7. Free time and interests

Tips for parents

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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…

1. Learn about the destination

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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…

2. Packing and departure

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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,…

3. Managing finances

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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…

4. Communication during the exchange

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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…

5. School

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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…

6. Host family

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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…

7. Free time and interests

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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.…

8. Visits

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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…

9. Letting go and post exchange adjustment

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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…

10 things to bring on an exchange year

Home » Terms and conditions » My page High School Exchange » Tips for parents » 7. Free time and interests 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…