Your teen is in good hands
Sending your teen abroad is a big decision – we’re here to make it feel like the right one. With decades of experience, hand-picked host families, and 24/7 support, STS helps you and your child feel confident every step of the way.
Why parents trust STS
With over 65 years of experience and more than 1.2 million students sent abroad, STS is one of the most trusted names in international education. We’ve built a strong foundation of safety, support, and cultural understanding that parents rely on – year after year.
From carefully selected host families to experienced local staff and 24/7 support, everything we do is designed to help students grow while giving parents peace of mind. As part of the Educatius Group, the world’s largest organization for high school exchange, we continue to innovate and improve, ensuring each program meets the highest standards.
Building resilience that lasts
Resilience is key to a successful exchange year. That’s why all STS students are offered access to specialized training designed to help them manage emotional challenges like homesickness, culture shock, and stress. Developed by teen psychologists and experts, this training is also available to host families and parents so everyone around the student can provide the right kind of support when it’s needed most.
Want deeper insights into what shapes resilient teens today? Download our Global Youth Resilience Index report.
Where your child will stay
If your child is staying with a host family during their exchange as most of our students do – they’ll live in a safe and supportive home. Host families provide meals, help with daily routines, and support your child’s integration into school and local life. Many students stay in touch for years and see their host family as a second home.
There’s no single type of host family. Some live in cities, others live in small towns or rural areas. Some have children and/or pets, others don’t. What they all have in common is a genuine interest in welcoming an international student and sharing everyday life.
In some cases, students may instead live on a school campus, with adult supervision and structured support in a boarding environment.
What everyday life abroad looks like
Everyday life during an exchange year is a mix of routine, support, and personal growth. Your child will attend a local high school, come home to their host family, and become part of everyday life from shared dinners to activities and school events.
They’ll make new friends, try new things, and grow more independent and confident with each week. While they’re exploring a new culture, they’re also gaining life experience, perspective, and a sense of belonging in a second home.
And throughout it all, STS and our local teams are there ready to support both your child and you every step of the way.
Got questions? Talk to us
Do you have any specific questions? Don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re here to help.
High school at home and student exchange
Most students take a break from their regular high school studies to go on exchange – turning it into a gap semester or gap year. When they return, they’ll either pick up where they left off or restart the year, depending on their school’s policy.
Whether the exchange is credited varies by country and school, so we recommend checking with your child’s school early on. If your child chooses a more academic track through our Select program, they may also have the chance to earn an internationally recognized qualification, such as the IB Diploma.
How school placement works
When your child joins a high school exchange, they’ll be placed at a school and with a host family in your chosen destination. Exactly how the placement works depends on the program. With Classic, we take care of everything – first by finding a trusted host family, and then placing your child at a suitable local high school nearby.
With Select, you and your child can be more involved in the process and choose the school yourselves – based on location, academic focus, or interests like sports, arts, or science. Once the school is selected, we match your child with a local host family that lives nearby.
High school exchange All you need to know
Get our brochure packed with tips, destinations, programs and prices.
Which support do your child get during the exchange
Throughout the exchange, your child will be supported by a local contact person – someone who lives nearby and knows the community well. She or he is there to guide, check in regularly, and help with everything from school to social life and settling in with the host family.
In addition to monthly check-ins the contact person is your child’s go-to person for questions, advice, or if anything unexpected comes up. STS also offers 24/7 support, so help is always just a call away.
This is how you and your child apply
Everything begins with a free consultation, where we walk you through the different program options and answer your questions. Sometimes more than one meeting is needed. Once you and your child feel ready, you move forward by selecting a destination and program. From there, we guide you through the application process step by step.
We assist with all practical parts – forms, documents, and preparation – and ensure you always know what’s next. Once your child’s application is approved by the school authorities and our local partners, the exchange can begin.
Aiducatius – part of something bigger
When your child goes on exchange with STS, they’re not just seeing the world – they’re helping shape it. As part of Educatius Group, we support Aiducatius, a nonprofit initiative funding meaningful education and environmental projects in Gambia and Tanzania.
Every STS student contributes. That means:
Helping kids in Gambia attend school with books, uniforms, and supplies
Supporting tree-planting and conservation projects in Tanzania
Giving children with disabilities access to education and independence
Aiducatius – you’re part of something bigger
When you go on exchange year with STS, you’re not just seeing the world – you’re helping shape it. As part of Educatius Group, we support Aiducatius, a nonprofit initiative funding meaningful education and environmental projects in Gambia and Tanzania.
Every STS student contributes. That means:
🌍 Helping kids in Gambia attend school with books, uniforms, and supplies
🌱 Supporting tree-planting and conservation projects in Tanzania
💛 Giving children with disabilities access to education and independence
STS at a glance
Great legacy – founded in
1958
20+
destinations
24/7
support
