Quick Facts

What is the exchange program and who can apply?

The exchange program is an opportunity to have a life changing experience, while having the comfort of being under the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Exchange is an example of Goal 5, “Educating to personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.” The hope is that through this program, students will be inspired to become more active, informed and responsible members of the School community and the larger global community.
Any student entering tenth grade may apply for exchange as early as their freshmen year and as late as the end of the summer leading into junior year. An application must be completed with all the signatures before plans for the exchange can begin.

A student must be in good standing academically, have faculty approval and be in good social standing. Any student who has been place on academic or social warning/probation may not represent the School on an exchange program.
An application must be completed with the preferred choice of schools to exchange listed in order of preference.
Medical forms, permission to travel forms and insurance information must also be completed with the application.
Once all the forms have been completed, and reviewed by the coordinator, she will reach out to Network schools listed to find a match.
Any student who goes on exchange must be willing to host a student in her home for the student-desired length of time. The program is reciprocal.

The location of the exchange will have an impact on the dates when a SHG student may go on exchange.
Often a student will use her school vacation, such as the two weeks in March, to take part on her exchange, making a total of three to four weeks away. This often lessens the academic pressure of missing classes at Greenwich.
Some students, who wish to travel farther, such as Australia or Taiwan, will often use the summer months to go on exchange. This allows a student to be fully immersed with no academic pressures of her school.

Once each school and the two exchange coordinators have confirmed the exchange, both applications with all contact information be shared with both families. At this moment, the families will begin to communicate and plan the dates of the visits. It is the responsibility of the families to choose dates, which are most convenient for both parties, and to work together on the students’ schedule.
The host family is responsible for transportation to and from the airport, upon arrival and departure. The host family offers room and board, and has the same expectations as for their own daughter while living in the home.
While it is nice to offer to show the visiting student the surrounding area and city, it is NOT a requirement to make the experience a continuing tourist adventure.
The host family will also work with the school on transportation to and from school each day. If busing is used, the host family is advice to contact the school district about the possibility of the exchange student to use the bus.

The family will arrange and pay for all travel expenses for their daughter.
The host school will cover all expenses that occur during the school day and on any school-related activity, such as trips, dances, books, laptop loaner etc.
It is recommended that students bring their own spending money.
Ireland has an additional fee of approximately $200 for the outdoor adventure trip in March.

The coordinator will do her best to match each student with her first choice of school for exchange. However, there are times when the desired school does not have a match for students. When that happens, the coordinator will reach out to second or third choice of school to place students. For this reason, it is very important to consider several places for exchange opportunities.

Each student will need a current passport to travel to any school outside the U.S. It is a good idea to make a few copies and always carry a copy with you when you are away. Keep the original in a safe and secure place when you are abroad. Students who travel to Australia need an ETA (electronic travel authority). Information can be found in the following web site: http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
A letter from the host school inviting the student is also needed. This letter may be requested by Customs. The host exchange coordinator will produce this letter, and send it prior to the exchange dates.
Depending on the airline used, some families may feel more comfortable using the services available to list their daughter as an unaccompanied minor. Fees and age requirements vary, depending on the carrier. Parents must arrange this.

The best way to decide where to go on exchange is to search the Network website (www.sofie.org) for ideas. You can search the Network of Sacred Heart Schools within the United States, or click International Schools to search the opportunities abroad.
Not all Network schools participate in the exchange program. If there is a school we have not worked with before, we will do our best to make it happen.