Preparation & Support

Preparation and support: The Southern cross difference

Let’s go on exchange together

The success of your high school exchange depends on two key factors: you and your high school exchange organisation. Together, we can achieve great things. Southern Cross Cultural Exchange stands apart from the rest with our thorough preparation process and robust support system that’s there for you before, during and after your exchange.

Your expert guide to the program that’s right for you

We know going on an exchange is a big step and choosing the right program can be nerve-racking. To guide you through these important decisions, we’ll schedule an online meeting with you, your legal guardian and one of our high school exchange experts. During this meeting we’ll discuss your personal and academic goals, and other important matters such as your preferred destinations and budget. Our guidance doesn’t stop there. Once you’ve decided to go on a Southern Cross Cultural Exchange program, our team will support and help you and your parents throughout the application process – including your application for a visa, if you need one – and for the duration of your exchange.

Be fully prepared for a successful exchange

We know from the thousands of students we’ve sent on exchange that the better prepared you are, the more successful your exchange will be. That’s why we offer sessions and programs to help you get ready for your oncein-a-lifetime experience.

• Pre-departure orientation. Hosted in your home country and mandatory for you and at least one legal guardian, this information session will explain program rules and provide further guidance on many common situations during an exchange, such as homesickness.

• Arrival orientation.The local support person in your host country will give you guidance and information around living in a host family, going to school in your host country, how to deal with homesickness and many other areas of interest so that you can make the most out of your exchange.

• Soft Landing Camp. These camps are an optional extra (at an additional cost) for many of our exchange programs and give our students an opportunity to meet and spend a few days together in a central location before travelling to their host destination.