Considering Study In a Foreign Country

I have been studying French for five years. Now I would like to go to France and study during my junior year in high school. Everyone says that I'm too young and to wait and go when I'm in college. Nevertheless, I'm determined to go now. I'm fairly mature and self-confident. How do I find a good program? -- High-School Junior
Answer: Your high school should have some information about exchange programs, especially summer programs. Plus, it's easy to find programs by going online and using a search engine. However, you must examine these programs very carefully. Ask these questions: Who is the sponsor of this program? Who are the leaders? Where will I live? If you will live with a foreign family, who will check out this family? How much will it cost? How much spending money will I need? How much contact will I have with foreign students and with other American students? How good is the curriculum? Will the local high school give me credit for the program's courses? In what language will the instruction be?
Even if you like the answers to these questions, you need to do more. Contact the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (www.csiet.org) to see if the program or programs you are considering meet this organization's standards. It identifies reputable international youth organizations that will give you a meaningful and safe experience. In addition, it is very helpful to contact students who have participated in the programs that interest you to find out what the nitty-gritty of daily life is like on them.