High School Immersion in the USA – Classic Program – 1 semester or 1 academic year
Our one-semester or one-year “classic” high school program in the USA is open to motivated participants aged 15 to 18 and a half.
It offers a real immersion in the American language and culture, by sharing the daily life of a host family and attending high school, just like an American student your own age!
- 24-hour immersion in American language and culture
- Experience authentic America through the daily life of a host family
- Discover a fundamentally different school system
- Program open to participants aged 15 or over and 18 and a half before departure
- Mastery of everyday English
- Gain in maturity and confidence
- Forge lasting, international friendships
The United States is so vast that it’s hard to cover it all, even in one lifetime! Immersing yourself in American culture for a semester or a school year with our high school program will enable you to grasp different facets of this immense country: a multi-cultural society, unforgettable landscapes, but above all warm-hearted inhabitants who are always willing to share their values. By immersing yourself in another educational system, you’ll be able to discover a different form of teaching, choose subjects that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to study here, and get involved in various extra-curricular activities to enrich your stay and create lasting memories.
Stays can take place anywhere in the United States, although most placements are in central states such as Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa,… Families can be located in small communities or in larger cities. In all cases, you’ll be totally immersed in the language and culture of the country.
The U.S. and Canada are vast countries, with vast geographical distances. The car is the main means of travel, and public transit systems are generally underdeveloped, with the exception of some major cities. European exchange students, accustomed to using public transport for their travels, will have to adapt to this cultural difference and learn to plan their journeys according to the transport options available.
What do our students think?
You’ll attend a public high school. In the United States, we don’t work by class but by year and level. The course is therefore individualized. The level at which you study may vary from one subject to another, determined by your level in the chosen subject and your level of English. For example, you could take maths in 11th grade and history in 10th grade.
English (mother tongue) is required for both semesters. It is also compulsory to take at least 1 course in each of these 4 subjects during the school year (1st or 2nd semester): US history (or U.S Government, Civics, or similar), Math, Social Science and Physical Science. Classes are held in the morning, with the afternoon devoted to extra-curricular activities.
In most American schools, the choice of subjects is vast: psychology, sociology, literature, drama, pottery, journalism, architectural design, speech, media, computer science…
It’s a unique opportunity to discover new fields or improve your skills in a subject you love. Some courses last a semester, so you can change options midway through the year if you wish.
There’s just as much choice when it comes to extra-curricular activities: soccer, baseball, tennis, swimming, athletics, basketball, volleyball, charity club, student council, fanfare, debate club, speech club, year book and so on.
The same student can take courses at different levels depending on the subjects chosen, for example: US History in 9th grade, Environmental Science in 11th grade and Geometry in 10th grade. The choice of class is made by the school principal.
Schooling in the U.S. lasts 12 years, as it does in the U.S.: high school covers the last 4 years of secondary school, from 9th grade to 12th grade. However, the school system and the way it works are very different from ours. We don’t operate by class, but by year and by level. As a result, courses are individualized. Students take each course at the level corresponding to their level in that subject and their level of English.
There is no government-imposed curriculum, which is defined locally. Students take 4/5 subjects per semester. The choice of subjects is generally vast and varied: US history, English, Math, Sciences, Debating, Speech, Pottery, Cooking, etc.
Classes start early in the morning (7:30/8:00) and finish around 3:00 p.m., with the rest of the afternoon devoted to extra-curricular activities. The school year begins between early August and mid-September, depending on the school.
Stays can take place anywhere in the United States. However, students participating in this program are generally placed in the central states of the country (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa…). This gives them the opportunity to discover the true “American way of life”. Families generally live in medium-sized cities, but can also live in small towns or more rural areas, so students integrate more easily into local communities, and take part in all the city’s cultural and social activities. This integration is all the more successful as it’s much easier to get to know your neighbors in a small town than in a metropolis.
The United States and Canada are vast countries, with vast geographical distances. The car is the main means of travel, and public transport networks are generally underdeveloped, with the exception of some major cities. European exchange students, accustomed to using public transport for their travels, will have to adapt to this cultural difference and learn to plan their journeys according to the transport options available.
Option: regional choice
Do you prefer to live in the city or do you enjoy outdoor activities? The “regional choice” option lets you select the region that best suits your objectives. Places are limited for each region, so early registration is essential.
The choice cannot be guaranteed, but it is usually respected if you register on time.
If the choice is not respected, the option fee is refunded.
The regional choice option is only available for departures in August and for a fully completed application sent before 12/31.
The regions
Northern Michigan
A region of spectacular scenery, dunes, lakes and lush meadows, located on Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, near the northern shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities to enjoy in all seasons, from water sports of all kinds to snowboarding and skating, or any other outdoor sport you can dream up.
The Twin Cities, Minneaopolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota
These 2 cities and their surrounding areas are known as the “Twin Cities”. Saint-Paul is the capital of Minnesota. It’s rich in history and proud of its classic architecture, while Minneapolis is the state’s largest city and is renowned for its arts and music scene, as well as its many bike paths.
Central Minnesota
Central Minnesota has the charm of small-town America, where everyone knows everyone else and is welcomed with open arms. But you’ll also find stores, malls, art galleries, restaurants serving a variety of cuisines… The only thing you won’t find here is hustle and bustle.
Central Wisconsin
This region is filled with forests, scenic roads, rolling hills, lakes and rivers where you can ski, fish or boat. Central Wisconsin is known for its small towns and incomparable hospitality. A unique region to experience what you can’t experience anywhere else.
Southern Wisconsin
Southern Wisconsin offers the charm of small towns, warm and supportive, where hospitality is not an empty word. But beyond these small towns, you’ll find not only Madison, Wisconsin’s capital, but also Dells, the waterpark capital of the world, with its 8 indoor and 3 outdoor parks, including over 200 waterslides. Lovers of outdoor activities will find plenty to do here, any time of year.
Southeast Wisconsin
This region is made up of 8 counties and is home to the state’s largest city, Milwaukee. Southeast Wisconsin vibrates with a youthful, dynamic energy. It’s bordered by Lake Michigan, one of the 5 Great Lakes of North America, whose coastline offers spectacular views of the heart of the United States.
Florida
Florida is the southernmost state in the USA. It’s almost entirely surrounded by water and boasts miles of beaches. You can canoe in Everglades National Park, watch a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral or visit one of the countless theme parks. The north is bordered by Alabama and Georgia, while the south abounds in valleys and sinkholes.
Eastern South Dakota
A state of great natural beauty. Western South Dakota is home to many famous sites, such as Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, a reflection of the natural splendor of the landscape, crystal-clear mountain waters, granite and emerald gleams, and immense prairies teeming with wildlife. The major cities are located in the southeast of the state.
Host families are volunteers. They are selected by the local correspondent for their genuine desire to welcome a young foreigner and share their culture with him or her through daily life. The local correspondent visits the families’ homes to ensure that they can offer the participant a balanced and warm environment.
There’s no such thing as a typical family. Each one is unique and reflects the society and way of life of the country you have chosen. Your host family may or may not have children; it may be a blended family or a single-parent family, a single person whose children no longer live at home, retired people or younger people. They may live in a large conurbation or a smaller town. It’s not the composition of the family or where they live that’s important, but their willingness and motivation to share their culture with you.
From a practical point of view, you havea single or shared room, depending on the placement, and benefit from half-board during the week and full-board at weekends and during school vacations.
The local correspondent is an experienced person who knows the host families and stays in regular contact with the students and their American parents throughout the stay. He or she organizes regular meetings and makes sure that the stay goes well, both with the host family and at the school. As he can act quickly in the event of a problem, he remains your privileged contact on site.
Our local correspondents work closely with our partner in the U.S. and have been looking after foreign students for many years, so they know how to react quickly and effectively if the need arises.
Before you leave
To ensure that your stay goes as smoothly as possible, and that you are fully informed about the various elements of the program, we organize a pre-departure information meeting, which you are encouraged to attend.
It is organized by Langues Vivantes in Brussels, in June. It provides an opportunity to discuss various aspects of the program (the school, the family, cultural differences, program rules, etc.) as well as all practical questions (travel, luggage, insurance, etc.).
If you don’t live in Belgium, we can organize a meeting at our offices in Paris or, if necessary, an online meeting to explain all the steps you need to take to ensure your stay goes as smoothly as possible.
On arrival
A few days after your arrival, the local coordinator organizes an orientation meeting for all students under his or her responsibility.
An optionalorientation weekend in Chicago is available (only for participants arriving in August). Students from all over the world arrive in Chicago on Friday evening. They are greeted by our partner’s local team and follow a two-day program to get to know each other, visit the city and ask any final questions about their stay. They then fly back to their host families on Sunday, and can begin their stay equipped with everything they need to ensure their trip goes as smoothly as possible.
Please note: placements may be communicated to us very late, sometimes after the meeting in Chicago. In this case, students will not be able to attend this meeting, and will have a personalized briefing with their local coordinator once they arrive on site.
Dates 2023 – 2024
- School year: August* to June (varies by school)
- School semester: August* to December or January to June (varies by school)
- Orientation weekend in Chicago: dates to be confirmed
*The dates for the start of the school year are set by the schools and can range from the end of July to mid-September. Dates of stay are therefore fixed once the participant has received his/her placement.
Fares with flights subject to ticket prices at time of booking
Prices 2023-2024
| Tuition room and board, all registration fees, transfers included (flights NOT included) | |
|---|---|
| Programme duration | Price |
| Academic semester | € 8.345 |
| Academic year | € 10.285 |
| Tuition, accommodation and meals, all registration fees (flights and taxes included) | |
| Course duration | Price |
| Academic semester - Departure from Paris or Brussels | € 10.245 |
| Academic year - Departure from Paris or Brussels | € 12.185 |
| Optional regional choice | |
| All regions | € 1.050 |
| Weekend orientation in Chicago (for those departing in August only) | |
| 2 days | € 650 |
Late registration surcharge (registration and complete file received after 31/03/2023): 300€
Our rates include :
- English level test and pre-application interview
- Public school tuition
- Host family search fees
- Half-board accommodation with a host family during the school year
- Assistance, support and follow-up throughout the stay
- Regular contact and evaluation reports
- Official certificate of attendance, including grades for courses taken, depending on destination
- Return transfer from designated airport to host family
- All documents required to obtain a J-1 visa
- Basic medical insurance
- Return flight, if chosen, from Brussels or Paris
Not included:
- Return trip to designated airport, depending on option chosen
- Optional orientation weekend in Chicago (August departures only)
- Visa and ESTA fees (approx. €350)
- Lunch at the school (approx. $3-5 per day)
- Pocket money: $250-300 per month
- School fees for use of books, lockers, labs, etc. (depending on the school, allow up to $400)
- Medical assistance/accident/repatriation/RCI insurance
- Any additional costs related to Covid (e.g. quarantine, tests etc.)
Dates 2024 – 2025
- School year: August* to June (varies by school)
- School semester: August* to December or January to June (varies by school)
- Orientation weekend in Chicago: dates to be confirmed
*The dates for the start of the school year are set by the schools and can range from the end of July to mid-September. Dates of stay are therefore fixed once the participant has received his/her placement.
Fares with flights subject to ticket prices at time of booking
Prices 2024-2025
| Tuition room and board, all registration fees, transfers included (flights NOT included) | |
|---|---|
| Programme duration | Price |
| Academic semester | € 8.745 |
| Academic year | € 10.750 |
| Tuition, accommodation and meals, all registration fees (flights and taxes included) | |
| Course duration | Price |
| Academic semester - Departure from Paris or Brussels | € 10.645 |
| Academic year - Departure from Paris or Brussels | € 12.650 |
| Optional regional choice | |
| All regions | € 1.075 |
| Weekend orientation in Chicago (for those departing in August only) | |
| 2 days | € 650 |
Late registration surcharge (registration and complete file received after 31/03/2024): 300€
Our rates include :
- English level test and pre-application interview
- Public school tuition
- Host family search fees
- Half-board accommodation with a host family during the school year
- Assistance, support and follow-up throughout the stay
- Regular contact and evaluation reports
- Official certificate of attendance, including grades for courses taken, depending on destination
- Return transfer from designated airport to host family
- All documents required to obtain a J-1 visa
- Basic medical insurance
- Return flight, if chosen, from Brussels or Paris
Not included:
- Return trip to designated airport, depending on option chosen
- Optional orientation weekend in Chicago (August departures only)
- Visa fees (approx. 560 USD)
- Lunch at the school (approx. $3-5 per day)
- Pocket money: $250-300 per month
- School fees for use of books, lockers, labs, etc. (depending on the school, allow up to $400)
- Medical assistance/accident/repatriation/RCI insurance
- Any additional costs related to Covid (e.g. quarantine, tests, etc.)
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