5 dingen om te doen tijdens je jaar in de VS

Als je voor een jaar naar de VS gaat, kom je meer te weten over een andere cultuur en leer je nieuwe kanten van jezelf kennen. Ook is er heel veel te zien en te doen. Naast trips naar Californië en Hawaii voor onze uitwisselingsscholieren in de VS, hebben we nog vijf tips om te doen tijdens je verblijf hier.

Bezoek bekende bezienswaardigheden en steden

Grijp je kans en breng een bezoek aan de grootste, beroemdste stad in de VS: New York! Bekijk het Vrijheidsbeeld, Central Park, de 9/11 Memorial en het Empire State Building. Steden als Miami en Washington, D.C. staan misschien ook op je must-visit list.

Kerst in New York

Je kent het vast wel uit de films: kleurrijke etalages vol glitter, rode strikken op lantaarnpalen, kerstkoren op straat en besneeuwde bomen in Central Park. Je kunt alles nu in het echt zien! Kerstshoppen en kerstetalages zijn een echte belevenis tijdens de feestdagen. Wandel over Fifth Avenue en bekijk hoe bekende warenhuizen als Macy’s en Saks Fifth Avenue elkaar proberen af te troeven met de mooiste kerstversieringen.

Ga naar een American football wedstrijd

American football is de nationale sport in de VS die alle Amerikanen verbindt. Ga mee als supporter van je vrienden op het veld en bekijk hoe cheerleaders het team aanmoedigen.

Probeer iets nieuws

Grijp de kans om iets nieuws te proberen tijdens je verblijf in de VS. Ga sandboarden op de hoogste zandduinen van Noord-Amerika in Colorado, ga hoefijzerwerpen en gratis popcorn eten tijdens Nebraska’s Popcorn Days of ga ronddwalen in de enorme boekhandel Powell’s City of Books in Oregon.

Bezoek minstens één van de 63 nationale parken en de VS

In de VS werd in 1872 het eerste nationale park geopend. Nu zijn er 63 nationale parken verspreid over 30 staten. Ieder park heeft zijn eigen bijzonderheden, maar hier volgt een aantal van de mooiste parken om te bezoeken. Welke lijken jou het mooiste?

• Yosemite National Park in Californië, met zijn Instagram-waardige natuur staat boven aan de lijst van de mooiste nationale parken in de VS. In Yosemite kun je kamperen, hiken en de hoogste waterval van Noord-Amerika bekijken. Vergeet uitzichtpunt Tunnel View niet!
• Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is een van beroemdste nationale parken in de VS en één van de zeven natuurlijke wereldwonderen. Dit nationale park omvat honderden wandelpaden van diverse afstanden tussen de roestkleurige rotsen. Je kunt er ook raften op de Colorado rivier.
• Acadia National Park, Maine: Ben je aan de Oostkust? Dan is Acadia National Park, aan de kust in Maine, een absolute must. In dit park vind je granieten bergen, veel dieren en uitgestrekte bossen. Een hoogtepunt is een zonsopgang op Cadillac Mountain. Als je er in het najaar bent, is dit park bijzonder mooi vanwege alle herfstkleuren.

Meer weten over studeren in het buitenland?

Start je reis vandaag! Lees meer over de VS als bestemming voor je jaar in het buitenland of meld je aan voor een informatiebijeenkomst! Als je vragen hebt, kun je altijd contact met ons opnemen.

New add-on: Special Wish

It’s almost Christmas – the season of wishes! What better time to introduce our brand-new concept: Special Wish?

Do you have a specific dream for your exchange? Maybe there’s a particular area you’d love to live in, a favorite subject you’d like to study, or a sport you’d like to continue or try out. Or maybe it’s all of the above – or something else entirely! Whatever your wish, share it with us, and we’ll do our very best to make it come true. The only limit? Your imagination.

We can’t guarantee 100% that every wish will be possible, but we will give it our all. If we can make it happen, an additional fee will apply; if not, no extra charge.

The Special Wish add-on is available for our programs in:
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

Want to know more? Contact your local STS office today!

Aiducatius Creativite Internship

Twee weken in Afrika. Een levenslange impact.

Meld je aan voor de Aiducatius Creativiteitsstage 2026 in Gambia.

Je hoeft geen geweldige kunstenaar te zijn – we zijn op zoek naar mensen die creativiteit in welke vorm dan ook tot leven brengen. Misschien ben je handig, goed met kinderen, sterk in fotografie of video, vind je het leuk om activiteiten te leiden, of gewoon nieuwsgierig en enthousiast om buiten je comfortzone te treden. Het belangrijkste is dat je bereid bent om je talent in te zetten om een positief verschil te maken in een gemeenschap die ons moederbedrijf Educatius sinds 2009 ondersteunt.

Er worden twee scholieren of alumni (van STS of andere partnerorganisaties van Educatius) geselecteerd, samen met één docent en één lokale coördinator of lid van een gastgezin. Samen werk je aan het plannen en geven van creatieve activiteiten op de St. Martin's School in Kartong, leer je lokale technieken van ambachtslieden en ervaar je een warme, gastvrije cultuur. Je verkent het dorp, bezoekt nabijgelegen gemeenschappen en ziet een deel van de wereld dat de meeste mensen nooit te zien krijgen.

Meld je tussen 15 december 2025 en 31 januari 2026 aan voor de kans om deel te nemen aan deze levensveranderende ervaring.

Wie kan zich aanmelden en hoe?

• Je moet scholier, alumnus, docent, LC of lid van een gastgezin zijn bij STS, Educatius of een van onze strategische partners.
• Je moet eind juni 2026 beschikbaar zijn voor de volledige stage van twee weken.
• Scholieren en alumni moeten op het moment van de stage tussen de 18 en 23 jaar oud zijn (hierover kan niet worden onderhandeld).
• Je moet bereid zijn om in eenvoudige omstandigheden te leven met beperkte moderne voorzieningen.
• Je moet bereid zijn om creatieve sessies te leiden met scholieren in Gambia — en ook van hen te leren.
• Dien een aanvraag in waarin je aangeeft waarom je wilt gaan en welke activiteiten je zou willen organiseren.
• Deel waarom jij gekozen zou moeten worden met #aiducatiusinternship.
• Meld je aan tussen 15 december 2025 en 31 januari 2026.

De winnaars worden eind februari 2026 gecontacteerd en bekendgemaakt op sociale media.

Een hartverwarmend avontuur wacht op je.

Wat wij bieden

Vliegtickets en vervoerirfare and transportation

Vluchten van en naar Gambia en al het lokale vervoer.

Accommodatie en maaltijden

Twee weken eenvoudige, autentieke huisvesting, dagelijkse maaltijden en lokale bezienswaardigheden.

Ziektekostenverzekering en begeleidingealth insurance and guidance

Dekking tijdens de reis, plus begeleiding bij visa en vereiste vaccinaties.

Een culturele uitwisseling die je nooit zult vergeten

Herinneringen en vriendschappen die nog lang na afloop van de stage blijven bestaan.

Over Gambia

Gambia — vaak de Smiling Coast of Africa genoemd — is een West-Afrikaans land met 1,5 miljoen inwoners, rijk aan talen, tradities en artistiek erfgoed. Kartong is een landelijk dorp ver van toeristische gebieden, maar bekend om zijn warmte en gastvrijheid.

Er is groeiende steun voor jonge kunstenaars in het hele land, waarbij de lokale creativiteit wordt versterkt door toerisme en internationale partnerschappen. Sinds 2009 heeft Aiducatius duizenden scholieren in Kartong geholpen toegang te krijgen tot onderwijs en nieuwe kansen.

Wat wordt er van alle stagiaires verwacht

• Werk samen als één team om creatieve activiteiten van tevoren te plannen, inclusief materialen, benodigdheden en ideeën voor in de klas.
• Overleg met leraren van de St. Martin's School om activiteiten af te stemmen op lokale behoeften en de leeftijd van de leerlingen.
• Leid of mede-leid workshops voor leerlingen van de kleuterschool tot de middelbare school.
• Blijf open, nieuwsgierig en respectvol terwijl je je een weg baant door een nieuwe cultuur en het dagelijks leven in Kartong.
• Steun elkaar, of je nu scholier, alumnus, leraar, LC of lid van een gastgezin bent.
• Leg je reis vast op sociale media en deel deze om anderen te inspireren.
• Vertegenwoordig Educatius en onze uitwisselingsgemeenschap met trots.

Projecten met impact op de gemeenschap

Stagiaires nemen ook deel aan gemeenschapsprojecten die Kartong buiten de klas ondersteunen. Eerdere groepen hebben meegeholpen met het schoonmaken van het strand en hebben samengewerkt met een ngo die verzameld plastic omzet in kralen en andere kunstmaterialen. Ze hebben geholpen met het bouwen en vullen van een kleine gemeenschapsbibliotheek met gedoneerde boeken.

Verschillende deelnemers namen de ervaring op onverwachte manieren mee naar huis. Een docent schreef een toneelstuk geïnspireerd op Gambiaanse verhalen en produceerde het samen met haar leerlingen. Een LC organiseerde een inzamelingsactie waarmee nieuwe bureaus voor docenten van de St. Martin's School werden betaald. Deze projecten laten zien hoe kleine acties kunnen uitgroeien tot iets zinvols, zowel lokaal als thuis.

Meld je aan voor de Aiducatius-stage

Klaar om je creativiteit te gebruiken om echt verschil te maken in Gambia?

De aanmelding is gesloten

Why choose Spain for the high school exchange

Imagine spending a year in Spain as a high school exchange student. It’s a chance to live like a local, fully experiencing life in Spain with good weather, a rich history and culture, great food, nice beaches, small lovely villages, and big vibrant cities. All while you’re still a teenager.

You’ll be surrounded by the Spanish language every day —a language that is the fourth largest language in the world, spoken by 580 million people, and the official language in 21 countries! Becoming fluent in Spanish opens up countless opportunities in your future studies and career.

But the benefits go beyond language Imagine being 14 to 18 years old and waking up each day in a country where life moves a bit differently. Living with a Spanish family, you will discover the Spanish way of living from the inside with lively family dinners, local traditions and festivals, and of course, the national obsession with football. Surely, you’ll soon learn how to enjoy tapas, siesta, and flamenco music!

The lovely Spanish weather makes outdoor activities the best. There is usually plenty to choose from. And not only summer sports like football and golf, when summer ends, you can even go skiing in some parts of the country! Want to try something typically Spanish? Sign up for a flamenco dance course!

Living abroad without your natural family is a big adventure, but it’s one that will give you a second home, friendships, and memories that will last far beyond your exchange. It will make you more independent, confident, and open to new perspectives. Spaniards are famously warm, social, and talkative, and even if that’s not really who you are today, that’s who you will become after living with your Spanish host family!

Good to know: No previous Spanish needed – just an open and curious mind!

Read more about going on an exchange year to Spain.

Read our student stories about being on an exchange year in Spain

How to prepare for your high school exchange!

Going on an exchange year is one of the bravest – and most exciting – things you can do as a teenager. You’ll make new friends, discover a new culture, and learn a lot about yourself.

But how do you actually prepare for something this big? Here are a few quick tips to get you started:

1. Learn the basics of the language
   It’s so worth it and helps more than you think. Start with downloading a language training app. Then switch your phone settings and watch films in your new language.
   Planning to go to an English, Spanish, Italian or German-speaking country? Join one of our online courses! Here you also get to meet other future exchange students – a great way to connect! Read more on the destination pages.
2. Learn about the country and make a scrap book
   Read up on the culture, history, school system, daily life, etc. Start a notebook or a scrapbook and add photos! Also, why not start writing a bucket list?
3. Student takeovers on Instagram
   Every week, one of our current students shows their daily life on Instagram Stories. Ask all your questions and get answers from the real pros here!
4. Lovisa’s STS Hacks
   Check out or alumna Lovisa’s best tips here!

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered

As your departure gets closer, we’ll share movie tips, packing guides, music inspiration, and more. Before take-off, you and your parents will be invited to a Pre-Departure Meeting. And last but not least – the Welcome Camp will give you the final prep and let you kick off the adventure together with other exchange students.

How to choose your exchange destination

Thinking about going on an exchange year? That’s awesome! But with 21 amazing destinations to choose from, how do you even start deciding where to go?

Don’t worry – we’ve got your back. Here are 5 questions to help you figure it out:

1. What kind of experience are you dreaming of?
   Do you want to surf after school, cheer at Friday night football games, or drink hot chocolate in a cozy village with a snowy view? Think about what your everyday life could look like.
2. Which language do you want to learn?
   Want to level up your English in the UK, and get that nice British accent? Learn French in France or Canada? Or maybe learn Spanish in Costa Rica? Living abroad is the best way to become fluent in a language! With STS you learn 12 different languages (plus a few local ones like Gaelic and Te Reo).
3. Do you prefer city vibes? The great outdoors? Social culture?
   Do you love the buzz of a city or feel more at home in a smaller town with calm surroundings? Do you enjoy hiking, skiing, or canooing? Are you at your best in a highly social and family intense culture? Everyone likes different things. Your destination choice should fit your personality.
4. What school system suits you best?
   All countries have different school systems. Some countries focus more on academics, others on creativity, sports, or independence. Maybe you want to have structured classes, interactive classes or more freedom to choose your subjects?
5. How far out of your comfort zone do you want to go?
   Are you ready to do something completely new – maybe a culture, climate or lifestyle that’s the total opposite of what you're used to? Or would you rather explore something a bit more familiar and focus on the new language?

There’s no right or wrong when deciding on your high school exchange destination. Your exchange will be an unforgettable experience either way!

Prepare yourself with our language courses

Going on an exchange year also means speaking a different language than you are used to. It can be nerve-wracking at first, but don't worry! When you least expect it, you'll be speaking and dreaming in your new language. But to make you feel more comfortable, we've developed language courses that will prepare you for your exchange year even before you leave.

The courses are online and you will first take a language test to be placed in the right group. The length of the courses varies slightly depending on the language course you take. We currently offer preparatory language courses in English, German, Italian and Spanish. Find out more at each destination.

News! Now even more choices when you go on exchange to the USA

Previously, we at STS have offered two different programs to those who have chosen to do their exchange year in the USA. Classic and Select. But now we have two new programs, which means that we also offer Academic Exchange and Boarding Exchange.

Classic is our most popular program for going on an exchange year to the USA. It means you will live and go to school somewhere in the US. This is perfect for those who are open to a genuine experience filled with adventure and surprises!

High School Select is our most flexible exchange program where you can choose where in the US you want to live and which school you want to attend. You can also choose from specific school subjects, sports or other interests that are important to you during your exchange year.

Our new program Academic Exchange is like a High School Select but in a slightly smaller version. You get to choose whether you want to go to a public school or a private school and you can choose, for example, a sport, a specific state or a specific subject that you want to study, but we will choose the school for you based on your chosen preference.

Boarding Exchange is exactly what it sounds like! You attend a US boarding school. We place you in one of the 60 different boarding schools we work with around the country. This also means that you will live at the school and not with a host family.

Find out more about our different options and what it means to do an exchange year in the US.

How to learn a new language fast

Moving to a new country and immersing yourself in a different language is one of the most exciting (and sometimes nerve-wracking!) parts of an exchange year. But don’t worry –learning a language fast is possible, and it can be a lot of fun!

Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you become confident in your new language in no time.

1. Start simple
   Don’t overwhelm yourself with complicated texts right away. Instead, start with easy content like children’s books and common words. Learn basic verbs, question words, numbers, weekdays, and short phrases—these will be your foundation for everyday conversations
2. Practice every day
   Consistency is key! Spending just 15–30 minutes a day practicing is much more effective than cramming once a week. Use language apps and why not label objects around your home with post-its!
3. Make language learning part of your daily routine
   Little things like setting your phone to and start writing your to-do lists in your new language will expose you to new words constantly.
4. Surround yourself with the language
   The more exposure you get, the faster you’ll improve. A great trick is to watch series and movies you already know, but in your new language. Since you’re familiar with the storyline, you’ll pick up words and expressions naturally. More tips: Follow influencers, listen to music, and play your favorite game in the new language.
5. Start speaking – even if it feels awkward
   Speaking is the fastest way to learn! If talking to classmates feels intimidating at first, start with your host family or younger kids – they’ll be patient and happy to help. Even talking to yourself, mentioning the things you do (“putting on my jacket”, “eating a sandwich”), or thinking in the language can help build confidence.
6. Say yes to every opportunity
   Join a school club, sign up for a sport, or simply start chatting with locals. The best way to learn is by doing, and real-life interactions will help you improve faster than any textbook.
7. Enjoy the process!
   Learning a language isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Celebrate small wins, laugh at your mistakes, and enjoy the thrill of expressing yourself in a whole new way!

What not to do:

🚫 focus too much on grammar rules – learning by doing is more effective
🚫 rely only on textbooks – real conversations will take you much further

An exchange year is the ultimate language hack! When you’re surrounded by the language every day, you’ll improve faster than you ever thought possible. Ready for the adventure?

Stay tuned! Soon you will be able to take part in our language courses to prepare you even better for your exchange year

Why you should go on exchange to Germany

About 130 million people speak German as a first or second language, and you could be one of them! Germany has an excellent (and free) school and education system and attracts people from all over the world with its cultural offers, unique festivals and diverse landscapes. In addition, there is an interest in international relations and different cultures in this open and diverse country. So you can expect to feel welcome!

Germany is the largest country in the EU in terms of population and economy. And it really has it all. In addition to its high standard of living, you'll find a great variety of regional cultures and contrasting landscapes. Did you know Germany has coastlines with two seas and 77 islands? That it has 45 mountain ranges including the Alps? That you can hike volcanoes and swim in crater lakes?

Explore a cool music scene that ranges from Classical music to Deutschrap, Indie and Techno. Festivals throughout the year will let you delve into traditional events like Carnival, Oktoberfest and Christmas markets and showcase the international film, theater, literature and art scene. In Germany you will find cozy villages next to exciting cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Leipzig, Frankfurt or Cologne. This cosmopolitan country is also a center of technology and innovation.

The quality of German education is world-renowned and inclusive. School and university are free and teaching is interactive. Students’ opinions matter and discussions and debates are an important part of the school day.

The most common school type of German high school for exchange students to attend is called Gymnasium. Depending on your age, your grades and your knowledge of the German language you will probably be placed in a grade 10 or 11. German teachers appreciate it when you are active in class. Raise your hand, ask questions and participate in discussions. It will give your German language skills a real boost!

Germans are famously active. They love to travel and explore, enjoy the outdoors on hikes, bicycle tours or camping trips. German teenagers typically have at least one hobby like sports or music that they pursue after school in one of the many clubs aka “Verein” that exist in even the smallest villages.

Of course, you can also spend your free time in a café, cinema or shopping mall with your friends. But here's a tip for your free time in Germany: Join a club! It's a great way to make friends and have fun after school. Do you like art, dance, music or theater? Ask your host family to help you find the Verein that suits you best.

What does it mean to go on an exchange year

Going on an exchange year at a young age has many benefits. It's not just language skills and self-confidence that increase. Problem-solving, teamwork and making new friends are also on the list. What's more, you'll make great and unforgettable memories for the rest of your life!

Imagine being able to speak another language fluently! Imagine all the people you can talk to and understand, what an adventure it will be! You will experience so many things and learn so much, not only at school, but also with your new friends and your host family. And when the time comes to look for a job, language skills are often in high demand.

Going on an exchange year simply means that you will::

• Take a break from your studies here at home
• Study at a high school in another country
• Live with a host family that will become your second home
• Get to know a completely new culture and make new friends for life
• When you get home, you continue your studies

Many people want to study abroad at some point in their lives, and becoming an exchange student at a young age is a great option. An exchange year usually lasts 10 months, which is a full school year, but you can also go for 5 months and in some cases for just 3 months. It's up to you and what suits you best.

Get in touch with us at STS. We will help you find the best exchange year for you. Maybe it's the USA with the classic yellow buses and prom night, or maybe it's within Europe like Spain, Germany or Italy? We also offer exchange years to Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Argentina. In addition, many times you can wish if you want to practice a special sport or study a special subject.

The choice is yours! Sign up for an information meeting or call us right away!

Host family for life

24 years ago, I was on exchange with STS in Cape Town/South Africa. Today, as a local coordinator, I support exchange students and host families in Germany. And I'm still close with my host mom and dad. I have just visited them again in Cape Town!

At the age of 16, I spent my year abroad in Cape Town with Mr. and Mrs. Stoops. My host parents don't have any children of their own, so I was one of several exchange students they (and their dog!) hosted. Back then, friends used to ask: “Which country are you going to?” because South Africa as a nation was not yet well known among students. Or they warned me about being eaten by lions. But that didn’t put me off.

Of course, there were some issues during my stay. My host father was also my English teacher. Not only did I once get reprimanded for not doing my homework, but my classmates, with whom I became friends, were initially reluctant to come to my house and meet their teacher in their free time. But over time, it became obvious that my host family and me were made for each other. We still use the terms “host mom” and “host dad” to this day.

My year in Cape Town just flew by. The school system (including a school uniform) was exciting, and school life even more so. The national sports of rugby and cricket are played in school teams and their leagues, and once a year the schools even compete in singing performances led by cheerleaders. I tried my hand at cricket, but our team came in last in the school league. We had lots of braais (the Afrikaans word for barbecue), and I found the bilingualism in the Cape Rainbow Nation very exciting. Being involved in the church choir and orchestra helped me personally, as did the numerous excursions and field trips. The safari to Kruger National Park offered by STS was simply fantastic.

But every year comes to an end. For host mom, host dad and me, it was clear that we would see each other again. I visited my host parents a few more times in this most beautiful place in the world. But they also saw me in Germany: the first time for my graduation ball in 2003. It deepened our relationship even more to show them around my home country as a tour guide and to visit various German soccer stadiums with host dad. In 2007, a friend and I spent another three months with my host parents in Cape Town, and in 2010 I visited them with my boyfriend. Despite the great distance (but little to no time difference!), we stayed in touch over the years. My host dad actually walked me down the aisle in 2015 and they visited again 2021. In 2022 we reunited in Cape Town with my family of four.

This April I saw them again in my South African home, where I just reach into a kitchen cupboard straight after arriving and almost blindly grab a glass. We had a quiet time, both of them are retired now and I simply enjoyed the peace and nice weather. Of course, I also explored this indescribably beautiful country again.

I am just so grateful to have found these people. Here's to hopefully many more wonderful moments near and far!