size: Mandatory and optional subjects vary by country and may vary even within the country. Schools come in…
6. Host family
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 6. Host family Your teen’s host family will play an important role in their exchange experience. Here are some things to keep in mind: Chores: Your teen will be expected to contribute to household chores as a regular family member. Family…
7. Free time and interests
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 7. Free time and interests Encouraging your teen to explore their hobbies and interests abroad can make their experience even more rewarding: Favorite sports: While STS tries to accommodate interests, it cannot guarantee specific sports. Our High School Select program offers…
8. Visits
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 8. Visits Students are not allowed to return home during the program, except in rare circumstances. Visiting your teen can be a wonderful experience, but it’s essential to follow program guidelines to avoid disrupting their adjustment. Timing: STS recommends waiting until…
9. Letting go and post exchange adjustment
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 9. Letting go and Post-exchange adjustment Letting go Letting go is one of the hardest but most rewarding parts of the exchange experience. Trust your teen to navigate their new world independently. Problem-solving: Encourage your teen to handle challenges themselves.…
10 things to bring on an exchange year
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents 10 things to bring on an exchange year Remember to pack as light as possible. In a whole year abroad, you will end up getting lots of new things that you probably want to be able to bring home with…