The Commission is not authorized to give financial assistance for secondary school studies, nor is it equipped to provide detailed information about such studies. However, some special information for secondary school students who wish to study in the United States is given below.
Secondary School Exchange Programs
Many opportunities are available for students from other countries to attend secondary school in the U.S. under the auspices of sponsored exchange programs. While exchanges have been a part of the U.S. secondary school scene for many years, they have received considerable attention since 1982 as a result of President Reagan’s International Youth Exchange Initiative. The initiative has provided a stimulus for the expansion of previously existing exchange opportunities as well as the creation of new programs. Families who send their children to the U.S with these exchange organizations are usually not obliged to receive an American student in return, but may if they so desire.
An exchange normally occurs under the auspices of an intermediary organization specializing in the two‑way movement of high school students. Youth for Understanding and AFS represent just two of the many organizations, both profit and non‑profit, which operate international exchange programs. Some special exchange programs for secondary school students which have come to the Commission’s attention are listed below.
The list below is intended to provide students and families with an idea of popular secondary school exchange programs available in Belgium. It is not exhaustive, not does inclusion on it constitute a recommendation by the EducationUSA Advising Center in Belgium.
Want to be included? Email us at brussels@educationusa.org.
AFS Intercultural Programs is a voluntary, non-profit and non-governmental association, recognized by the French Community of Belgium as a service to youth work, and a partner of the international organization AFS Intercultural programs. AFS provides opportunities for intercultural experiences that develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary for a more just and peaceful world. AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens.
Website: www.afsbelgique.be
Address: Place de l’Alma, 3/11, B- 1200 Bruxelles
Phone: +32 02 743 85 40
Email: info.please@afs.org
AFS Flanders is a non-profit organization that for more than 100 years have worked with students, families, and volunteers to create a more just and peaceful world through intercultural learning and exchange. AFS facilitates young peoples’ journey to becoming responsibile global citizens for peace and understanding in a diverse world. All of AFS exchange programs are based on the fundamental values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity, and tolerance.
Website: www.afsvlaanderen.be
Address: Hendrik Consciencestraat 52, B-2800 Mechelen
Phone: +32 015 79 50 10
Email: info@afsvlaanderen.be
AILS Séjours Linquistiques provides unique travel abroard experiences that are curated for young people. Designed to be fully immersive, AILS’s wide array of language-stay programs facilitate integration for participants into the language and culture of their destination country.
Website: www.sejours-linguistiques.com
Address: Rue Alphonse Renard 55, B-1050 Bruxelles
Phone: +32 02 344 41 44
Email: info@ails-belgium.be
For more than 30 years, Cosmolingua has been committed to increasing the language competence and confidence of participants for the ultimate goal of achieving better business results through better language skills. Cosmolingua curates a unique program for each participant, taking into account the individual’s learning goals, objectives, and budget, with one-on-one mentorship throughout.
Website: www.cosmolingua.be
Address: Spillemansstraat 1, B-2140 Antwerpen
Phone: +32 03 236 44 00 (NL ) | +32 02 223 14 19 (FR)
Email: info@cosmolingua.be
Education First (EF) promotes cross cultural education and collaboration through a variety of abroad programs. Participants in secondary education can choose between a 6, 9, or 11 month long program and become bilingual in a foreign language of their choice, discover a new culture, and expand their network.
Website: www.efbelgique.be
Address: Rue de Stassart, 117, B-1050 Brussels
Phone: +32 02 513 30 30
Email: talenreizen.be@ef.com
Easy Languages / Languages Vivantes designs language abroad programs for young people and students who want to enhance their language learning. The programs offered are well-rounded and comprehensive in the immersion approach: students can take fun and useful courses, practical economic or law classes, and engage with a volunteer project, and young people can practice a wide variety of sports and take courses that will prepare them for studying abroad.
Website: www.languesvivantes.com
Address: Rue John Waterloo Wilson 28, B-1000 Brussels
Phone: + 33 7 68 87 10 67
Email: info@easylanguages.com
Languages and Travel is a language travel agency that was established in 2000 in order to help people to train in a foreign language. The L&T team supports participants before, during, and after their language study trip by providing practical insights, advising participants on their best options, and helping participants booking their stay. The Languages and Travel team is committed to your language learning and travel experience!
Website: https://langtra.be/
Phone: 02 899 75 15
Email: info@langtra.be
People to People International is based in Brussels, Belgium a central multicultural hub of Europe. PTPI offers people a space to develop friendships while bringing strong communities. Supported by volunteers and donations, PTPI operates like a cooperative and follows best practice methods from the business and technology industries.
Website: https://www.ptpi.eu
Address: Chemin au Bois 40, B-1970 Wezembeek-Oppem
Phone: +32.478.482023
Email: mail@ptpi.edu
Rotary’s programs are developing the next generation of leaders, providing funding to make the world a better place, and making peace a priority. And our programs are not just for club members. Learn how you can make a difference in your community through Rotary.
Website: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs
Email: See website for contact details of local Rotary Club
The World Education Program is the most active organization in the field of intercultural and linguistic projects that has been helping students go abroad since 1988. Nearly 10,000 young people travel each year with WEP’s programs to more than 300 destinations. Each participant is paired with a counselor who will coach them through the process and be both a contact person and a source of support when the participant is abroad. WEP wants to help young people become global citizens.
Website: https://www.wep.be
Address: Avenue de Jette 26, B-1081 Bruxelles
Phone: 02 534 53 36
Email: info@wep.be
In the immediate aftermath of World War II, Youth for Understanding was founded in order to help heal the relationships between countries through the promotion of cross cultural exchange. With a network of more than 50 countries, Youth for Understanding helps participants broaden their horizons through cultural and linguistic immersion experiences and encouraging the idea that everyone are citizens of the same world. The programs designed for those in secondary education include integration into a host family, school life, and the language of the destination country.
Website: https://www.yfu-belgique.be
Address: Rue de la Station 73-75, B-4430 Ans
Phone: +32 04 223 76 68
Email: info@yfu-belgique.be
Youth for Understanding – Vlaanderen is one of the offices of the YFU parent organization. YFU-V believes in a society is becoming increasingly intercultural that it is invaluable to give young people the opportunity to look at their own and other cultures from a different perspective- young people who participate in a cultural exchange are more open to other people, have better communication skills, and are not guided by prejudice. These competencies are widely applicable to all aspects of life.
Website: https://www.yfu.be
Address: Frans Halsvest 91/92, B-2800 Mechelen
Phone: +32 15 69 00 85
Email: info@yfu.be
Pre-College Programs
Several opportunities exist for students to participate in post-secondary, pre-college programs at some American colleges and universities. These programs are designed to acquaint future college students with college life, academic courses and expectations by having students enroll in and take college courses for credit before going to college; usually, during a summer of secondary school. For specific universities and colleges offering this type of program, please visit the Advising Center of the Commission for Educational Exchange Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The list below is intended to provide students and families with an idea of popular pre-college programs available in Belgium. It is not exhaustive, not does inclusion on it constitute a recommendation by the EducationUSA Advising Center in Belgium.
Want to be included? Email us at brussels@educationusa.org.
