Yes. However, you should check the age and language requirements to ensure you will qualify for your chosen country.

In some countries it is possible to select an area, but this will not be guaranteed. The most important aspect of your exchange is the match of student to family and your flexibility is important in making your exchange a success.

It may be possible to live with a family that you already know. However, the family will have to be approved, prepared and supported by our partner organisation in the same manner as any host family and school enrolment must be available. Placement with relatives is generally not approved.

Most problems with host families are due to miscommunication and culture shock. You will have a coordinator to assist you manage your program while overseas, and your coordinator will be there to help you solve any problems you feel you have with your family. If, after discussions, meetings and negotiations your problems cannot be solved, then a change of host family is possible.

No, your family will not be required to host an exchange student in return. WEP Australia, however, would be grateful if your family did consider offering another student the same hospitality and care that you have received. Hosting offers enormous benefits to all concerned.

Host families come in all shapes and sizes. They represent a complete cross-section of each host community and the richness of family diversity in today's world. Families can be "nuclear" (mum, dad plus children), "empty-nesters" (older couples or singles who now have grown children), couples (de facto or married) of any age with or without children, blended families, same-sex couples with children, single parents with children, single adults and more. Most importantly, all families are volunteers, eager to host students and are carefully interviewed and screened to ensure they are an appropriate host family.

It is rare that students are not homesick initially and do not experience some problems. Managing these situations by yourself, with the support of our organisation, is one of the benefits of going on exchange. It builds self-confidence and maturity.

Independent travel is not permissible while on exchange. However, you will be able to travel with your host family, school and receiving organisation. You may also get permission to travel with your friends' families as long as your overseas organisation and your natural parents back in Australia approve the arrangements.

Generally, for programs of three months and under no student visa is required. However, for longer programs you will need to get a student visa. WEP Australia will assist you to obtain the visa. Note: visa costs are not included in the program fee.

Year 13 programs give you the opportunity to take a break between school and tertiary studies and to assess your future goals and options. In some countries students do not graduate until they are 19, so a year 13 program is possible. Some rules will affect your activities as a graduated student, so contact WEP Australia for assistance.

In some countries this is possible, though it can never be guaranteed. Contact WEP Australia for information.

You should discuss your plans with your school before deciding to go on exchange. WEP Australia can give no guarantees regarding whether or not you will have to repeat. Factors that contribute to various scenarios include country and length of exchange, subjects studied, results achieved and graduation requirements of your exchange country and your Australian school.

A basic knowledge of a foreign language is mandatory for Japan and Mexico. Language experience is desirable, but not necessary, for other countries. An intensive language course before you leave Australia or when you arrive in your chosen country will be of enormous benefit in assisting you to quickly adapt to your new family, school and life. WEP Australia can assist you to organise intensive language classes in Australia and in your chosen country.

WEP Australia is a registered non-profit organisation that works with independent international partners to organise exchange programs. The program fee is allocated between the overseas organization and WEP Australia. The portion of the fee going to the overseas partner subsidises the location, screening, appointment and orientation of the host family, organising school enrolment, supervising your program and providing 24-hour support while you are in your host country. The portion of the fee going to WEP Australia subsidises the organisation of your program from the Australian end, ensuring you are prepared and supported for your program, your domestic and international airfares to and from your final destination, your comprehensive insurance policy, orientations, handbooks, and support 24 hours/day in Australia and in your exchange country.

You will normally be advised of your host family well before you leave Australia. In some countries however, such as Spain and the USA, this advice can be very late. If you are not able to cope with a late placement, then you should choose a different country. You will not be sent overseas until you have a confirmed, permanent host family and school.

This depends on your chosen country. In most countries you can access a debit account through a teller machine or EFTPOS. You can take travellers cheques and open a bank account and you can also take a credit/debit card from your Australian bank.

Yes, the staff of WEP Australia is available to you and your parents 24 hours a day for emergencies, so your parents can discuss any problems with us. Your parents will also be sent regular written reports on your progress; the format of which will vary according to the culture of the host country.

This is possible, but it does require more forward planning than other programs. For example, you could have one semester in Italy and another in Belgium. Contact WEP Australia for advice.

All students change while on exchange and you may have some problems resettling back into your family and school. However, these problems will pass and WEP Australia is here to help you with reorientation materials and a friendly voice on the phone.

Our partner organisations have designated arrival dates based on the beginning of school and the date of arrival orientations in your exchange country and you will also be booked to fly with other students. It is rarely possible for you to be able to use your points and get a flight on the desired date.

Yes, WEP Australia only works with quality international airlines.

Yes, you can return early. However, WEP Australia and the receiving partner will work very hard to prevent this happening. Most problems can be solved, and our experience tells us that students who insist in returning early to Australia regret their decision. Hopefully you have thought long and hard about going on exchange, and it will take determination, courage and your best efforts to make it work.

WEP Australia and the receiving organisation need to ensure that you are suitable for the program, that you have the support of your parents and school, and that your expectations are realistic. The application form is integral in making a match of student to host family and school, to assist in solving any problems while you are away and to ensure you are in agreement with the legal requirements of the program.

Parents and friends are not permitted to visit you while on exchange. Our experience shows that such visits unsettle students and interrupt schooling. Remember, this is an educational program and you must attend school full time. Your parents can meet (and travel with you) at the end of your program.

The policy, the cost of which is included in your program fee, is comprehensive and covers your medical, accident and hospital cover as well as repatriation, public liability and travel insurance. The policy caters for the visit of a member of your immediate family should you be hospitalised and has no deductibles.

You should be able to provide at least $AU300 a month to pay for your personal items, travel to and from school, any lunches purchased at school, books, entertainment, phone calls, school trips etc. Additionally you should take $AU500 for initial purchases on arrival in your exchange country.