CA Sister Cities High School Student Exchange

Calling all high school French and Spanish students! If you are in level 2 and above, Columbia Association's summer student exchange program may be just right for you! You won't stay in hotels like a tourist. You'll experience a new culture as a member of it as you live with a French or Spanish family for two weeks. What better way to make French or Spanish friends, practice your language skills and go on fun trips to new places?

The Columbia Association is accepting applications for the Sister Cities High School Student Exchange program until February 19, 2010.

Participating Howard County students spend approximately two weeks of cultural and linguistic immersion during the first two weeks of July in one of Columbia’s sister cities, Cergy-Pontoise, France or Tres Cantos, Spain, hosted by the family of a French or Spanish student. After returning to the United States, students will host their French/Spanish counterparts here for another two weeks. There are organized group activities for the participants, both abroad and in the U.S.

The registration fee is $650 for Columbia residents and $790 for non-Columbia residents, excluding airline fees. Airline fees may range from $1,100 to $1,500 per participant. Scholarships are available. Please contact the Program Manager for more information.

Applicants must be high school students residing in Howard County and must have completed high school level two of French or Spanish by the end of the current academic year or have the equivalent language fluency.

For an application or more information, visit the CA website at ColumbiaAssociation.org, or call Laura Smit, Program Manager for International Exchange & Multicultural Programs at 410-715-3162 or email: international@columbiaassociation.com.