Questions? Reach out!
The most authentic experience for your school exchange in South Africa
Step outside your comfort zone and enjoy an incredible experience of family and school immersion.
Your destination? Anywhere in the country.
The programme low-down
The essence of the classic study abroad programme? Let yourself be surprised and adapt. It is truly the most authentic experience, allowing you to immerse yourself completely in South African culture. Let yourself be guided and seize the opportunity to discover South Africa off the beaten track. You will see that it is easy to feel at home, even on the other side of the world.
Host families selected as part of the traditional school programme in South Africa open their homes to you in exchange for a small financial contribution that allows them to enjoy the experience. Their primary motivation is the desire to share their daily lives and culture with you.
Like a real South African pupil, you attend a local secondary school and choose your course programme from the available options. The school decides which class you are placed in, based on your level and academic background.
Eligibility requirements
Picture yourself...
In the vicinity of Cape Town
From the suburbs of Cape Town, you can see the majestic Table Mountain and the steep cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. You live every day in the heart of a cultural mosaic made up of a variety of cuisines, markets, traditional events and festivals.
In a seaside resort
In Simon's Town, you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a tourist seaside resort with its beautiful colonial houses and cobbled streets. The beach is just a stone's throw away, as are the penguins at Boulders Beach!
In an affluent residential neighbourhood
The Rondebosch neighbourhood is home to prestigious schools, spacious houses and well-kept gardens. Families in Cape Town compete for houses in this area. You can also enjoy the student atmosphere: the University of Cape Town is also located in Rondebosch.
All you need to know...
Transparency is important to us. Here's what's included in the program fee, and what isn't.
Included
Personal counselling to help you choose the right program for you
Selection interview and assistance with completing the application package
Research, selection and preparation of a welcoming host family
Not included
Return airfare for European destinations
Passport fees, visa fees, consulate fees, and any entry and exit fees
Welcome camp (can be purchased separately)
We're here to help. Book a free meeting with one of our Educational Advisors to discuss your options and have all your questions answered.
We're here to help. Book a free meeting with one of our Educational Advisors to discuss your options and have all your questions answered.
The next steps
Let's make sure a high school exchange programme is the right choice for you.
After receiving your pre-application form, we will assess your eligiblity and invite you to attend a free information session online. If you decide to proceed with an application, we'll get the ball rolling by asking you to provide school reports for the last 3 years, review and accept the programme's terms and conditions, and pay a £100 enrolment fee (fully refundable if you are not accepted on the programme).
Time to start writing your own story! This is where your exchange begins.
Attend an interview with our friendly staff to help us assess your readiness for an exchange. If the outcome is positive, you will start completing your application - the information you provide here will hopefully get you fully accepted on the programme, and serve as a 'calling card' to introduce yourself to your future host family and school overseas.
The big day is getting closer... we'll be at your side to help you prepare.
Once your acceptance is confirmed, the search for your overseas placement will begin. Be patient! This process can take time. To make the wait more pleasant, you will be involved in a rich pre-departure orientation programme: we will put you in contact with a WEP buddy and share lots of information - including info sheets, videos and a pre-departure session. This is the perfect time for you to start learning about your host country and practice the language. At any point after acceptance, your placement will arrive with you. We aim to have all students placed at least one month before departure.
Turn on your engines, it's finally time to board the plane and embark on your once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Our staff will guide you through the visa application process and arrange your flights. Now that the paperwork is done, you know where you're headed, and your bags are ready... it's time to say your goodbyes! If you're feeling nervous, don't worry: our staff are available to ensure everything goes smoothly and will remain available for your parents once you've left. On arrival in your host country, you will be met by your host family or a representative from the host organisation who will take you to your new home or to your orientation camp. The host organisation and your area representative overseas will provide support to you for the full duration of your programme - just remember to ask.
Meet your South African host family
She is looking forward to meeting you.
For your future South African family, welcoming you is above all a unique opportunity to share experiences and create bonds that will last a lifetime. Family is an essential value in South Africa! Their commitment is sincere and selfless: they receive a small financial compensation to help them cover the expenses associated with hosting an exchange student.
Host families believe in the value of intercultural exchange. They open their homes and hearts to discover and share their way of life with you. Invest yourself fully in this relationship, and you will see that it is worth it.
Your South African family offers you a safe and welcoming environment where you can find your place, assert yourself and grow. Thanks to them, you can build a second home on the other side of the world.
FAQ
Both programmes offer a very similar experience, with placement in a host family and enrolment in a local high school. However, on a Classic program host families are volunteers, and no tuition fees are charged by the host schools; on a Flex program instead, host families receive a stipend to help with the costs associated with hosting a student, and tuition fees may be charged by the host school.
Classic program participants are guaranteed a placement in their country of choice, however there is generally no avenue to choose a specific area/location within the host country, unless a Classic + option is available for that specific destination.
We work with international partners to organise exchange programs. As a result, the program fee is based solely on the cost of program components, both in the UK and overseas. The program fee is allocated between the overseas organisation, WEP UK, travel and independent contractors for flights and insurance.
The portion of the fee set aside for flights and insurance is approximately 25%.
The portion of the fee going to the overseas organisation (approximately 50%) subsidises the recruitment, screening, criminal background checks, appointment and orientation of the volunteer host family, facilitation of host school enrolment, recruitment and training of the local coordinator, arrival orientation, supervision of your program and provision of 24/7 support while you are in your host country.
The portion of the fee going to WEP UK (approximately 25%) subsidises the organisation of the program from the UK end, ensuring: timeliness of your eligibility interview; processing, assessment and preparation of your application for the overseas partner organisation; provision of a departure orientation session and resource materials (including student and parents handbooks); bookings of relevant domestic and international airfares to and from your final destination; detailed assistance with the visa process (where applicable); registration for a comprehensive medical/liability/baggage insurance policy; comprehensive support before, during and after your program, including emergency 24/7 support in the UK and overseas.
Before going through the application process, it is important for us to make sure that you meet the basic eligibility requirements of the programme you have chosen (such as age, language skills, academic performance, etc.) and discuss any specific circumstances, requirements or conditions that may have an impact on your program.
A high school student exchange program requires significant flexibility, open-mindednees, maturity and ability to adapt. The eligibility interview helps us assess your real motivation to participate in the program, and (together with the rest of your application documents) make sure you have all the required tools to succeed!