High School in Belgium (Ages 15-18)

A high school program in Belgium is a unique opportunity to experience the Belgian culture and lifestyle as locals do.

School
Education is a priority to Belgians, and schools are academically rigorous. As an exchange student in Belgium, you may be placed in a public or a private school. There are different core courses that you will be able to choose from, such as math, science or the humanities.

Locations
Exchange students are placed mainly in small towns or the countryside. You may choose a placement in either the French speaking region in the south or the Dutch speaking region of the north. No matter where you are placed, you will find your Belgian host family will welcome you warmly. Like their Dutch neighbors, Belgians are fond of cycling and most own bikes, so you will probably do some biking during your stay.

Extracurricular Activities 
Exchange students are able to participate in a variety of sports, organizations, and clubs both at school and in the community.

Accommodation and Meals
Students accepted to Greenheart Travel's High School Program in Belgium have profound opportunities for cultural immersion by living with a well-screened host family while attending a Belgian high school. For decades, the cross-cultural homestay has been considered the best educational vehicle for the development of real international understanding.

Each volunteer 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.

Your host family will expect you to help with household responsibilities, and family members may be more traditional in what they think are appropriate gender roles. 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.

Independent Travel and Visits from Family
Family members or friends are welcome to visit the exchange student in Belgium once their program with Greenheart Travel is complete.
Visiting home or receiving visits from home during the course of a progress like this is extremely disruptive to the program of an exchange 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 chaperon and is approved by the host family, natural parents of the student, partner organization and Greenheart Travel. 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 the local culture or practice new language skills. 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 their host family.

Academic Credit Transfer
Greenheart Travel will enroll you in a public high school in Belgium, and documentation of school work done overseas will be provided. You are responsible for coordinating any transfer of credits from your high school in Belgium to your high school in the U.S. If you have questions or difficulties, Greenheart Travel’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 Belgian studies 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 exchange 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 high school program in Belgium, Greenheart Travel will send you orientation, culture shock, and country information, so that you can familiarize yourself with your destination. Greenheart Travel’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 Belgium and practice your language skills as much as you can!

Transportation
Along with your host family information, Greenheart Travel will notify you of your arrival city, travel dates, and any travel arrangements that need to be made. Airfare to Belgium is your responsibility, and you will need to send Greenheart Travel 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 should be prepared to go to the embassy or consulate for their jurisdiction in person in order to apply for a student visa. Up-to-date information can be found at http://www.diplobel.org/USA/StudyingBelgium/Visas.asp. Upon acceptance to the program, Greenheart Travel 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 Embassy’s instructions, as they are the final authority on all visa matters.

Semester Program Options:
Fall Semester: September to January
Spring Semester: January to June

Academic Year:
September 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 Greenheart Travel’s High School Abroad Program, you should be in good academic standing and be in good mental and physical health. In addition:

• Two years of French study or equivalent is required
• Some Dutch study is preferred, but not required
• 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.