International High School students are provided the opportunity to live and study for one year in the United States.  An exchange student is enrolled in American public school, lives with an American host family, and becomes a part of the local community, providing a unique platform for personal growth and unparalleled life experience.  Both the one year and semester programs can be extremely challenging for exchange students and require a strong willingness on the part of the student to adapt to a new environment; however, former exchange students will often note that their exchange year was one of the most rewarding years of their life.

Benefits

As an exchange student, one gets to experience authentic American culture. Students enhance certain life skills, including better communication, adaptability, critical thinking, and problem solving, each important for future success.   Exchange students have an added maturity, leadership skills, and international experience desired by college admission boards and future employers. An exchange student serves as a ‘Student Ambassador,’ representing their family, community, school, and nation.

 

Academic Year Program – August to June
Academic Semester Program – August to December or January to Jun

Eligibility
  • Age 15 – 18.5
  • Proficient in English (Acceptable SLEP score)
  • Be ‘C’ Average Student
  • Enrolled in Secondary School
  • Flexible, Mature, & Open to new cultures
Including Not Including
  • Enrollment in a USA High School
  • Accommodation/Boarding (Host Family)
  • Airport Transfers
  • Year Round Support/Supervision/Counseling
  • Medical & Accident Insurance
  • J-1 Visa Support Documentation/ Orientation
  • 24 Hour Emergency Assistance
  • International Airfare/Visa Fees
  • Lunches at School & Any School Book Fees
  • Pocket Money
 
Student Safety

Safety is the first priority for a student to have a successful exchange program in the United States.    A majority of student placements are in small town communities and smaller American cities.   While studying in the United States, the student has a safety network that includes the host family, a local community coordinator, the school, as well as Taj Global Understanding.  Guidance and counseling are an important component of any exchange program.  At every step of the way, students are guided through their cultural adjustments and any problems which they may face.    Students are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the United States and take the challenges they face with a positive attitude!

Host Families
Host family placement is an integral part of our Taj Global Understanding exchange program. Exchange students are placed with caring and loving American families who want to host an international student. These families voluntarily open up their home and their lives for the year and accept the exchange student as if their own son/daughter.  Host families are carefully screened and selected, often times with hobbies and interest matching the exchange student.  Further, host families are required by law to undergo a criminal background check prior to hosting a student. Host families are what make this program unique.  A Taj Global Understanding exchange student learns first hand about American culture from a safe and nurturing environment. They gain a family away from their natural family, a connection that is often life long.

An Excerpt of a letter from a Host Mom:

“Today is a very sad day here as we will be leaving in a few hours to take Vrutant to the airport. I can only imagine how you long to see him again. He is such a special person and we are missing him already. This experience with him has been wonderful and thank God we have had the opportunity to offer our home.

Last night our church had a going away party for Vrutant. The people of the church, teachers at school, family, friends and neighbors, were all present to say their goodbyes to Vrutant. We know he must go and pursue his dreams but saying goodbye is still difficult.

I told him in a letter that he needs to hug you both lots and lots when he returns to India for I know you have missed him so much and how you long to see him again….Thank you so much for allowing him to come and share the past months with us. We love him like our own sons. [They] will miss him as a brother…”
 

Public Schools

As an exchange student, it is important to realize that a central part of your experience will be your high school education.  Exchange students are required to maintain a “C” grade average in order to continue with the program.  In addition, students are required to take English and US History/Government.  Exchange students will find a wide variety of classes to choose from in the public school system. Teachers are very open and friendly and always willing to help any student.   Students have daily homework, quizzes, chapter tests, independent projects, group projects, and exams, all factoring in the final grade result.  Schools in America are not just about the academic experience, but about creating well rounded students.  Therefore, exchange students are able to participate in a large variety of extra curricular activities such as music, drama, art, sports, community service, and a variety of clubs and organizations associated with schools.  The end result is a very rich and rewarding experience studying in the United States.
 

Private Schools

Taj Global Understanding does offer limited private school placement for international students.  Private schools in the US are considerably more expensive; however, TGU works with selected private schools which offer an affordable program for exchange students.   These private schools are often day schools and much smaller in size than a public school.    Students in a private school placement reside with host families as well.
 
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