STS Education
Free brochure

Celina went on high school exchange to Germany

Celina from Brazil spent a school year in Germany.

I was on exchange in Germany for ten months. I chose Germany because it is such a different culture from Brazil.

School and friends

My German school was very accommodating and welcoming. It was fairly easy to make new friends in Germany, although they were a bit reserved at first. But with time we got along well.

My host family

My host family and I got along very well, they even came over to Brazil this year. They made me feel like a part of the family. My host parents are very patient and since I had two host brothers who also did an exchange year we got along very well and became friends in no time.

Learnings

As a Brazilian my main learning from my time abroad is to be punctual and to be very organized with my time. The difference between Brazil and Germany that impacted me the most, and that I had the most trouble with, was the weather. I had mentally prepared for the cold, but the winds were brutal!

My expectations were all exceeded

I had high expectations for my exchange year, and they were all exceeded. I felt that the STS team really cared for me, and they were doing their best so that I could have an amazing year!

Overall, my year was great and I made friends from all over the world. I also made tons of awesome memories. One that sticks out the most was my first time painting easter eggs. They didn’t turn out very pretty, but I had lots of fun.

Recommendations

I would recommend everyone to go abroad, it changes your worldview, and it can open many doors in the future. Some advice for those who are going is to try out a bit of everything and don’t be afraid to go. Throw yourself into the new culture, trust me you’ll learn a lot from it!

Find out more

 

Louisa went on exchange to New Zealand

Louisa from Austria was on exchange in New Zealand.

Hi! I’m Louisa from Austria. I spent a semester abroad in Auckland, New Zealand. This was the best thing I’ve done in my life so far. I was able to get to know new cultures, lifestyles, and languages, and I made countless new friends.

When I arrived in New Zealand

I still remember well when my adventure started on January 20th in wintry temperatures in Vienna-Schwechat. After a twenty-five-hour flight and two stopovers in Frankfurt and Singapore, I finally landed at the other end of the world, in the city of Auckland in New Zealand – 17,890 km away!

I arrived in summer because, in addition to the twelve-hour time difference, the seasons are also the opposite of Europe. I spent the first few days with STS in Auckland City, where we visited the Sky Tower and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. After the Welcome Days, everyone traveled on to their host families and I had to part with my last Austrian girlfriend.

My host families

During my stay, I lived with two host families. First, I was with a family that had moved to New Zealand from South Africa about a decade and a half ago and whose origins lie in India. My second host family consisted of my Italian host mother, my Māori host father, and their two young sons Giacomo and Nikau. During my time in New Zealand, I had three different host mates: Mika from Japan, Touch from Thailand, and Isabel from Norway.

My school

I attended Avondale College, one of the largest high schools in New Zealand with around 2,800 students and a very nice black and white school uniform. It offers a wide range of subjects and a large number of different sports teams, dance groups, choirs, and other activities. In addition to the “normal subjects”, I also took subjects such as Dance, Health, and Outdoor Education. Outdoor Education is a special feature of New Zealand. It includes activities ranging from climbing to diving and is intended to prepare students for jobs in tourism. There were often festivals to get to know and celebrate different cultures and also various occasions such as the Talent Quest, where the students gathered during the lunch break.

Why New Zealand

An important reason why I chose New Zealand (Aotearoa) as my program country, is my interest in the unique Māori culture. The influence and significance that Māori culture has on the country can be seen in the national anthem and street signs written in English and Māori. But also in school, through the Māori honors at the assemblies, various “Māori” school subjects, and the school motto “Kohia ngā Taikākā”. The “Haka”, a traditional dance that is also performed at matches of the “All Blacks”, the national rugby team, is known and loved worldwide.

Of course, I also had time to explore the beautiful flora and fauna of New Zealand on numerous hikes, trips, and beach visits. Another highlight was to visit the filming locations of the “Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings” trilogies.

Finally…

The friendliness of the “Kiwis” will certainly remain in my heart, but also my gained independence. I will never forget this time and already look forward to visiting again during the Christmas holidays. But for now, I’m enjoying my family in Austria and… brown bread!

Find out more

 

Ode went on exchange to Italy

Ode van Daele, from Belgium was on exchange in Italy.

I always had it in my mind that I wanted to go to Italy. The language, the culture, the food, everything appealed to me. So, I went for a high school exchange for 3 months.

The three months flew by, and I never expected to get used to my new life in Italy so quickly. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had, from my family in Belgium, my host family, friends, classmates, school in Italy, and from STS.

Life in Italy

I stayed in Savona, a town on the north coast of Italy. When I arrived at the airport, my host family was already waiting there, eager and excited to see me. My host family consisted of 2 parents and 3 sisters aged 10, 14, and 17. Thanks to my host family, I learned a huge amount and saw many beautiful places. They took me to Venice, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and more!

I was quickly made very welcome by my sisters. They included me in their daily lives. I was in the same class as my eldest host sister, and she introduced me to all her friends. Thanks to the middle sister, I started scouting. The scouts were also very welcoming, and we even went to France together!

Learning Italian

In the beginning, it was difficult to follow the lessons properly because I didn’t speak any Italian. But in cooperation with the school, I was able to take many Italian lessons, which helped me understand more and more. My sister also helped me with my homework.

Most of the Italian, I learned in my family though. In the beginning, we spoke English, but since not everyone could speak English, it was sometimes difficult to communicate, so I was soon obliged to try to speak Italian.

Differences between Italy and Belgium

Life in Belgium and Italy is very different. In Belgium, I live in the countryside, and in Italy I suddenly found myself in the city. The school day ends much earlier in Italy than in Belgium, so I had the whole afternoon to do something with the family, go to the beach, visit another city, or just go for an ice cream.

Learnings

I would recommend going on exchange to anyone, because I am convinced it is the best way to grow on a personal level. I learned that you have to dare to be open to new adventures and that spending time abroad is a great eye-opener. I feel better now than ever, and that is entirely thanks to all I learned in Italy.

Find out more

 

Elena was on an exchange year in Italy

Elena from Austria went to Italy for a year.

From the age of 13, I was very determined to do an exchange year.

At first, I thought of the obvious choice, the USA. But, after some consideration, I decided that even though the experience would certainly have been wonderful, I also wanted to learn a new language.

Ever since I was little, my family and I often went on vacation to the north of Italy. But I never managed to pick up the language. So, when the opportunity arose, I decided to take it and go to Italy for a year.

The language barrier

At first, the language barrier was very challenging, especially with my host family. But after 2 months it started becoming easier by the day. I would say around Christmas time, I actually started speaking Italian and making real friends.

A highlight

A highlight was the Model UN event that I was able to partake in. I made my best friends on the bus ride there. From then on, I hung out with them every Saturday evening and enjoyed being abroad even more. After my year, they actually came to visit me in Vienna, my hometown in Austria.

Saying goodbye

It was very hard saying goodbye to everyone, and I still miss all my newfound friends every day. Hopefully, I can visit them again soon.

It will be worth it!

All in all, I have to say, that moving abroad is quite a challenge, but the memories, the experiences, and the friends you make will definitely make it worth it.

Find out more

 

Grace studied abroad in the Netherlands

Grace from New Zealand was on exchange in the Netherlands.

I chose to go to The Netherlands, because my family is originally from here. I thought it would be great to learn the language, learn about the history, buildings, and experience all the food. I love the food! Especially bitterballen, pindakaas and oliebollen.

People have been very welcoming. The school is a lot bigger than what I’m used to, the teachers are nice and relaxed, the students are eager to learn, and everyone speaks English very well. I’m taking English, history, Dutch, maths, PE, religion and art. It’s interesting to see the class dynamics. I’ve noticed that classmates here tend to be a lot closer than in NZ.

My host family has been amazing. I’m especially close to my host sister; we have similar interests and do a lot of things together. My host parents love to travel around the country and show me new things, which I really appreciate. As a family we also have a board game night every week, which I love. The match with them has been perfect, and I’m 100% sure we will stay in touch and hopefully see each other soon again!

If I could give future Host Families advice, I would say: encourage your student to try everything. They might not love everything, but they will be thankful in the end that they’ve tried something new.

Find out more

 

Andrea chose to study in the Netherlands

Andrea from Italy was on exchange in the Netherlands.

When I was little, I traveled a lot with my family. When we visited The Netherlands, I felt drawn to this country. I could really see myself living there when I got older, so I decided to go on a high school exchange to The Netherlands.

My host family was amazing! They were so nice and helped me with everything. After only two weeks, I started to feel at home already! I loved spending Christmas with them, celebrating birthdays, going on trips, and having family dinners.

The school was sometimes hard, but the teachers were open to help and didn’t expect me to be at the same level as the other students right away since I had to get used to the Dutch language first.

Making friends at school was easy! People in Brabant are just very welcoming to exchange students.

Find out more

 

Abigail went on exchange to the Netherlands

Abigail from Australia was on exchange in the Netherlands.

My mom was born in the Netherlands and part of my family still speaks Dutch, so going on exchange to the Netherlands to learn the language and understand the culture better, was great.

I felt at home with my host family immediately. I was in the same family as an Italian exchange student. It was actually great to share the exchange experience. Our host parents and older host sisters included us in everything: trips, holidays, activities, etc. And that’s what I would advise future Host Families as well: include your students as much as possible, but give them space to discover their own ‘Dutch life’ as well!

The school was great, the students and teachers were really nice. My English teacher introduced me to some girls in my class, who ended up becoming my best friends.

Although I had been to the Netherlands as a kid, I still had quite a culture shock. Part of that was me taking a bike to school every day! 😊

Find out more

 

Mirja spent a year abroad in Germany

Mirja from Montenegro spent her exchange in Hamburg, Germany.

It was my big dream to live in Germany. The language has played a big role. They say that German is one of the most difficult languages to learn and that’s why not many people speak it. So, it’s an advantage when you know this language. I learned German in school before I went on exchange, but I wasn’t that good at it. It was my wish to become really fluent and comfortable speaking German. When you live in the country and are around Germans and the language every day it’s much easier!

In the beginning the language was a challenge. I was a bit shy to speak German. Also, it’s normal when you live together in a family, that not every day is perfect. With my family at home, we have small quarrels all the time The important thing is to talk about it and to be open and forgiving to each other.

My advice for future exchange students is: Talk to your host family about everything that happens, the good stuff, the bad or ordinary stuff, it doesn’t matter. Just talk about everything. It’s your family for almost a year. Talk about what you did in school, your family back home, what’s happening in your home country. Your ideas and plans, where you want to go, what you would like to experience. The key is just good communication, being open and having an interest in each other’s lives.

My time in Germany was really, really beautiful. I couldn’t have dreamt it up any better. I believe that I am a better person now and more openminded than before. About my host family, I can only say the best things. They have this great love. The family rituals in Germany are completely different from Southeastern Europe. We really liked to play board and card games together and had many barbecues in the garden.

Because this year was so good, I want to go abroad again, for studying and university. I know that I don’t want to stay in my country, but always go back of course.

But the next step is for my host family to come visit me in Montenegro.

Find out more

 

Rayn studied abroad in Sweden

Hi, my name is Rayn. I‘m from Germany and had the chance to be an exchange student in Linköping, Sweden for half a year.

Why I chose to go to Sweden as an exchange student

I have always wanted to experience the life, culture, and school system in another country. I wanted to live somewhere else, not just travel there on vacation. When I heard about the possibility of an exchange year or semester, I immediately thought of Sweden. I had never been there before, but always enjoyed looking at Swedish landscapes and cities on TV.

Going to a new school

The school I attended in Sweden was really good. It was a small high school for students in the last 3 grades. The people were really kind and the teachers were gorgeous! I had an amazing learning experience. Of course, I had to get used to all the new things, the scheme, and especially to find the right room for all the lessons! But once I had a routine, it was like going to school in my home country. In my opinion, even better.

Living with a host family

First of all, it’s super interesting to see how daily life works in another family. Living with a host family is so much different than moving abroad on one’s own to study. Your host family can help you a lot with the orientation in your city, in your host country in general, and whenever you have problems, you can talk to them. I got along really well with my host family and we did a lot of cool activities together! Moving back to my home country, I know that I have a second family, and I will always be connected to them.

Making friends

The first chance to make new friends is in school. On my first day, after introducing myself to the class, my teacher chose two of my classmates who had the job to look after me and help me in case I had questions. Soon, I found a friend group in class, with which I spent most of my time. I recommend to talk to as many people as possible, even to the most introverted people, because great friendships can be formed!

You often get to know many other exchange students, for example you get this chance at the STS Welcome Camp and several STS activities! Sometimes, exchange students from other organizations go to your school, too. That’s how I made a really good friend!

In your free time, you have all the possibilities of making friends. No matter if you play a sport, an instrument, or just enjoy hanging out with other young people. You will for sure get to know other people by just joining a sports team, orchestra, youth club, the scouts, etc.

Expectations

I suggest not to have many expectations or hopes for your exchange, e. g. how your host family will look like or which school you will attend. Your exchange will be a great experience, no matter if you have host siblings or not, or if you go to a small or big school! I did not expect anything and was really happy with my whole exchange experience!

If you have any problems during your exchange, you can always talk to your host parents, your local coordinator, and your mentor/tutor at school.

Main learnings from my time abroad

First of all, I developed much more self-confidence in just a few months! I learned to get along by myself and in a new environment much better. Of course, I also learned and practiced a new language, which was much more fun than learning a language in school in my home country. What I also learned was that it’s always okay to ask for help and to set yourself boundaries, for example, not getting too stressed over school or activities.

How my high school exchange affects my future

My high school exchange has had a bigger impact on my life than anything else. After coming back to my home country, I realized I had completely lost my fear of new places and situations. I also have a goal in life now: To improve my Swedish and to live in Sweden one day, because I really fell in love with the country.

Things I would have done differently

If I could do it again, I would choose to go on an exchange for a full year instead of just half a year, because it was the best time of my life. But this is just my personal experience, many other people would probably be totally fine with going abroad for only 6 months!

My experience with STS

I think STS is a great organization and going on exchange with STS is an awesome experience. STS is always there for the exchange students and families: Before applying, many video- conferences take place in which STS informs about the exchange year, the different countries, and the application procedure. While applying, your program manager is there to answer all of your questions. Every exchange student has a local coordinator who will check up on you once a month, plus you can contact them anytime.

By starting with the welcome camp at the beginning of your exchange year, there are several possibilities to get to know other exchange students. Later on, STS organizes activity weekends for exchange students in several countries. Those are not included in the price of your exchange year, but definitely worth it!

Why study abroad

Studying abroad is an experience I suggest everyone should do once. Just living in another country for some time gives you so many new impressions about how life can be under other circumstances, like another culture, different climate, in another house, in another school.

You become so much wiser! Not only do you have the chance to learn a new language and practise it in real-life situations, but also learn a lot about yourself, and become way more independant.

Advise for every exchange student

  • Don’t compare yourself to any other exchange students, every exchange experience is
    unique and has its advantages and disadvantages!
  • Don‘t be afraid to ask for help. It is totally understandable that living with a new family,
    going to a new school, and trying to talk to people in a language you‘re still practicing isn’t a piece of cake!
  • You are enough! There’s no need to feel bad about yourself.
  • Do not wait too long to do things you want to do, like talking to new people or trying out a new activity. Overcoming your fears is really worth it!
  • To get to know your host family or your new mates better, I suggest playing a game or doing an activity in the city, like mini golf or shuffleboard 🙂
  • Enjoy your time, it‘s the first and last time you will be an exchange student!

Find out more

 

Nele was on an exchange year in Norway

Nele from Germany went on an exchange to Norway.

When were you on exchange and for how long?

I was on exchange in Norway from August 2023 to June 2024. I stayed for 10 months in Oslo.

How did you find the school?

Compared to school in Germany, school in Norway is easier and more relaxed. The tasks were pretty easy and we almost got no homework. I didn’t study too much and got mostly As and Bs. The teachers weren’t as strict, and the student/teacher relation was more familiar and not as formal as in Germany. We often talked about private things like hobbies and pets with the teachers. This seemed strange to me at first, but after I got used to it, I loved that. It made it easier to ask questions and say things in class.

How did you manage the language (Norwegian)?

Especially in the beginning, I felt uncomfortable speaking Norwegian. However, everybody was super supportive and patient with me. This helped me to get out of my comfort zone and really try to speak Norwegian in public. In the end, I managed to speak fluently.

What did you do in your spare time? Any new hobbies?

Before I went on exchange, I played handball and I wanted to continue with it during my exchange year. I made some really good friends in my handball team. In general, it was so nice to experience handball practice in a different country and to get some inspiration.

I had a lot of spare time as I didn’t have to work too hard for school. So, I started to swim, do yoga, knit, and I went on many walks with my host dog. It was wonderful not having to concentrate too much on school and trying out new things.

Some advice for future students?

Don’t stress too much about making friends!! Most people, including myself, worry about this before going on exchange. Personally, I struggled a lot, especially in the first weeks, since I did not understand a thing and my class wasn’t really including me.

Additionally, it stressed me to hear from other exchange students, that they made a lot of new friends during their exchange. I felt the pressure. But after overcoming the language barrier, I made some good friends in school and my handball team. It just took some time. So, don’t put too much pressure on you in the first few weeks. It takes some time to get to know people and to really connect.

I really recommend doing some sport during your exchange. It is easier to connect with others when you have something in common.

Find out more

 

Mauricio studied on high school in Austria

Mauricio from Mexico went on an exchange to Austria.

Deciding to go on an exchange with STS

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a year on exchange in Austria. It was an unforgettable experience that lasted a full school year, from September to June. I chose to do this exchange because I wanted to experience something different before finishing high school, something that would allow me to grow both personally and academically. My brother also influenced my decision of the exchange year since he was also in one

I chose Austria for several reasons. I was always fascinated by the culture, history, and, of course, its stunning Alpine landscapes. Additionally, I wanted to learn German and immerse myself in a European culture different from my own.

I chose STS because it had good recommendations and an organized process. Also, my brother was on an exchange 3 years before me. I am very happy with them; they made the whole process smooth and were available for any questions or problems that arose.

I also found the school quite easy thanks to the help of STS, the exchange organization I traveled with. They took care of everything, from enrollment to finding a host family.

Finding new hobbies

In my spare time, I discovered how much I like exercising and taking care of my body and did many activities like running, climbing, and hiking. I learned to ski in the Alps, something I had never done before. I also even took surfing classes and learned a lot about the culture and foods.

Creating new friendships

Making friends was a mix of easy and hard. At first, the language barrier was a challenge, but over time and with a lot of practice, my German improved, and I was able to communicate better. My classmates were very friendly and helped me a lot. I also met other friends from my home country who became really close to me to the point that saying goodbye was difficult.

Cultural differences – Austria vs Mexico

The differences between Austria and Mexico were significant. The pace of life, the food, the customs, and, of course, the language were very different. However, these differences were precisely what made the experience so enriching.

Expectations

My exchange year was not exactly as I expected; it was much better. There were challenges, like adapting to the language and the climate, but I overcame them with patience and effort. I learned to be more independent and to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations.

The positive aspects about going on an exchange

The best things about the exchange were the friendships I made, the new skills I acquired, and the unique experiences I had.

I absolutely recommend going on a high school exchange. Studying abroad opens your mind, challenges you, and allows you to grow in ways you never imagined. If someone asked me for advice, I would tell them to prepare for challenges but enjoy every moment. I might have studied more German before going, but I’m happy with how everything turned out.

I’m sure my exchange will positively affect my future. I’ve gained confidence, intercultural skills, and a third language that will surely benefit me in my professional and personal life.

In summary, my exchange year in Austria with STS was a transformative and highly recommended experience. If you have the chance, don’t hesitate and dare to live such an adventure!

Find out more

 

Noelle on exchange in France, joined a trip to Montpellier

During my last few weeks as an exchange student in France, I had the opportunity to join students from around the world on an excursion to Montpellier on the French Riviera.

Day 1

We arrived in Montpellier in the morning, the warm southern sun beaming down on us as we stepped off the train. We were to stay at the quaint hostel Le Maje, located in the heart of the city in a stunning, white, miniature Hausmann-style building. After dropping off our luggage, we grabbed some fresh sandwiches from a nearby boulangerie. The smell of traditional French cuisine and the lively bustling of the streets welcomed us. We were given some free time to meander around in the local shops, maybe enjoy a sorbet, and get acquainted with the other exchange students participating in this séjour. We were 17 students, so it was an intimate group where everyone could get to know each other.

We assembled in Place de la Comédie, in the heart of Montpellier, where we separated into groups of four or five, each with a different creative name. Then we were off to the races. We embarked on a rally through the town, with elusive clues and an enigmatic map to guide us. Despite getting lost once or twice, the rally was a great opportunity for us to wander through the city and discover all its narrow streets, hidden squares, and charming cafés and restaurants. When the time limit for the rally was up, we made our way to a cozy, artisanal restaurant with classic French cuisine like tartiflette and crème brûlée on the menu.

Since there were students from all around the world, our conversations were fascinating and largely culture oriented. Over our delicious meal, I learned about the haka dance performed at every school game in New Zealand, Hungarian kakashere pörkölt (rooster testicle stew), Egyptian superstition that spilling coffee is a sign of future prosperity, and the Swiss tradition of beheading poultry with a saber on St Martin’s Day.

To end the night, we went to a quiz venue with large scoreboards and bright yellow buzzers. There we tested our knowledge of French and international music, ranging from the 1950s to today. The competition was fierce, so we made sure to take our pictures beforehand, while everyone was still smiling. It was all good fun.

Tired after the eventful day, we quickly fell asleep, excited about the adventures the next day would bring.

Day 2

After enjoying a very French breakfast, consisting of croissants, brioche buns with Nutella, and orange juice, we left our hostel and walked through balmy Montpellier to the famous Musée Fabre. There, we explored L’Hôtel Cabrières – Sabatier d’Espeyran, a jewel of the decorative arts of the 18th and 19th century that allows the viewer to seep in the atmosphere and retrace the lifestyle of the aristocrats living in said époque, as well as the works of renowned European artists such as Allori, Véronèse, Ribera, Bazille, Reynolds, and Pierre Soulages.

After the museum visit, we made our way to the airy Peyrou park, crossing the royal square and passing the imposing statue of Louis XIV to find some shade underneath the trees. We sat down to eat a baguette picnic and chat. A Mexican student told me about her quinceañera while a German detailed how Oktoberfest is celebrated in her town. An Italian divulged the secret recipe for perfect pizza. A Finnish student practiced her Swedish with me as she was worried about having forgotten everything ahead of the next school year. Then, the winners of yesterday’s rally were announced and the various prizes distributed.

In the early afternoon, we set off for the beach on rental bikes. The bike ride was long and flat, and we were all of varying biking ability, but we eventually reached Palavas-Les-Flots. Relieved, we took a dip in the Mediterranean and enjoyed the late afternoon sprawled out on the sand.

Dinner was served in a beautiful restaurant right on the beach. Again, we were presented with all the French culinary favorites, such as moules marinières and brioche perdue. As it was one student’s birthday, we all sang happy birthday in our native languages. It was a chaotic but joyful tune.

We spent hours talking and enjoying various dishes before migrating onto the beach once again to watch the breathtaking sunset. This had been one amazing stay in the memorable city of Montpellier.

Read the whole story about Noelle’s exchange in France.

Find out more