High School in Australia (Ages 15-18)

Attending high school in Australia while living with a host family is the best way for teen participants to discover Australian culture. Exchange students accepted to CCI's High School Abroad Program are immersed in Australian culture through living with a well-screened host family and attending a local high school in Australia. For decades, the cross-cultural homestay has been considered the best educational vehicle for the development of real international understanding.

School
Since Australia is situated in the Southern Hemisphere, the academic year coincides with the calendar year: it starts in the end of January and finishes in December. Core subjects in Australian schools are math, science and English, but a variety of elective courses. Australian schools are challenging and demanding; expect to study and do your homework! Schools often organize field trips during holidays. Schools typically require a uniform.

Locations
Exchange students are placed in safe communities all around Australia, typically near coastal, urban states. It is important to be flexible about which town you’re placed in since we are unable to take your location preferences into account. Our priority is to identify a host family and community that is the best match for you.

Extracurricular Activities
Many schools offer an extensive co-curricular program providing students with the opportunity to participate individually or as a team member in many school-based activities including music bands, drama productions, sports and adventure activities. All students are encouraged to participate.

Accommodation and Meals
Each host family agrees to provide its international "son or daughter" with meals and his or her own bed. Just as in the U.S., every family is different. You may share a room with a host sibling or have your own room. You may have younger, older or no host siblings. Host families in Australia receive a small remuneration to offset the expenses of hosting.

Your host family will expect you to help with household responsibilities. As you can see, host families represent all walks of life. Host families do not want or expect a "boarder," but rather a new friend and family member. You may find your host parents in Australia quite protective, but as long as you stay within family rules, your host parents will be flexible. Most parents work outside of the home; expect a busy, lively household where mealtime is the chance to catch up with everyone’s daily activities.

Independent Travel and Visits from Family
Family members or friends are welcome to visit the exchange student in Australia once their program with CCI is complete.
Visiting home or receiving visits from home during the course of a progress like this is extremely disruptive to the program of the student. Such visits very often cause the student to feel homesickness afterward, which means going through the challenging adjustment period experienced at the beginning of the program again after the visit. These reactions to visits are hard on both exchange students and host families. Because we truly wish for all of our students and host families to have positive experiences, we seek to minimize activities that threaten to detract from the positive experience meant to take place between exchange students and host families such as visits to or from home.

As such, receiving visits from friends or family during your program is not permitted.

Traveling independently outside the host community is not allowed unless it is with an adult chaperone and is approved by the host family, natural parents of the student, partner organization and CCI. Exploring your local host community after class or on the weekends with friends or your host family is encouraged, as it is a great way to soak in Australian culture. Your host family is a great resource to find out about any interesting events going on in the town. We only ask that students find a balance between spending time with new friends and with their host family.

Academic Credit Transfer
CCI will enroll you in a public high school in Australia, and documentation of school work done overseas will be provided. You are responsible for coordinating any transfer of credits from your high school in Australia to your high school in the U.S. If you have questions or difficulties, CCI's staff may be able to assist you in this process. Please note that we can not guarantee that your American school will accept your studies abroad as credit. You should see your guidance counselor to determine what credits you might need to take outside of your studies abroad to ensure that you graduate high school on time.

Local Support
Your host family will be a wonderful source of support and advice during your time abroad. Additionally, you will have what is sometimes called a local representative or a counselor. This person will be an adult outside of your host family who will support you throughout your program. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your local representative. He or she is there for you!

Orientation
Before you depart the U.S., you will need to learn as much as possible about the customs and culture of the country where you will be living. This will enable you to settle in more easily within your host family and community. Upon acceptance to the program, CCI will send you orientation, culture shock, and host country information, so that you can familiarize yourself with your destination. CCI’s National Office or local staff will also provide you with a thorough orientation before your departure. You should also read as much as possible about your host country and practice your language skills as much as you can!

Transportation
Along with your host family information, CCI will notify you of your arrival city, travel dates, and any travel arrangements that need to be made. Airfare to Australia is your responsibility, and you will need to send CCI a copy of your itinerary to arrange your arrival transfer.

Depending upon the location of your host community, a representative or your host family may be able to meet you at the airport and take you directly to your new home. In other cases, you may be met at the airport and taken to the nearest train or bus station in order to arrive to your host community, where you will be picked up by your family.

Visas
A student visa is required and participants will apply through an online system of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Up-to-date information can be found at http://www.immi.gov.au/. Upon acceptance to the program, CCI will inform you of the general requirements and instructions in order to get a passport and visa. However, all passport and visa arrangements are the responsibility of the participant and need to be made according to the Department’s instructions, as they are the final authority on all visa matters.

Semester Program Options:
Fall Semester: July to December
Spring Semester: January to July

Academic Year:
July to June

Application Deadlines
Fall Semester or Academic Year: March 15
Early Bird Discount - $300: January 2

Spring Semester: September 15
Early Bird Discount - $300: June 1

Requirements
Applicants must have an interest in other cultures and be willing to participate as fully as possible in the host country's culture and language, in school, and in host family activities. Other desirable characteristics include: flexibility, curiosity, motivation, and a good sense of humor. When applying for CCI’s High School Abroad Program, you should be in good academic standing and be in good mental and physical health. In addition:

• Applicants must be between 15 and 18 years
• Applicants should possess a high school cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 / 4.0
• Recommendations will also assist in determining acceptance

Program Costs 

 

Included	Not Included
Lodging	Airfare/Visa fees
Full Board (3 meals/day)	Transportation to/from school
Medical/Accident Insurance	Phone cards/cell phone
Local Coordinator	Uniforms, books, materials
24 Emergency Staff	Souvenirs
Pre-departure and arrival Orientation	Incidentals

Fees may be paid by personal check, money order or credit card.