Each destination country has different deadlines, but in general you can apply between 15 to 5 months prior to departure. Please note that EF High School Year only accepts a limited number of students every year. Many of our destinations get fully booked prior to our application deadline, we therefore recommend you to apply as early as possible. Do not hesitate to contact us, even if you are late. Sometimes we get late cancellations and we might be able to accept late applications.

You can apply today on our website! Your initial application is not binding. It is a first step that allows you to learn more about EF High School Year and see if it is the right program for you. When you have applied to our program we will invite you and your parents to a non-binding interview.  After the interview, you will fill out a complete application that we will use to match you with a host family. 

It is not possible to cross credit any study from your exchange year to NCEA, however many schools are willing to work with students in order to allow them to fit an exchange experience in with their schooling in New Zealand. Have a talk with your Careers Counsellor to discuss the best option for you.

All students who complete the EF High School Year Overseas are issued with a Certificate Completion, and this, along with the grades you recieve whilst on exchange can go towards discretionary entrance into University.

Bilingual program in Canada – Minimum one semester of French to enter a French-speaking high school. 

Costa Rica – Minimum one year of Spanish is recommended

France and French-speaking Canada - Minimum two years of French /p>

Germany – Minimum one year of German or at least 60 hours of German lessons

Hong Kong – Prior knowledge of Cantonese or Mandarin is an advantage

Yes, you will need a visa for most of our host countries. Your EF-office will assist you to obtain the visa. Please note that visa costs are not included in the program fee.

Yes, if EF has a local representative nearby and we can secure a school slot in the family’s region, it is possible for you to stay with this family during your exchange year. EF needs to be notified about this potential host family before your application is sent to your host country. Please note that even if you know this family well, they have to go through the same screening process as all our host families. In the USA, the family cannot be a relative of yours, due to visa regulations.

EF High School Year is an academic program, and while most of our exchange students participate in sports at their high school or outside school, this is nothing we can guarantee.

In some host countries this is possible, though it can never be guaranteed.

EF offers regional choices in the USA, France and Germany. It is important to apply early if you are interested in making a regional choice. Please note that regional choice is not a guarantee. If EF cannot find a suitable host family in your chosen region, we will look for a family outside this region and we will refund the regional choice fee to you.

If you apply early to the program, you might be able to make the same regional choice as your friend, but we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in the same town or high school. Remember, one purpose of a student exchange is to broaden your horizons: to meet new friends and experience new things. Successful exchange students are willing and eager to be independent.

As soon as you have submitted your complete application to EF, we will begin searching for a great host family for you. Usually our students get information about their placement between 2 months to 3 weeks prior to departure.

Experience tells us that despite thorough preparation for both the student and host family, communication difficulties may arise. In some cases, cultural differences can be challenging before the family and student become familiar with each other. If that happens, the local EF representative’s role is to support both parties in finding a solution so that the relationship between student and family can continue. If conditions in the host family change so they are not able to continue hosting you, or if there is a major problem that cannot be worked out, EF will work on finding you a new host family. Finding a new host family usually takes from 3 to 8 weeks. Our first attempt is always to find a new family within the same school district.

Every year EF High School Year awards scholarships to a number of students. The choice of scholars is based on the student application as well as grades, financial need and recommendation. EF offers partial scholarships for up to $2000.00 for semester or year applicants only.

Contact the Auckland EF office for more information on available scholarships and how to apply.

We recommend that you calculate approximate USD 250-300 for personal expenses per month. The below is NOT included in the program fee for the program:

Travel Insurance

Pocket money

Phone expenses

Transportation to and from school

School books (expect for mandatory classes)

School lunches

Travels in the host country

Personal Toiletries 

Clothes

Club memberships and free time activities

Possible School uniform

Visa costs

Cost for excess luggage

The Discovery Tours arranged by EF in your host country usually take place during school vacations. The EF office in your host country will send you information about tours to your host family’s, address and you will be able to sign up for the tours during your EF exchange year as they become available.