How does it work?
This program gives students the opportunity to improve their second language skills through linguistic and cultural immersion. Participants in this exchange alternate between hosting a partner from another culture in their home and school, and travelling to live with their partner and study at their partner’s school.
Depending on the destination, the exchange lasts between 4 and 6 months, with the time divided equally between each exchange location. An important part of this exchange is that the paired students live in the same location at the same time.
Where can I go?
Students can participate in an exchange in Germany, Japan, Spain, Mexico or Quebec.
What is the cost?
Families are responsible for the costs associated with hosting the exchange partner. Families are also expected to cover their son’s or daughter’s travel expenses and provide them with enough spending money for their time away. Students participating in the Quebec exchange are eligible for a full travel subsidy. Students participating in the Japanese exchange are eligible for the T. Mikuriya Award.
Who can apply?
This exchange program is open to all high school students studying German, Japanese, Spanish or French. Students normally apply during their Grade 10 year to participate in the exchange during their Grade 11 year. They normally have completed the 20-level of the appropriate language or its equivalent prior to departure.
How do I apply?
Interested students should ensure that their completed application is sent to the Alberta Teachers’ Association by late February of the preceding school year they are applying for. For example, you must apply in February 2012 to participate in an exchange during the 2012/13 school year.
Before completing the application form below, students and parents should be aware of and agree to adhere to the program guidelines.
Application Part I [filled out and submitted by the student]
The application consists of two parts. Part I is filled out and submitted by the applicant. See application instructions – Part I (Student). Students should save a copy of their application for their own records. Students also need to print a copy of their application and give it to their language teacher (he or she will need it to complete Part II of the application form). Part II is filled out and submitted by the applicant’s liaison teacher. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that his/her liaison teacher submits Part II of the application as well as a letter of recommendation and the required commitment form.
Application Part I - Student Application Form
Application Part II [filled out and submitted by the student’s language teacher]
Part II of the application involved interviewing the applicant (at school) and his/her family (in the home) to ensure that the applicant is suitable for a cross-cultural exchange and that the family would be able to comfortably host an exchange student. Liaison teachers also submit a letter of recommendation for the student. See Application Instructions before completing the forms below.
Application Part II - Liaison Teacher Student and Family Interview Form
Application Part III - Liaison Teacher and School Commitment Form
Selection & Matching – Once an applicant’s entire application has been received by the Alberta Teachers’ Association, the student exchange coordinator will review the application to determine whether to admit the applicant to the program. Once the applicant is admitted, the coordinator will work with our partner organizations in Germany, Japan, Mexico, Spain or Quebec to propose matches. Matches are based upon similar interests and lifestyles. This process takes place over a period of months, generally from March to May.
Approval in Alberta – If a proposed match is found, the proposal is sent to the applicant’s school and family for approval. The applicant and their family may refuse the match if they do not consider it appropriate.
Approval abroad – The exchange partner’s family is given the same opportunity of refusal as the Alberta family. Therefore, an exchange is not considered to be final until all parties have agreed to the match. Applicants will be notified by email, and subsequently by mail, when their exchange has been finalized. Shortly thereafter, students will receive a confirmation package outlining the next steps in preparing for the exchange.
