Exchange Programmes

Language Exchange Programmes

After a brief hiatus, our language exchange programmes have re-established themselves as a popular and enriching activity that many participants cite as their most memorable experience while at school. They offer boys a wonderful opportunity to put their language skills to use, gain an insight into a different culture and foster lifelong friendships. Boys also develop personally, gaining maturity and independence, as well as a greater appreciation for their place in the world. Furthermore, College Street benefits greatly from the international perspective our visiting students bring.

Generally, our programmes are open to Form IV boys who are interested in pursuing their language studies in the senior school. They are reciprocal, and boys must be able to host their exchange partner in their family for the duration of the exchange. The exchange experience in China is a combination of a (stay at a) dormitory and a homestay with a family. We have established agreements with the following schools:

• Ecole Alsacienne in Paris
• Freies Gymnasium Zürich in Zürich
• Hochrad Gymnasium in Hamburg
• Liceo Classico Galileo in Florence (for long-term)
• Istituto Russell-Newton in Florence (for short-term)
• Kang Chiao School Xi’an Qujiang Campus in Xi’an

Our long-term programmes:

These programmes all take place during the school term and are available for French, German, Italian and Chinese (3 weeks). As boys miss a significant amount of school and a set of examinations, they must be achieving at least Credits across all their subjects to be considered. The success of these programmes is due in large part to the small number of boys we send and often receive many more applications than places available, particularly for the French exchange. Places are awarded on merit following a rigorous selection process including an interview. For these programmes, families must be able to offer visiting students their own room. Boys travel as a group but are not accompanied by a Grammar master.

Our short-term programmes:

These programmes occur during the school holidays and are available in French, German and Italian. The French and Italian exchanges are accompanied by Grammar masters, but the German exchange is unaccompanied due to fewer participants. While the French and German exchanges occur each year, our Italian exchange takes place every two years, and Form V boys who missed the exchange in Form IV are invited to participate. Our exchange to China is in its infancy, and with sufficient interest from boys , we hope an exchange during the holidays may be possible in the future. Places for these exchanges are determined on a ‘first in, first served’ basis.