School Year Abroad in the USA

The J-1 cultural exchange is an exchange programme regulated by the US Department of State: the student attends an assigned state school and lives with a volunteer host family, who host out of interest in cultural exchange. This is why the school, the location and the climate cannot be chosen. The F-1 visa routes are tuition-based study programmes at a state or private school: the degree of choice varies from route to route, from a school matched to the student's profile to a private school of the family's choice. For families who care about a particular area or type of school, an F-1 route is the better fit. The type of visa does not in itself determine whether the period abroad is recognised: subjects, final records and the return to school should be agreed with the student's Italian school.

It depends on the route. On the J-1 cultural exchange, no: the school and the location are assigned according to the volunteer families and the school places available; a preference for a US state or an area can be expressed, but it is not guaranteed, and a placement cannot be turned down because it is outside the preferred state or area. On the matched-school route the school is assigned according to the student's profile and the places available: the particular school cannot be chosen. On the two-preference route the family names two schools from a short list, and the first is not assured. On these two routes the placement offered cannot be turned down. On the district route the family applies to an available state school district: the district assesses eligibility and places and decides on admission. On the private-school route the family applies to a particular school, and the school decides on admission, the year group and the subjects.

It depends on the route. The J-1 cultural exchange lasts a semester or the full school year. On the F-1 visa routes the stay is a term (about three months), a semester or a school year. At a state school on the F-1 visa attendance cannot exceed 12 months in total; at an eligible private school it is possible to continue for several years, if the school and the visa rules allow it. Not every school accepts every length of stay, and exact dates follow the school's calendar.

The American school year normally starts in August. A January start is also possible, on the routes and at the schools that offer it. There are no single dates for the whole country: arrival and departure dates follow the calendar of the school the student joins.

It is not guaranteed. The school decides the year group, credits and graduation requirements. Students with this goal must state it in the application: on the F-1 visa routes a school that allows it can be sought, while on the J-1 cultural exchange a diploma is not part of what the route provides.

They are those of the confirmed school and depend on its places, entry conditions, try-outs and local rules. A team place, an advanced subject or a specific course cannot be promised in advance. On the district route some districts restrict sport for international students.

Every route provides emergency assistance 24 hours a day. On the F-1 visa routes the student also has a local representative; on the district route the representative contacts the student at least once a month. For day-to-day life the points of reference remain the school and the host family; on the routes with boarding, the boarding staff too.

For students returning to an Italian school: before leaving, discuss subjects, any agreement and the documents needed on return with your Italian school. The American school provides records under its rules; recognition is not automatic. Students returning to another school system should agree the relevant subjects and records with their home school before departure.

Flights are not included; we can arrange them through our partner agency. Passport and visa costs are not included; on the F-1 visa routes the SEVIS fee is not included either. The airport transfer is the one each route provides; on the J-1 cultural exchange travel within the United States is also at the family's expense.