The United States is one of YFU’s most popular destinations for Australian and New Zealand high school students, and it’s easy to see why. From small Midwest towns to Pacific coastal suburbs, the USA places you in the heart of a culture that feels familiar yet reveals itself as genuinely foreign the longer you stay. No language barrier, a school system built around student involvement, and a country vast enough that no two placements feel alike – the USA offers an exchange experience that rewards curiosity at every turn.
YFU is the only student exchange organisation with dedicated airport assistance staff on the ground in the USA, providing on-call support for domestic connections, and full assistance – including accommodation, meals, and a trusted chaperone – in the event of unexpected travel delays. For parents sending their teenager overseas for the first time, this matters.
USA high schools generally include students from 14 to 18 years of age. Schools in the USA offer a comprehensive choice of subjects ranging from academic courses to vocational and practical courses that teach job and life skills.
Just as there is great diversity amongst American families, there is great variety amongst American high schools. Many schools have sports teams or clubs that you may like to join and we encourage students to be involved in activities like this, to really surround yourself in the typical American teenage lifestyle.
US high schools typically serve students aged 14-18 and run on a semester or trimester system. Course selection is broad and flexible, spanning Advanced Placement (AP) academic subjects, arts, technology, and practical life skills courses. Most schools offer an extensive range of after-school sports, performing arts, and student clubs. Exchange students are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one extracurricular activity – it transforms the experience.
There is no language requirement for exchanges to the USA.
Experience the warmth of the American Midwest at Scecina Memorial High School, a top Catholic co-educational school in the heart of Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1953 and home to around 445 students, Scecina offers a close knit community with an excellent student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1, giving you the personal attention and genuine connections that make an exchange experience truly transformative.
Academically, Scecina offers a broad curriculum including Advanced Placement (AP) courses in subjects ranging from Biology and Chemistry to US History and Psychology. Students with a passion for the arts will find plenty to explore through music, ceramics, visual communication, and more, while ESL support is available to help students settle in with confidence.
Outside the classroom, students can join clubs such as Drama, Robotics and Engineering, or the National Honor Society, and take part in school sports including football, basketball, swimming, soccer, tennis, and more depending upon arrival period and availability.
Find out more: https://www.scecina.org/
YFU is proud to be the only student exchange organisation offering dedicated airport assistance staff on the ground in the USA, giving parents added peace of mind during international travel. This service provides on call support for domestic flight connections and full assistance in the event of unexpected delays, including hotel accommodation, meals, transport, and a trusted chaperone. With YFU’s strong focus on safety and care, students enjoy a smoother, more secure travel experience when arriving in the USA.
The USA is a country of diversity and covers a large geographic area. YFU students are placed throughout the country in every state, including Alaska! Although images on television often portray large metropolitan areas, your host family will most likely live in a medium to small sized city, a small town, or in a suburban or rural setting.
Part of your learning experience will be to adjust to new practices, foods and rules, including helping with chores around the house, even if you are not used to doing this at home.
American high schools are unlike anything back home. Students move between classrooms for different subjects, join sports teams, clubs, and school productions, and are encouraged to shape their own timetable from a wide menu of academic, vocational, and elective courses. Extra-curricular life is central to the American high school experience – joining a team or club is one of the fastest ways to make friends and feel part of the community.
Most YFU students are placed with families in medium to small cities, suburban areas, or rural settings – not the metropolitan centres you see on TV. That’s deliberate: genuine immersion happens when you’re living local life, not tourist life. Expect to help with household chores, eat at family mealtimes, and settle into routines that will feel strange at first and familiar by month two.
There is no language requirement for the USA program – your English from home is your passport in.
You can study for either 3, 5 or 10 months depending on the departure period’
YFU places students across all 50 states, including Alaska. Most placements are in medium or small cities, suburban towns, or rural areas – not major metropolitan centres. Your specific placement is matched to your profile.
US high schools run classes from around 7:30–8am to 2:30–3pm. Students choose from a broad range of subjects each semester and are encouraged to join at least one sport or club outside of class time.
YFU asks families to wait until the final weeks of the program before visiting, as mid-exchange visits can disrupt the immersion process. All visits in the final period require prior YFU approval.
YFU is the only student exchange organisation with staff on the ground at US airports. The service covers on-call support for domestic connections, and in the event of delays: hotel accommodation, meals, transport, and a trusted chaperone.
Yes, students are responsible for obtaining their own visa. This includes attending an appointment at a US Embassy or Consulate, which may require travel. Visa appointments can only be booked once the DS-2019 form (for a J-1 Visa) has been issued. Please note that USA immigration fees are payable in addition to the program fee, including the SEVIS fee (USD$220) and the MRV fee (USD$185), both of which are mandatory as part of the visa application process.’
Enrolment in a public or private school for the first semester and placement in an NGO project for the second semester
Placement in an NGO project (Typically related to childcare, women's care, environmental NGOs)
Our standard all-inclusive program price with no hidden fees.
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, plus receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting a student*
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting* plus a further $2500 discount when you book your own flights**
*The host a student reimbursement is a payment of $100AUD/$120NZD per week
**When you book your own flights, you will be required to adhere to specific travel dates and arrival times in the destination country. This offer does not include exchange programs to Thailand, Korea, or China.
As everybody is speaking about the FIFA World Cup, millions of people around the globe are gathering to cheer for their favourite teams, celebrate different cultures, and experience the excitement that only a global event can create. But while the World Cup lasts only a few weeks, there’s another international experience that can change your life forever: going on a youth exchange.
The Youth Empowerment Seminar is one of YFU’s largest international youth events, bringing together exchange students, volunteers, facilitators and educators from across the globe for an unforgettable week of learning, leadership and intercultural dialogue.
Cebrail, who spent a life-changing year on an exchange program from New Zealand to Turkey, reflects on his biggest discoveries and lessons learned.
Enquire today about this program. We’ve got experts ready to assist with any enquiry about the countries, programs and the process.
Simply register and attend one of our in-person Information Evenings and you will automatically get $100 off your program fee.
