FAQs
These questions and many more are answered at the S.C.C.E. Information Sessions held regularly throughout Australia. Questions about preparation for departure are also covered at the all-day Departure Orientations, as well as in the S.C.C.E. Countdown circular series mailed to participants. S.C.C.E. staff are available for all questions during business hours, and around the clock for emergencies.
S.C.C.E. and our programs:
Application:
Host family:
Payment:
Why become an exchange student?
To challenge yourself by doing something completely different, to gain an overseas family and new friends, to try out a new school, to truly understand a foreign culture and, in many cases, to learn a second language.
May I go with a friend?
Encourage your friend to apply, but do not expect to be placed near each other. That’s what we sometimes call taking ‘cultural baggage’ with you. An exchange student learns best by becoming completely immersed in the host culture and the daily family life, through temporarily halting Australian way of life. Don’t forget – you will find your Australian life will be right where you left it when you get back.
If you are in a group of students from the same school wishing to travel to a country together, S.C.C.E. may be able to design a program to meet specific needs. More information can be found here.
Who will fly over with me?
In the vast majority of cases, students travel as a group to and from the host country, assembling at Australian airports from their diverse home towns, and re-gathering at the host country airports from their diverse host family home towns. In rare circumstances where this is not possible, a student may fly solo.
May I travel while on program?
For some programs, group excursions to see historical or natural sights will be arranged, where other exchange students from several countries, not only Australia, will be invited to attend. Additionally there may be school excursions as well as family trips or even a holiday to look forward to. However any independent travel is prohibited and will not be covered by your insurance.
How can I best immerse myself into the culture of my host country?
When in Rome! Take each day at a time to learn the culture and customs, turn off your English brain and engage your foreign language skills, do as your host family does and become actively involved in your school and community.
Student exchange is for a good time, not a long time – be sure to make the most of every day.
What about safety?
Safety is S.C.C.E.’s key priority for all our students on all our programs. Thankfully, all students live within the same environment of the family unit, with the additional security of a 24-hour network of S.C.C.E. and overseas staff, both with decades of experience and contingencies in place for emergencies, fortified by local contacts and flexible ticket conditions.
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Airlines are chosen due to solid safety records and reputations, daily or frequent Australian flights, local contacts and flexible ticketing
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S.C.C.E. has emergency 24/7 contacts of all domestic and overseas staff
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S.C.C.E. has emergency contacts at all stop-over destinations
How will the Australian education of the exchange student be affected?
Education is for life and often happens outside the classroom. A cultural exchange experience accelerates personal development, decision making capabilities, maturity, curiosity, knowledge, language facility, ability to persevere and acceptance of diversity.
As there is little continuity of educational systems throughout the world Australian schooling may be interrupted so it is crucial to discuss your plans to exchange with your school before and after your program – keep in mind many students change their goals upon their return!
Who are the overseas affiliates of S.C.C.E?
Each overseas affiliate organisation matches the purpose, procedures and programs of S.C.C.E. and from many organisations has been carefully interviewed and appointed to exclusively represent S.C.C.E. and support our students. Constant communication, performance reviews, staff meetings and contracts flow back and forth around the clock throughout the year. S.C.C.E. does not use overseas agents.
What if we at home have concerns while our child is on program?
In our decades of experience S.C.C.E. has found that the on-site personnel – local coordinators – best understand difficult situations as many involve cultural differences, and they can provide the guidance and support needed for the best outcomes. So if your child is having a difficult time abroad please encourage them to immediately contact their local coordinator who will help to resolve the issue, and please also inform S.C.C.E.
How should we choose an exchange organisation?
The phrase ‘student exchange’ is used loosely to identify a dichotomy of overseas student excursions. To help parents and educators make an informed choice of an exchange program for secondary students, S.C.C.E. suggests the following check-list:
- Choose from the private, not-for-profit, international exchange organisations; there are less than a dozen in Australia. Ask your school or returned students to make recommendations.
- Ensure that the organisation accepts legal and financial responsibility. Check that the organisation has an Australian Business Number and not-for-profit status.
- Attend an information session to meet staff, returned students and their parents, host families and international students. Assess their ability and experience.
- The stated purpose is usually to further international understanding by exposing selected students to carefully-guided experiential learning, usually by living with a voluntary host family and attending the local school overseas.
- Evaluate promotional material:
- Is it tailored for Australian students or for worldwide distribution?
- Are touristic activities emphasised more than preparation and learning?
- Academic credits or specific schooling should not be promised.
- May the applicant choose the country of destination?
- The selection process should consist of:
- self-description forms of the applicant
- an interview with the student
- a medical report
- a confidential report from the school
- a contract including behavioural parameters.
- Are there language prerequisites?
- Are there contingency plans for emergencies?
- How are the overseas representatives chosen?
- An organisation is selected, autonomous to the country, and it follows agreed-upon procedures contractually confirmed.
- Not chosen, but part of the same large multi-national organisation.
- An overseas person or agency for host families is hired.
- Is the transportation included from Australia to the host family?
- Is it on an airline with a reputation for safety and back-up?
- Are there frequent/daily flights to Australia?
- Can the airline be contacted in Australia 24/7?
- Is the insurance cover included in the fee? (NOT to be charged later.)
- Has the policy been written especially to cover the many peculiarities of a student exchange program?
- Is there worldwide support around the clock?
- How are the voluntary host families recruited and selected?
Am I ready for an exchange program?
That’s up to you!
S.C.C.E. will help you prepare for differences in lifestyle and customs, and consider the skills you should take with you to make the most of your exchange program – S.C.C.E. was founded to ensure as best we can that students gain all of the invaluable lessons of cultural exchange: it’s why we do what we do.
What is the application process?
In a nutshell:
- Preliminary application
- Application Kit, including photographs, personal essay, medical report, contract and school evaluation
- Information session attendance
- Personal interview with S.C.C.E.
- Successful students notified of their selection
- Student’s details sent overseas to be given to host families
- Host family confirmed
- Pre-departure orientation meeting
The full application process can be found here
What does S.C.C.E. look for in its exchange students?
- Are you adventurous, curious and motivated to explore a foreign culture?
- Are you adaptable and excited by change and new experiences?
- Are you comfortable with unfamiliarity?
- Do you accept responsibility for your actions?
- Are you respectful, patient and resilient?
S.C.C.E. recruits participants who are motivated to experience a different culture, accept and adapt to changes and move out of their comfort zones.
Age requirements:
- Group programs: 15-19 years old
- European programs: 15-19 years old
- Non-European programs: 15-18 years old
Grades: Minimum ‘C’ grade average and above
And a good sense of humour!
May we choose the host family?
S.C.C.E.’s overseas affiliate organisation knows best the host families, support personnel, schools and regions of the host country, and based on this they will select your host family. Their priority is to select a strong match to ensure the relationship between the student, host family, school and host community is mutually beneficial for everyone.
How do host families choose their student?
The exchange organisation presents dossiers (including your application kit, photographs and personal essay) to host families of students who share common interests and values. As everyone will have a different relationship with the student, host families make the decision together of which student they would like to host, and as soon as this is confirmed, S.C.C.E. will contact you with all the family’s details.
What help is given for adjusting to the host family?
As the vast majority of students get in contact with their host families prior to their arrival, the first meeting is often very relaxed and naturally progresses into a ‘normal life’ relationship with each other. However if at any time you feel you need help understanding a cultural difference, or would like some advice, please contact your local coordinator who will live nearby and have experience in supporting students with the initial adjustment, cultural differences, family and school compatibility. You will receive all local contact information upon your arrival.
Why aren’t host families paid?
The student is not a boarder but an accepted member of the family – with all the privileges and responsibilities attached. Host families volunteer to take exchange students into their homes, in the interest of learning about a foreign culture and sharing their own.
However the family may not pay any medical (for example, illness) or educational (for example, school books) fees which are the responsibility of student.
Can my family host an international student in return?
Yes, however this is not expected as S.C.C.E. selects host families just as it selects its exchange students, choosing only those who are suitable for the program.
Many Australian families apply to host, particularly if their child is about to go on exchange as hosting is often found to be the best research available to prepare students for what they can expect abroad. Similarly, many want to ‘give back’ once their child has returned from an exchange.
We often contact families to inquire as to whether they would like to host an international student, and whether they know others who would be interested. Through hosting families gain an additional family member and learn another culture, and even a foreign language. For anyone interested in foreign customs and international friendships, hosting is a unique opportunity that should not be missed. More information about hosting can be found here.
What are the fees based upon?
As S.C.C.E. is a not-for-profit organisation, our fees reflect the actual costs of the program – all key program components are included, particularly insurance, as illustrated below:
International transportation and taxes: 35%
Overseas domestic transportation: 7%
Student insurance: 3%
Administration and support in Australia: 18%
Regional representation: 3%
Overseas administration and support: 34%
Why aren’t the shorter programs cheaper?
Airfares for the shorter programs, which are during peak travel seasons, are the key cost of the fee. However, regardless of the length of the program, Australian and overseas staff have the same responsibilities for selection, including host family placement, bookings, staffing, support and accessibility. Of course insurance cover varies with program length, however as Ireland is the only country where families are financially supported, the program duration does not otherwise directly influence the fee.
More questions?
Phone 1800 500 501 now for answers. | 
