High School in America

Ideal for Transition Year students who are willing to commit a half or full year abroad. Learn all about the American dream by living with a host family and attending an American public high school. Side by side with other American teenagers, your child will act as an ambassador for Ireland as an exchange student and will have the opportunity to see the real America, unlike what is seen in Hollywood and on TV. Spaces are extremely limited as the US visa quota for students fills quickly. Apply early so as not to miss out on this brilliant opportunity.

some participants playing volleyball- after a shaky start I grew to love that game, it's brilliant!: some participants playing volleyball- after a shaky start I grew to love that game, it's brilliant!


Host families

Students are placed with volunteer American host families. Host families are selected based on a variety of criteria by local coordinators that live in the regional area. Host families come in all sizes and make-ups. Suitable host families include single parents, blended families, childless couples, empty nesters and multi-generational families. Students should be open - minded to what their host family may be. EIL nor our US partner organization discriminate against any particular race, religion, class, occupation or colour. Any student or parent of a student who expresses discriminatory attitudes can be refused participation on the programme.

Families are volunteers and receive no allowance for hosting international students. This concept of payment is unique to Ireland and Britain. Therefore the motivation to host international students is not monetarily based; host families have a genuine interest in learning about the countries of their students and exposing themselves and their children to another culture by hosting. Some hold the belief that hosting a student from Ireland is the next best thing to visiting Ireland itself. Your child is truly considered a member of the family, equal in rights and duties, and they share the day-to-day life, including leisure and outings; in return they are asked to comply with family rules, which might include some minor tasks like washing the dishes or cleaning their bedroom.

The host family is seen as being responsible for the students' welfare and we insist on their role as "parents". Our main criteria for a host family is a warm, caring, and comfortable home environment for students to be nurtured and thrive in.

Students maybe placed in any region of America. Requests for regional requests are not considered. Students should have an open mind to where in America they will live, whether is be rural, small towns, suburban or urban. Rarely are students placed in big cities. Whether the population is 1000 people or 100,000, the diversity of America is part of what makes it such a unique country and Study Abroad experience.

School

Exchange students are placed in a local public high school. Their year in school is determined by age and school reports and is at the discretion of the school in which they are accepted. As American schools are not nationally run, but differ by state and county, the subjects offered vary. Particular subjects cannot be guaranteed nor can specific sports and extra curricular activities. From experience, we find that facilities and sports tend to be far more diverse than here in Ireland. Students are welcome to partake in all the school has to offer and participating in sports and clubs is the best way to make friends and integrate into school groups.

When filling out your application, make sure to indicate the sports, activities and music you actually intend to participate in as this will help in the placement process.

Transportation

International and local flights are not included in the programme fees. Round trip air transportation to the US and all domestic transportation to and from the host community are required. Upon arrival in the US all students must be in possession of a return ticket valid for twelve months.

No flights are to be booked without getting confirmation from EIL. Once the student has been placed, EIL will notify you as to where the students’ final destination should be. Either the host family or the local coordinator will collect them from that point to bring them home.

Local transport to and from school is also not included. Students should be prepared and budget for this. The host family and local coordinator will help them sign up for transport if necessary and will depend on the community.

Important conditions

The US programme has many important conditions of participation that should be seriously considered before applying. The application should be read thoroughly by both students and parents before signing and submitting.

  • Students have to be between 15 and 18 ½ years old when they start the program.
  • We cannot accept students who have officially graduated from high school.
  • EIL can only accept students who are current residents of the Republic or Northern Ireland.
  • We will not accept a student who failed any of their classes.
  • We cannot accept any students who have had, or current have a mental disorder or eating disorder.
  • Most host families have pets, so if student has any medical problems with pets, detailed information has to be filled out. If a student has allergies or does not like pets, this may delay their placement.
  • Doctor’s care and Medication: Students should write all the detailed information on their application. They should list all the prescription and non-prescription drugs and for what reasons they are taking them. If we have a student who is on medications that were not listed or explained on the application, disciplinary action or dismissal from the programme may result.
  • Location of placement for each participant will be at the sole discretion of CHI (US partner organization)
  • Students may not change a host family placement at will.
  • If a student is dismissed/expelled from a U.S. school they will be dismissed from the programme and must return to Ireland immediately.
  • Should a student break U.S. law or a program rule or otherwise exhibit behavior detrimental to the program, such student will be evaluated to determine if the student will be dismissed from the program or put on a probationary agreement.
  • Should a student be dismissed, s/he must return immediately to his/her home country and we will notify SEVIS that the student is no longer enrolled in the school and is no longer eligible for the USDS J-1 visa status.
  • If a student is dismissed from the programme or leaves the programme on their own accord, there will be no refund of fees and the cost of repatriation and changing of flights is the responsibility of the natural parents.
  • The USDS J-1 is a single entry visa. Student may not return home for holidays (including Christmas) or family visits.
  • Many host families attend their Church regularly and for many it is a big part of their social life. We recommend that students go to Church with the host family to learn about the family’s culture/traditions and find new friends. However, if a student has any problems attending religious services, we need to know it before placing the student.
  • Immunization records: Each State/School has different requirements. We gather the immunization information from our field staff and made the new general requirements. They often change from year to year. Hopefully these requirements will apply for the majority of students. However, if a student is placed in a State or a School that has extra requirements, the student has to take the additional vaccinations and submit the appropriate documents to us. If BCG vaccination was given, or TB skin test result was “Positive”, Chest X-ray (Date and Result) must be provided.
  • Students cannot drive any vehicle during the program (except for practice or test using a driving school vehicle). If student obtains a driving permit or driver’s license, they must be turned over to the CHI coordinator until the end of the program.

More conditions and rules are contained in the application forms.

FAQ

Questions

Answers

  • Can I go with a friend?

    No, this is an individual programme for independent students. Friends who apply will be handled as separate applications and placements. Similarly, siblings will be separated into different regions. We find friends and siblings fair better when not together.

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  • Will I or Can I host a student from the USA?

    No you won’t be required as it is not a condition of participation. This is a one-way exchange and not reciprocal. If students make friends while on their programme, any reciprocal arrangement must be made on a private basis.

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  • My child is into sports and music. Can you place them accordingly in to a school that specializes?

    Possibly. Although we can never guarantee this, hobbies and interests are considered very important information as it enables us to find a host family best suited to the student. Make sure that student checks the sports which the student actually plays and will want to play in the U.S, The same for music: Make sure that student check the musical instruments which the student actually plays.

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  • Can I be placed in a city?

    Most host families live in towns, suburbs or rural areas and not in popular urban centres such as New York, Chicago, Boston, etc. The placement is at the sole digression of the US partner organization. A condition of acceptance is that the student and parents are open to any region in the US.

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  • What are the dates?

    Normally, schools start the last week in August and end during late June, but dates vary from region to region. EIL will notify you as soon as possible when to book flights. Students normally arrive a week before school officially begins and students must return no later than a week after school finishes according to J-1 regulations. Your programme dates will be determined after placement so you must be flexible.

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Dates/Prices

Deadlines for applications

Student application materials must be completed filled out and submitted to the EIL office by March 15th for August arrival and by September 15th for January arrivals.

** There may be the possibility of accepting a late booking for August arrival - enquire today! **

Prices 2010/11 Academic Year

Duration Price
5 months (Semester) €3767
10 months (Full academic year) €4809

 

Programme Includes

  • Locating, interviewing, screening and selection of a suitable host family.
  • Board and room with the host family except for lunches taken at school.
  • Processing of the student application, academic counseling and placement in the high school.
  • Local counseling support throughout the year by the academic coordinator and local regional coordinator.
  • Supervision by partner headquarters staff.
  • Issuance of form DS-2019 to obtain J-1 exchange visitor visa.
  • Transportation to and from the local airport nearest the host family home.
  • Student orientation upon arrival in the US.
  • Pre-departure orientation in Cork.
  • Medical Travel Insurance with CareMed.

 

Program excludes

  • Round trip air transportation to the host country and all domestic transportation to and from the host community. Upon arrival in the host country all students must be in possession of a return ticket valid for twelve months.
  • Administration of students monthly spending allowance.
  • Lunches taken at school.
  • Cost of independent travel if and when such travel is permitted.
  • Textbooks and school supplies when not provided by high school.
  • Cost of personal items including toiletries, long distance phone calls, etc.
  • Transportation to and from school.
  • SEVIS and US embassy fees.
  • Trip cancellation insurance.

Apply

  • Complete all forms included in the AYP CHI Application along with EIL Study Abroad application including our terms and conditions.
  • All school reports and transcripts must have official school stamp or seal.
  • All medical records and immunization records must be completed and signed or stamped by a GP.
  • Please use the checklist to be sure you have included all portions of the application.
  • Incomplete applications will not be accepted and returned.
  • Please make sure the application is neat and legible. These forms will be read by both schools and families and will impact your placement.
  • Do not staple or glue together, but use a paper clip.
  • Deposit required with application is 25% of the total programme fee.
  • If a student is not accepted on the programme for any reason, deposit will be refunded.
  • Once a student is accepted and the placement process begins, cancellation means loss of deposit.
  • All SEVIS and US embassy fees are to be paid by the applicant and interview with US Embassy in Dublin is to be arranged by the participant once DS 2019 is issued.
  • Before DS 2019 is issued, all fees must be paid in full.
  • Once placement and visa documents are arranged, cancellation means loss of balance.
  • No refunds are issued for early withdrawal from the programme.

Blogs/Photos

Photos: 

Currently there are no photos to display in this section, but check back soon as we're adding them as soon as we receive them from our participants.

Stories: 

Claudia Carrolls Vermont adventure so far...
12 Jul 2010 - 9:38am

After a week and a half in the US I am still amazed at the friendliness and enthusiasm of every participant at the Governors' Institute Program. The classes are fascinating whether they be workshops, issue groups or topicals. My issue group, Politics, was a series of intense thought-provoking discussions on every aspect of modern democratic systems. Unfortunately, our teacher, the ever open-minded Tim Kipp, was struck with health problems for the second half of the programme, but we instead enjoyed equally engaging classes on leadership.

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