FLAG Abroad is an outbound exchange program for American high school students aged 14+ to study and live abroad for anywhere from a few weeks to a full academic year. While many students choose to participate in exchange programs during their sophomore year of high school, students at any grade level can participate subject to availability.
Executed with the same standard of excellence as the FLAGship program, FLAG Abroad is a highly customizable outbound program that can make almost any American student’s dream of experiencing another culture and country a reality!
What Is The FLAG Abroad Program?
Each year, FLAG brings over 500 students from 25 countries to study in the United States. You have probably met some of these students at your school, on sports teams, and in community organizations. What you might not know is that American students can travel to other countries through our FLAG Abroad program. Just like the foreign exchange students who come to the United States, you will be placed with a host family in another country, attend a public school there, and learn first-hand about a different culture.
Why should you be an exchange student?
Student exchanges support both academic and personal development. Not only will you be able to strengthen your foreign language skills, but learning in a different educational system will promote critical thinking and provide opportunities for lifelong friendships. Most of all, your time abroad will help you become more independent and confident as you learn to adapt to a new way of life far from home.
Who is this program for?
There are FLAG Abroad opportunities for high school students of any age and language ability. Ideal candidates will be at least 14 years old at the start of the exchange period and have basic knowledge of the language spoken in the host country. While many students choose to participate in exchange programs during their sophomore year of high school, students at any grade level can participate subject to availability. Please reach out to FLAG to discuss the possibilities.
FLAG Abroad France FLAG Abroad Germany FLAG Abroad Japan FLAG Abroad Spain
Step 1: Submit an Outbound Interest Form
If you are interested in learning more about FLAG Abroad, submit this electronic form to tell us about yourself, where you want to go, and how long you want to stay. Somone from FLAG will reach out via your preferred contact method to tell you more about our programs. If you are a parent, grandparent, guardian, or educator you can fill out the interest form too!
Submit an Outbound Interest Form
Step 2: Interview & Preliminary Student Application
Student exchange experiences impact the entire family. So, the second step is for a student, their parents/guardians, and a FLAG representative to discuss the program details. If FLAG Abroad is a good fit and there is availability in the host country, the student will be sent a link to the Preliminary Student Application and Student Agreement. There is not a cost at this stage in the process.
Step 3: Parent Agreement & International Partner Application
Once the Preliminary Student Application is approved by FLAG Abroad, parents/guardians will receive a Parent Agreement with program details and costs. Families who chose to move forward by making an initial payment will then receive the International Partner Application and instructions for continuing with the process. The International Partner Application is comprehensive and will require significant effort from the student to complete. This is the most important step of the process. A second payment is due when a student applies to the international partner.
Step 4: Approval & Placement
FLAG's international partner will consider the student application and contact FLAG and/or the student with their decision. The international partner will then secure host family and school placements. Students will begin preparing for the trip by getting a passport, applying for a visa if required, purchasing airline tickets, completing the FLAG Abroad orientation, and making other arrangements. The final payment will be due before students leave on the trip.
Step 5: Your Student Exchange Experience
Applying and being accepted into the FLAG Abroad program is a great achievement, but it is just the first step in your international journey. The month, trimester, semester, or year you spend in another country is when the real work, fun, and growth happen. Get excited, because you are going to have a great time!