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 between banks.
- Prepaid cards: Get a prepaid Visa or Mastercard and test it before departure. Having two cards can be helpful in case one is lost.
- Host family expenses: Encourage your teen to ask their host family about expected expenses such as school fees, sports participation costs, or transportation fees.
- Travel opportunities: Discuss your financial limits for additional trips with the host family, school, or STS.
Tips for parents
Tips for parents
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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,…
1. Learn about the destination
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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…
2. Packing and departure
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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…
3. Managing finances
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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…
4. Communication during the exchange
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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.…
5. School
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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…
6. Host family
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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…
7. Free time and interests
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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…
8. Visits
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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.…
9. Letting go and post exchange adjustment
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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…
10 things to bring on an exchange year
Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 3. Managing finances 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…