{"id":254,"date":"2015-01-03T18:51:56","date_gmt":"2015-01-03T18:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adolesco.org\/?page_id=254"},"modified":"2022-01-29T16:37:06","modified_gmt":"2022-01-29T16:37:06","slug":"howitworks","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/adolesco.org\/en_uk\/howitworks\/","title":{"rendered":"The essentials"},"content":{"rendered":"

All The Details<\/h2>\n

The Basics<\/h3>\n

How Does it Work?<\/h4>\n

We offer your child or teenager the opportunity to build up a solid friendship with a child their age in another country.\u00a0 Through this friendship, the two children will become highly motivated to learn each others language. They will live with each others caring families, they might experience a new school system, and they will definitely discover a new way of life and a new country. Adolesco exchanges are true exchanges\u00a0where both<\/strong>\u00a0exchange partners\u00a0get the opportunity to travel and<\/strong> host. We carefully match your young person\u00a0with an exchange partner in your preferred country (France, Spain or Germany if your first language is English) and then you and your exchange family will each<\/strong> take a turns to host and care for the\u00a0two children.<\/p>\n

Who May Apply?<\/h4>\n

Adventurous and friendly children and teens ages 9 to 17 and their welcoming families are encouraged to apply. You must live in the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, France, Germany or Spain to participate. Ex-pat families who are British Citizens and who can provide a totally English speaking environment for their exchange can also apply, for example if you work in Dubai or Singapore.<\/p>\n

Where Can I Go?<\/h4>\n

Adolesco exchanges are only offered between countries with different languages. English speakers in the USA, Canada, and the UK and Ireland may choose to travel to France, Germany, or Spain. You do not need any particular level of the relevant language – studying it for a year at school for example is fine. We sometimes have exchange partners in Switzerland and Austria. Adolesco does not offer exchanges between countries with the same language: for example, the USA and the UK, or Ireland and Canada.<\/p>\n

How long is the exchange for?<\/h4>\n

You can choose to go and host for between 3 weeks and 3 months on an Adolesco Exchange – it is up to you. From our years of experience we have found really short exchanges do not work\u00a0well and so we do have a 3 week\u00a0minimum\u00a0in order to have time to settle in, get to know the family and then enjoy\u00a0the time\u00a0and really start to see an improvement in\u00a0language skills.\u00a0Of course the longer\u00a0the stay the better\u00a0the language will be and the more time there is to make friends. If you are worried about homesickness then do talk to us, we have some good ideas to help.<\/p>\n

When is the exchange? Will\u00a0my child\u00a0miss school?<\/h4>\n

From your application form we will check your preferred dates and once we have found you a good match and both families would like to go ahead the two families get their diaries together to plan the trips. The timing and duration of your travel are up to you – we only ask that you be open to hosting for a little bit\u00a0longer or shorter than you travel if it works out that way.<\/p>\n

You do not need to miss any school if you prefer not to as the exchanges can be arranged entirely in school holidays – European Summer holidays are longer than those in the UK so it can work really well. It can also be great fun and very educational to go to school in your chosen country for perhaps half a term and we can help you arrange this with your school.<\/p>\n

What will the exchange family be like?<\/h4>\n

You will see below we have a very\u00a0thorough application process in order to\u00a0find you with a child or teenager who is of similar age and someone who we feel will be compatible with you and your family life. We have a central matching team who with the help of the Country Reps review all our applications manually – nothing is done by computer! You will get to see the photos and forms of the family we have selected for you – it’s very exciting!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How Much Does it Cost?<\/h3>\n

Application Fee for an exchange up to September 2022<\/h4>\n

When you have decided to apply and would like Adolesco to find an exchange match for you, the non-refundable Application Fee is \u00a360 or \u20ac70 for those in Ireland.<\/p>\n

Exchange Fee<\/h4>\n

When we have found a match and you are ready to begin your exchange, the Exchange Fee<\/strong> paid to Adolesco is \u00a3800 or \u20ac1000. The Exchange Fee can be paid in two instalments: a \u00a3400 or \u20ac500 deposit when the match is accepted, and the \u00a3400 0r \u20ac500\u00a0balance two weeks before your child travels. If for some reason an exchange is cancelled before either<\/strong> child travels, the exchange fee\u00a0will be\u00a0refunded in full.<\/p>\n

Travel and Living Costs<\/h4>\n

Airfare and other travel costs are the travelling family’s responsibility and exchange children must also have a Travel Insurance Policy and EHIC Card in advance of travel.\u00a0No money should pass between the families and once you are hosting you are responsible for all the living costs of your exchange child as is their family when your child is staying with them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Application Process<\/h3>\n

The first step is to contact your local representative. They will be your guide throughout the application process and<\/strong> your exchange, from beginning to end. Send us and email\u00a0and we’ll be in touch with the next steps:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. There is a Pre-application form<\/strong> that is quick and easy so we can immediately check you could fulfil our criteria before moving to the next stage.<\/li>\n
  2. The Full Application<\/strong> form allows Adolesco to match you with your exchange partner. It’s long, but the better we know you, the better we can create an exceptional exchange for you.<\/li>\n
  3. The New Family Information Meeting<\/strong>: You and your family will attend a New Family Meeting. Here, you’ll meet with other prospective Adolesco families, alumni families, and your Adolesco representative. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, hear from experienced families, and learn everything you need to know in order to have a successful exchange. This can be before or after you have decided to apply.<\/li>\n
  4. An Interview<\/strong>: this may be at the New Family Information Meeting or via Skype or other means. It is essential all the family who live at home are present.<\/li>\n
  5. Home Visit<\/strong>: In most cases, an Adolesco representative will visit you and your family at home, usually over lunch or dinner. It’s an opportunity to get to know you and your family better, and for you to ask questions one-on-one.<\/li>\n
  6. The Matchings<\/strong>: In the\u00a0autumn and spring, the Adolesco executives pool all of the applicants from each country and create the matches. Once we let you know you’ve been matched, you have the opportunity to see the application of your exchange partner and decide if you’d like to go ahead. Once both sides accept the match, the travel planning can begin and your exchange adventure is underway!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We make no apology for this lengthy and thorough process, we are sure you will be comforted to know the host family of your child has also gone through this.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Apply Now!<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    All The Details The Basics How Does it Work? We offer your child or teenager the opportunity to build up a solid friendship with a child their age in another country.\u00a0 Through this friendship, the two children will become highly motivated to learn each others language. They will live with each others caring families, they […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5312,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-254","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t