Program Summary:
- Programs: Classic, Classic with area choice and High School Choice program
- Program length: Long programs only
- Vaccinations: Yes
- Discounts and Scholarship: Yes
- Language criteria: No
- Language course: No
- Soft Landing Camp: Yes
USA Program Options
Classic Program
Our Classic program will match you with a welcoming host family and place you in a nearby school. We find the host family and choose the school, and you can enjoy immersing yourself in local culture & community. These programs are perfect for students who:
* are flexible about location, and the academic experience
* want to have a cultural experience
* are interested in joining sports, clubs, and activities
* want to develop confidence and improve language skills
Classic Program Information
Age and eligibility
Students must be 15 – 17 years of age at the start of the program. Any student who is currently in their final year of high school cannot apply for a January departure the following year.
Please note some medical restrictions may apply and can be discussed further upon application.
If a perfectly adequate host family placement that is qualified by, and in accordance with, US State Department guidelines is rejected due to personal preferences including geographical, rural, metropolitan or family demographics a NZ$1,000 fee will be charged to request an alternative host family.
Please note some medical restrictions may apply and can be discussed further upon application. Allergies to household pets and/or special diets may incur an additional fee of NZ$900.
Program length
Students applying for the Year program departing in January of each will complete two Semesters with the USA summer break in the middle of their school year. Please note, we have limited spots for our January Academic Year and Semester programs.
Students applying for the Semester program will complete between 4 to 6 months based on the semester calendar of the school they are attending. Please note, the September Academic Year program will finish in June of the following year.
We are not able to offer 2 or 3 month programs to the USA due to visa restrictions. 2 & 3 month programs are available to Canada and other destinations.
Please see Short Programs for alternate destinations.
Schools
High schools in the USA offer diverse subjects, extracurricular activities, and a supportive environment. Students can explore various fields, join sports teams and clubs, and receive guidance from dedicated teachers. These schools help students grow academically, personally, and socially, preparing them for higher education or careers. American high schools empower students to discover their passions, expand their knowledge, and build a foundation for a successful future. Students on Classic programs will be placed at the local high school in their host community.
Additional fees are needed for school books, activity fees, sports check-up, lunches in the cafeteria.
Vaccinations
Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Your host school in the USA will require additional immunisations for you to be considered up to date with their national immunisation program such as Meningococcal ACWY, TB test within 6 months prior arriving in the USA, etc. Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory).
Visa
All applicants are required to apply for a visa at their own expense. This requires an appointment at the US Embassy, which may involve travelling to your nearest consulate:
- AUS: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth
- NZ: Auckland
Students cannot book their visa appointment prior to receiving either the DS2019 form (J-1 Visa).
Please note: USA immigration fees including Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee of USD$220 as well as Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee of USD$185 is charged in addition to the program fee. These fees form part of the visa application process and are required by the USA immigration authority.
Language criteria
Not applicable.
Students traveling on Australian & New Zealand passports, with programs up to 90 days, generally travel as “tourists” and do not need to apply for a visa prior departure. However, for programs extending beyond the 90-day period (including Semester & Academic Year programs), students are usually required to apply for the necessary visa.
Program Coordinators will provide the essential visa documents so students can lodge their visa application. Please note that Program Coordinators are not Registered Migration Agents and cannot represent the applicant. Program Coordinators will provide “guidance” where possible, however the responsibility of lodging the visa falls upon the student/parents. Visa application requirements differ per destination and, on top of the visa documents provided by your Program Coordinator, students will need to provide additional documents such as birth certificate, bank statements, police check certificate, passport photos, letter of parental consent, etc.
Visa application fees (set by the foreign Authority) fluctuate depending on the destination and may vary from $180 to $700. These costs exclude expenses such as translations, official stamps (Notary Public stamp, Apostille stamp), national police certificate, passports photos, express post envelopes, etc. In some cases, students must attend an in-person consulate / visa agency appointment, which may incur additional personal expenses for travel such as purchasing flights (Interstate flight or international flight if no representation in your home country), petrol costs, tolls, accommodation, etc.
Canada:
Students must have received their routine childhood vaccinations appropriate for their age. In addition, Canada requires full vaccination against Meningococcal (MenACWY). The Covid-19 vaccine is recommended but not mandatory.
USA:
Students must be up to date with their routine childhood vaccinations for their age group. Additionally, your host school in the USA will require further immunisations to meet national guidelines, such as the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine and a TB test conducted within six months before arrival. While Covid-19 vaccination is recommended, it is not mandatory.
Other Countries:
Students must be up to date with their standard childhood vaccinations. While the Covid-19 vaccine is recommended, it is not compulsory.
Australia: Department of Home Affairs, Finnish Embassy, Canberra, ACT
Australia: Foreign Embassies & Consulates
New Zealand: Foreign Embassies & Consulates
We may need to charge a flight surcharge if we cannot obtain a flight within the budget below:
Europe / UK: NZ$3,000
USA: NZ$3,200
Canada: NZ$3,500
Australia: NZ$1,500
South America: NZ$3,200
Japan: NZ$2,500
For more information, please see our Flight Surcharge Policy on our Money Matters page.
Program start dates are indicative arrivals in the destination & students attending the Soft Landing Camp (if available) will depart earlier. Program start dates serve as approximate arrival dates at the destination and subject to change as program dates are dependent upon the district that you are placed in. We will notify you of your confirmed program dates ahead of time to prevent any confusion or inconvenience.
If a student arrives on a date other than the suggested arrival dates, an additional fee will be applied. If a student departs earlier or later than the program’s schedule and requires assistance for transfers, an extra charge will be incurred. In cases where a student is travelling as an unaccompanied minor and needs special assistance at the airport, additional fees will apply. The specific costs will be determined based on the program, arrival and departure details, and any additional services required, such as meet and greet, pick-up service, or private transfers.
Please click here to learn more about the Scholarships & Discounts available.
USA Classic Prices
| Length | Program Departure | Program fee NZD | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Semester | Jan 2026 | $16,950 | Jul 31, 2025 |
| Calendar Year | Jan 2026 | $18,450 | Jul 31, 2025 |
| Academic Semester | Aug 2026 | $16,950 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| Academic Year | Aug 2026 | $17,950 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| Academic Semester | Jan 2027 | $16,950 | Jul 31, 2026 |
| Calendar Year | Jan 2027 | $18,450 | Jul 31, 2026 |
USA Program dates vary from depending on the location, all states are different as they are determined by the schools. Program start dates are indicative arrivals in the destination & students attending the Soft Landing Camp (if available) will depart earlier. Program start dates serve as approximate arrival dates at the destination and subject to change. We will notify you of your confirmed program dates ahead of time to prevent any confusion or inconvenience.
Classic program students also have the option to choose their City, Region or State. There’s no choice of school with this program.
Students who are looking to go on exchange to the USA have the option to apply for an Academic Semester or Academic Year program and choose from a range of schools or school districts in the USA. This is our full fee-paying program so students have the power to choose their location, school or district, favourite sport or subject. Unlock your exchange with USA High School Choice today!
Area choices
Students applying for the USA have the option to pick the location they would like to live in during their exchange for August departures only. The deadline for applications with Location Options close on December 15, the year prior to departure.
Students will need to complete a separate form if they’d like to select their location/s. This form is then sent with the application form to our overseas partner. If applicants are successfully placed in one of their preferred locations, then an additional location fee will be applied to the normal program price.
r placement on one of these limited spots will be confirmed when your application is received by our office, accepted and your deposit paid.
Please note, eligibility criteria applies for Area Requests:
- B average or higher
- No allergies (dogs, cats, nuts etc.)
- No dietary restrictions
- No pre-existing medical conditions
Location selection options are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
High School Choice
Students who are looking to go on exchange to the USA have the option to apply for a semester or academic year program and choose from a range of schools or school districts in the USA.
Our USA High School Choice program allows students to enter the USA on an F1 visa. In addition to choosing where they would like to study while on exchange, the F1 visa allows the applicant to attend school on a full academic program. This provides the opportunity to gain study credits and diplomas needed to attend a University in the USA.
Soft Landing Camp in New York
Optional at an additional cost NZ$2,150
Please check with your Program Coordinator to see if you are eligible to join this Soft Landing Camp as availability depends on where your host family lives in the USA. August programs only.
Soft Landing Camp:
- Stay in a double or triple room for three nights
- Breakfast
- Important preparatory meetings
- Networking with other students
- Camp Leaders assistance you thorough your stay
- Sightseeing tours at Manhattan
- All transport between airport, hotel and Manhattan
- Lunch and dinner is not included, we will make sure to give you information on what’s most affordable
Agenda (example only):
Day 1: Flights from your destination to Newark, check-in at the hotel and arrival information meeting Day 2: Information meeting, Sightseeing
Day 3: Information meeting, Sightseeing
Day 4: Departure to your host family
Please note that the program is subject to change and a flight surcharge may apply.
LIVE Online sessions
If you would like to find out more information on our programs, please attend one of our free LIVE Online Information Sessions to:
- Meet our staff
- Hear comprehensive information on all aspects of exchange
- Ask questions
- See questions asked by other students and parents
Information evenings run for about an hour.
They are friendly, free and are the best way for us to address your specific questions in person.
Worldwide High School Online Brochure
For an overview of our programs, our team will send you our Worldwide High School Online Brochure.
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