Immersion school in the Netherlands – 14-18 years – 3 months to 1 academic year
Our student exchange programme in the Netherlands is aimed at motivated young people aged between 14 and 18 years and 6 months, who want to enjoy an enriching international experience by studying for 3 months to 1 academic year in a Dutch secondary school. By sharing the daily life of a Dutch host family, you will be able to immerse yourself fully in the local culture.
It is not essential to have a good command of Dutch before starting this language course in the Netherlands, as beginners are welcome. However, a good level of English is required to facilitate communication and integration.
By enrolling in this school programme in the Netherlands, you will benefit from the advantages offered by the Dutch education system, which is renowned for its excellence. You’ll have the opportunity to improve your Dutch and explore Dutch traditions and landscapes.
Benefit from the educational support offered throughout your stay and take part in the various extra-curricular activities to enrich your experience and create lasting memories. Find out about the scholarships available to make this adventure a reality and take full advantage of the benefits of a High School programme in the Netherlands.
Why the Netherlands?
Tulips, bicycles and windmills… These are usually the first things that spring to mind when the Netherlands is mentioned. But beyond all that, it’s a country renowned for its open-mindedness, friendliness and tolerance. The country has a long-standing commitment to environmental protection, with around 19,000 km of cycle paths, making cycling the main mode of transport.
Placements are available throughout the Netherlands. The student can therefore be placed in a large city or in a more rural area in one of the country’s 12 provinces.
During the stay, our local partner organises group excursions for all participants in the programme (1 for stays of 3 months to 1 semester and 2 for stays of 1 year), ideal for discovering different facets of the country and meeting international students (participants come from Belgium as well as Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, Australia, etc.). All the information you need will be provided on the spot.
The schools
You will attend an official secondary school. The choice of school depends on where your host family lives.
In principle, you will be placed in the class that corresponds to your age and academic level, but the final decision rests with the school principal. You must attend all classes in the same way as a Dutch student. Please note that participants will not normally be placed in the final year of the programme, which is essentially an exam year. Our participants can join the programme up to the age of 18 and a half, but will therefore be with young people aged 17 or under. If, for example, the Dutch course is not suited to your level, it will be possible to take it in a lower year, or in 2 different years depending on your timetable.
The subjects taught vary depending on the class. They generally include: maths, Dutch, English, science, history and physical education. You can choose your own course: Science and Technology, Science and Health Care, Economics and Society, Culture and Society. In total, you will have to choose between 8 and 9 subjects.
The timetable varies from school to school, but classes generally run from 8.30am to 3.30pm.
Here is an example of the timetable and the subjects on offer
First Steps to Dutch – Dutch course
You will need to take a Dutch language course* to help with your immersion.
The program lasts for 10 weeks and begins approximately one month before your departure. The classes consist of:
- A challenging online training program;
- Support from “markers” (professional trainers who monitor students’ progress and assess their work);
- Biweekly webinars with other exchange participants, organized by professional trainers;
- Students are encouraged to participate in “Dutch Language Labs” once a month at the Exchange House in Amsterdam. These sessions are organized by local coordinators who are certified teachers for teaching Dutch to foreign students.
Extra Dutch Language Course: This option is highly recommended and mandatory for students who do not reach level A0+ 7 weeks after their arrival in the Netherlands.
*Belgian students who are not complete beginners are exempt from the online Dutch course.
Bilingual programme option
Some Dutch schools offer a bilingual curriculum (English-Dutch) for classes equivalent to years 2 and 3 in Belgium and years 4 and 3 in France (14-15 year-olds). In these classes, around 50% of lessons are in English.
Bilingual courses are not offered for the last 3 years of secondary school, which are devoted to preparing for the final exam, which is held exclusively in Dutch.
It is possible to indicate a preference for a bilingual programme at the time of enrolment. Placement in a bilingual school cannot be guaranteed, however, as the school is selected according to the place of residence of the family who will choose to take you in.
If the bilingual school option is chosen, it will be offered at an additional cost.
Option Sport Program
New Program 2025-2026
Sports and physical activity are well organized in the Netherlands. There are numerous clubs and sports associations in every region. Most young people are members of a local sports club. The sports club is where one meets friends, stays healthy, and integrates into Dutch society.
The sports program facilitates the placement of the student in clubs for their preferred sport and organizes their membership. If possible, it includes competitions (matches) during weekends, subject to the requirements of the Dutch national sports association.
Depending on the duration of the exchange, the sports program includes participation in one or two international sports events as a spectator. For example, students may attend the European speed skating championship or a football match of one of the top clubs in the national league.
Additionally, students will receive four vouchers for free access to locally available recreational sports facilities or activities, such as ice skating, fitness, or swimming.
The Dutch education system is one of the best in the world. It is one of the “top 10” for maths and science teaching.
Schooling is compulsory from the age of 5, but children often start school as early as 4. Education is compulsory full-time from age 5 to 16 and at least part-time until age 18.
Primary school lasts 8 years, from age 4-5 to age 12. From the age of 12, pupils choose a direction for their secondary education.
There are 3 possible routes to secondary school:
- mBO, the vocational route, lasts 4 years and allows direct entry into the labour market.
- hAVO, the mixed route, lasts 5 years and can be used to prepare for a short higher education course.
- vWO, the academic route, lasts 6 years and prepares students for university entrance.
Host families are undoubtedly the most important element of the programme. That’s why we attach such importance to selecting them.
Dutch host families are volunteers. They choose to host students because they want to show and share their way of life and their culture, and because they want to find out more about the young people they host and their country.
There is no such thing as a typical family, each one is unique and reflects the society and way of life in that country. The host families come from different backgrounds. They are not necessarily traditional families with father, mother and children. They may be single parents with or without children, or parents whose children no longer live at home. But they all share the same motivation: to open their doors to a foreign student and share their way of life and culture.
It is possible for a student to be hosted by several successive families during their stay. Placement in the same region and at the same school is not guaranteed.
Students are accommodated in single or shared rooms. The family provides all meals, with the exception of those taken at school.
A bicycle will be provided on site to help you get around for the duration of your stay.
You will also have a museum pass which will give you access to most Dutch museums.
Communication and exchange are key to the success of this stay, as are an open mind and the desire to adapt to another way of life.
The local correspondent is an experienced person who selects the host families and stays in regular contact with the students. As he or she is able to act quickly in the event of a problem, he or she is your key contact during your stay.
He or she will be on hand to answer any questions you may have once you arrive and to help you with any formalities. Regular communication will be established with your parents, host family and school to ensure that your experience goes as smoothly as possible.
Finally, you will be given an emergency number so that you can contact someone if you have an urgent problem.
On arrival in the Netherlands, students take part in an orientation course. This is compulsory for all participants, regardless of the length of their stay.
Stays of 2 or 3 months: 4-day/3-night course
Includes: transfer from the airport to the course location, accommodation in a youth hostel, all meals, a full-day tour of Amsterdam, 1 day of Dutch lessons and 1 day to meet the host family and local coordinator.
Stays of 1 semester or 1 academic year: 6-day/5-night course
It includes: transfer from the airport to the course location, accommodation in a youth hostel, all meals, a full-day tour of Amsterdam, bike hire, an intercultural workshop, 2 days of Dutch lessons (adapted to different levels) and 1 day to meet the host family and local coordinator.
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