--- title: Why Being a High School Exchange Student is the Coolest Thing Ever! description: Discover why being a high school exchange student is the coolest thing ever! Choose your dream destination, dive into the culture, gain cool skills, and make memories that'll last a lifetime. Find out more and take the plunge today! image: https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/study%20abroad.jpeg --- [![ices@2x](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png?width=77&name=ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png)](https://www.icesusa.org/)   - [INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/international-student-exchange-programs/) - [HOST A STUDENT](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/) - [AMERICAN STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/american-student-exchange-programs/) - [WORK WITH US](https://www.icesusa.org/student-exchange-careers-and-partnerships/) - [ABOUT US](https://www.icesusa.org/about-us-overview/) - [CONTACT US](https://www.icesusa.org/contact-ices/) - [BLOG](https://blog.icesusa.org) [Let's Talk](https://blog.icesusa.org/contact)subscribe ### I’d like to learn more about Campaign Creators! read # Why Being a High School Exchange Student is the Coolest Thing Ever! By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/study%20abroad.jpeg) Hey there, future globe-trotter! Ever dreamt of breaking free from the regular high school routine, choosing your dream destination, and embarking on an epic adventure that's both educational and loads of fun? Well, being a [high school exchange student](https://www.icesusa.org/american-student-exchange-programs/) is your ticket to just that! ## **Choose Your Dream Destination** Imagine picking the country you've always wanted to explore. [Italy's delicious pizza](https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-types-of-traditional-italian-pizza-in-the-world), Thailand's vibrant culture, Costa Rica's stunning landscapes, or the coolness of more than a dozen other countries – it's all within your reach! Being an exchange student means you get to call the shots and decide where your high school journey takes you. ![girl with Italian host family at airport](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/image-png-Sep-30-2023-10-22-58-6592-PM.png) *Eva from Vermont meeting her host family in Italy*   ## **Customize the Duration of Your Program** Whether you want a single semester escapade or a full-blown academic year adventure, the choice is yours. High school exchange programs let you tailor your experience to [match your schedule](https://blog.icesusa.org/study-abroad-semester-or-academic-year) and what you're looking to get out of it.   ## **ICES Has Your Back** Here's the deal: ICES has your back.  Our U.S. staff will guide you through the application process and remain available throughout your exchange.  We also have overseas partners who work hard to secure you a cool host family and a spot in a local high school. That's right – you get to live like a local and really soak up the culture. ![boy in front of Spanish school](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Kevin_Spain.jpg?width=522&height=627&name=Kevin_Spain.jpg)*Kevin from Colorado on his first day of school in Spain* ## **Dive into the Culture** Living with a host family and attending a local high school is [where the magic happens](https://blog.tourismacademy.org/understanding-different-cultures). You'll eat, sleep, and breathe like the locals, learning their customs, traditions, and everyday life. Plus, you'll make friends for life among your host family and classmates. ![teens in school uniform](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-30-2023-10-19-20-8711-PM.png?width=649&height=498&name=image-png-Sep-30-2023-10-19-20-8711-PM.png)*Gracie (back left) from Vermont celebrates with classmates in Costa Rica* ## **Far From Home But Never Alone** Being far from home can be daunting.  But guess what?  You're never alone in this epic journey.  Throughout your time abroad,  you'll have a local coordinator to answer your questions and help you out. So, you can focus on soaking up the adventure. ## **Gaining Cool Skills** While you're out there exploring, you're also leveling up your [life skills](https://blog.icesusa.org/7-things-i-learned-on-exchange-that-prepared-me-for-college). Learning a new language? Check! Developing independence and maturity? Double check! You'll become a problem-solving, adaptable, and resilient champ. These skills will come in handy big time down the road. ![girl with host family outdoors](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Balmer%20HF.jpg?width=534&height=407&name=Balmer%20HF.jpg)*Shelby from Minnesota with her host family in Norway* ## **The Fun Factor** Oh, and let's not forget the fun part! Being an exchange student is like a never-ending adventure. You'll go on epic outings, explore amazing places, and build friendships with people from all over the world. It's not just educational; it's an absolute blast! ## **Life-Altering Impact** Get this: for many, their time abroad as an exchange student is THE most life-changing experience. It'll broaden your horizons, [shape your future](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-study-abroad-experiences-landed-me-my-first-job), and make you look at the world in a whole new way. Those friendships, lessons, and cultural insights? They'll stay with you forever. ![girl in cap and gown holding Costa Rica flag](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Olive.jpeg?width=595&height=466&name=Olive.jpeg)*Olive from Oregon cherishes her semester in Costa Rica* ## **Take the Plunge!** If you're itching to be a high school exchange student, don't wait! Get in touch with ICES to find out more about the opportunities and how to get started. Your epic journey into the world of cultural exchange is just a step away – it's an adventure you won't regret. In a nutshell, being a high school exchange student is not just an adventure; it's the coolest thing ever! So why wait? Take the plunge, choose your dream destination, and let the adventure begin. It's time to make memories that'll last a lifetime! [![Study Abroad with ICES Learn More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5594019/6c159db2-29e3-449a-ba76-51d15aa84328.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5594019/6c159db2-29e3-449a-ba76-51d15aa84328) Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Study Abroad](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/study-abroad), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ### Related Articles ## [Mid-Year Check: Make Your Year Great!](https://blog.icesusa.org/mid-year-check-make-your-year-great) *( read )* Topics: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Study Abroad](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/study-abroad), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ## [Why January Is the Best Time to Say Yes to Hosting](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-january-is-the-best-time-to-say-yes-to-hosting) *( read )* Topics: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Study Abroad](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/study-abroad), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ## [How Different Cultures Celebrate the New Year](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-different-cultures-celebrate-the-new-year) *( read )* Topics: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Study Abroad](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/study-abroad), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ### Subscribe to The Chronicles of Marketing Newsletter ### Posts by Tag - [Cultural Exchange (141)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange) - [Exchange Student (106)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student) - [Host Families (97)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families) - [Host an exchange student (78)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student) - [Youth Exchange (68)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ## Subscribe to Our Blog Today! ![Boris_ICES_Ads](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Boris_ICES_Ads.png?width=749&height=698&name=Boris_ICES_Ads.png) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kari Owens", "url" : "https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens" }, "dateModified" : "2023-10-02T19:02:55.464Z", "datePublished" : "2023-10-02T19:02:55.000Z", "headline" : "Why Being a High School Exchange Student is the Coolest Thing Ever!", "image" : [ "https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/study%20abroad.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.icesusa.org/why-being-a-high-school-exchange-student-is-the-coolest-thing-ever", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" }, "name" : "International Cultural Exchange Services" } } ```