Contact us : 022 827 36 00
Contact us : 022 827 36 00
The AILS High School Standard Program offers you the opportunity to experience life as an American student and stay with a volunteer host family for a semester or academic year. In this option, which is the most cost-effective, the American school administration selects the assigned school and host family. This program allows you to have a unique experience and discover an unfamiliar region!
| Academic Semester | $12,595 CHF |
| Academic Year | $13,995 CHF |
When we think of the United States, we imagine a vast country. But the United States is also a collection of 50 states that enjoy great independence in terms of economy, society, education, and judiciary.
The United States is a combination of mountains, canyons, lakes, plains, majestic forests, and arid deserts. Like the landscapes, American culture is diverse because it is influenced by the various ethnicities that have shaped this new world.
The United States is the epitome of a multicultural nation: since the early 19th century, over 75 million immigrants from around the world have settled there. Today, Whites represent about 70% of the country's population, Hispanics 13%, Blacks 12%, Asians 3%, and Native Americans 1%.
All these communities coexist while retaining their particularities. The concept of the salad bowl, which emphasizes complementarity, has gradually replaced the melting pot ideology, which advocated for the complete assimilation of immigrant populations into American lifestyles.
Regardless of their origins, most Americans attach great importance to family life. Your host family will expect you to integrate as a full-fledged member of the household.
Throughout your stay, you will participate in the family's usual activities, such as visiting friends, going shopping, getting involved in local community life, and sharing household chores.
Youth in America study for a minimum of 12 years (Primary School + Secondary School), just like us. You will attend a local high school.
In general, high school covers the last four years of secondary education:
Grade 9 (Freshman) - 11th grade (end of compulsory education)
Grade 10 (Sophomore) - 1st year of college
Grade 11 (Junior) - 2nd year of college
Grade 12 (Senior) - 3rd year of college
In many American schools, the choice of subjects is enormous, catering to all interests: psychology, sociology, literature, pottery, drama, journalism, speech, media, architectural drawing, computer science, and of course, the more traditional subjects.
No need to panic! To help you choose at the beginning of the year, your host family and the guidance counselor can provide guidance.
Some courses last for a semester, giving you the opportunity to switch subjects halfway through the year.
The choice is equally important in sports, cultural activities, and social clubs: football, baseball, tennis, swimming, track and field, basketball, volleyball, charity club, student council, marching band, cheerleading, debate club, speech club, yearbook staff, and more—all within the school (availability varies depending on the school size)! This will be a unique opportunity for you to flourish in subjects and activities that you are not familiar with. It will also be the perfect opportunity to integrate into American life and get to know the young people in your community.
A typical day in high school starts with a hearty breakfast, where you might have pancakes with maple syrup or cereal with milk.
Once your belly is full, it's off to school, perhaps on the famous yellow school bus. Classes usually begin around 8 a.m. You'll have 5 to 7 subjects (US history and English are usually mandatory). Around 12:30 p.m., it's time for lunch.
When classes end around 2:45 p.m., it's time for extracurricular activities. Try to join as many activities or sports as possible; it's the best way to integrate into the school community!
After school, you can participate in family activities or hang out with friends from school. Weekends are dedicated to school sports competitions or family activities. It's also a great opportunity to support your high school teams. Life in the United States is very different from ours, and each day will bring lots of fun little details to discover.
"I came here because I wanted to experience life in the USA. My brother is also participating in this program. I love my host family; it's great to live with a different family and in a new culture. This program allowed me to attend a real American high school, and it's an amazing experience that I will never forget."
- Alina, young student
"A big thank you to your organization for taking care of Johanna during her program. And a huge thank you for finding her such a wonderful host family. She was treated as a full-fledged family member and not just as a guest; it's perfect! We are truly delighted with her experience, and she is even more so!"
- Marie, Johanna's mother, regarding our correspondent in the USA
"I have to admit that at first, we were a little worried when we welcomed Cédric. The language barrier, customs, and even the house rules that were inevitably different... But very quickly, Cédric integrated into the family. Rick, our 10-year-old son, was so proud to walk around with his 'big brother,' and he would proclaim it to anyone who would listen. Now Cédric has returned to France. We miss him dearly, but we plan to visit him and his parents at Christmas. We can't wait to see our second son again! And Rick is excited to see his big brother!"
- Samantha and Tom, host parents
Before you begin, you have the option to participate in a 3-day program in New York City with other participants. It's a unique opportunity to get to know each other and meet other AILS participants! We take care of everything on-site: airport transfer by bus, sightseeing tours (Manhattan, Wall Street, Boat ride with a view of the Statue of Liberty, 5th Avenue...), accommodation... The group is accompanied until the end of the 3 days in New York where we assist participants in checking in for their connecting flights to their host families.
The mini-trip is not included in the cost of your program, and your participation is optional. It includes transfers, bus transportation, admission tickets for the included attractions, hotel accommodation, airport pick-up, and guidance during the 3 days.
The mini-trip is only available for departures organized by AILS between late July and early September. If the American school requires the presence of the student before the New York city trip, AILS must comply with this request. As we have multiple departures to the United States, this is rare but can happen. In this case, AILS reimburses the cost of the mini-trip to the concerned student if they had registered for it.
* Individual and personalized information
* Language proficiency test
* Individual selection
* Assistance with application preparation
* AILS office support and "Hit the Road" meeting before departure
* School search and enrollment formalities in the chosen country
* Tuition and accommodation fees
* Weekday half-board, weekend and holiday full-board
* Host family search, selection, and placement formalities
* Administrative procedures with local authorities and provision of necessary documents for visa application
* Arrival orientation session in the host country
* Regular evaluation and contact by a local representative and your AILS advisor
* Assistance and support throughout the AILS program duration
* Assistance and support for parents from the AILS office during the program
* Airport pickup and transfer to the host family
* Student pack
* Return evaluation meeting
* School course completion certificate
* 3 progress reports per year, 2 reports per semester
* 24/7 emergency contact number provided by the host organization
* Airline ticket (only for the Standard High School Program)
* Extended health insurance
* Local public transportation
* Passport, visa, and vaccination fees
* Pocket money (including leisure activities, outings, small school expenses, phone usage, public transportation, school transportation, books/CDs/DVDs, sports clothing, excursions...)
* Uniform (if applicable)
* Airline ticket (except for the Standard High School Program)
Age
- High School Standard: 15 to 18 years and 6 months**
- High School Plus USA: 14 to 19 years*
- High School Plus Canada: 11 to 19 years*
- High School Standard and Plus Germany: 14 to 17 years
- High School Boarding Germany: 13 to 17 years
* Certain American/Canadian school districts in our Standard and Flex programs do not accept students who have completed their studies, regardless of age at the time of departure.
** See specific conditions below
Level
A2-B1. Language test required if the program demands it.
Duration
* One trimester, one semester, or one school year
* Start and end dates vary depending on the destination and country.
Departure
* Mid-July to mid-September, depending on the chosen destination for summer departures
* Mid-December to mid-February, depending on the chosen destination for winter departures
- Age between 15 and 18 years and 6 months maximum at the time of departure
(Must be 15 years old by June 1st for students departing in August, and by November 1st for those departing in January)
- Intermediate to advanced level of English (you will be evaluated by our agency)
- Adequate academic level
- No grade repetition
- Up-to-date vaccinations
- Obtain a J-1 visa (we will assist you with the process)
- No allergies to pets and dust (other medical conditions may also be grounds for refusal)
High School Standard Application Deadlines:
For a semester or full year in August/September 2017: Deadline March 31, 2017
For a semester in January 2018: Deadline October 15, 2017
Spots are limited, so don't hesitate to apply as early as possible!
1. Gather Information
Visit one of our offices, attend a fair, or contact us via email or phone to gather information about the High School program. We are available to discuss and assist you in planning your project.
2. Candidate Selection
Prior to your enrollment, we will verify if you meet all the admission requirements for the High School program. We will also assess your English language level to ensure it meets the program's criteria.
3. Registration
If you decide to enroll, complete the registration form or print it and send it back to us via email, fax, or mail along with a deposit of 2,000 CHF or 1,700 EUR for J1 USA programs, and 1,300 CHF or 1,000 EUR for all other High School programs. We will contact you to confirm your registration.
4. AILS File
Once your registration is processed by our team, we will contact you to complete your online file, including personal information, academic records, medical records, etc. Our counselors will guide you through these steps and regularly follow up with you to ensure that your file progresses smoothly and is complete.
5. Acceptance
Upon receiving your complete file, we usually receive your acceptance within an average of 2 weeks. The search for your host family is then initiated.
It may take some time before your placement date is confirmed, and it could be close to your departure date, especially for the High School Standard program. However, this is a normal procedure in such cases. Our counselors diligently follow up on your file and provide you with information as soon as it is available.
* Host Family: We visit the potential host family and interview its members to better assess their ability and motivation to host a student. After this step, once the family is accepted, they are free to choose the student they wish to host. This approach contributes to the success of the placement.
* School: You will be placed in a local school and follow the same secondary education program as local students. Depending on the country, you may have a range of subjects to choose from.
6. Approaching Departure
We assist you in preparing your file, guide you through the visa application process, arrange medical insurance (if needed), and can also book your flights upon request. A few weeks before your departure, you will be invited to our "Hit the Road!" day, during which we discuss your project and provide you with all the necessary information for a successful year abroad. You will also receive your student pack (orientation manual, insurance, travel documents, AILS bag, list of things to bring, etc.).
7. Your Year Abroad
Throughout your stay, your local contact person and our AILS counselors remain available to address any questions or concerns you may have. Additionally, we proactively contact you at regular intervals to check on your well-being.
Depending on the country, coordinators organize occasional activities (BBQ, pizza nights, swim parties, excursions, etc.) to allow participants to meet each other.
Become an "AILS AMBASSADOR": Every year, willing students share their international experience with the world via Facebook, Twitter, or email. If you are interested in becoming one of them, please let us know!
8. On-Site Support
Since its establishment 20 years ago, AILS has emphasized the quality of its programs, and for us, quality includes supporting students both before and during their stay. Whether you participate in the High School Standard or High School Flex program in the United States, Canada, or Germany, you will be assigned a local coordinator. This person will be available to answer all your questions, help you resolve any issues or concerns you may encounter, and serve as your main point of contact during your stay. An emergency line provided by the host organization is also available 24/7.
AILS remains at your disposal, as well as your parents', throughout your stay!
9. After Your Return
Upon your return, we will contact you to discuss your experience. Every year, we invite our students to share their experience during our information and preparation meetings and at professional fairs we attend. These gatherings are also an opportunity to have a friendly exchange and share your adventure with future American students!
AILS also offers university programs. Feel free to contact us or request our brochure "Studying Abroad at University."
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