Educatius European Agent Manual 2025

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Agent Manual

European High School Programs

The number one choice for high school programs abroad

Table of contents

About Educatius

Our Mission: Safe, Successful Students

The Educatius Europe Team

Getting Started

Our Program Types

Application and Enrollment Process

ZAPP

Payment process

Visa Information

Flights & Arrival Information

Insurance requirements

Pre-Departure Orientation

On-Program Orientations

3

4 p. 5–6

7

8 p. 9–12 p. 13–14 p. 15 p. 16–17 p. 18 p. 19 p. 20 p.21

Soft Landing Camps

Host Family Accommodation

Boarding School Program

Expectations and Services

On Program Support

UK Appendice

UK Guardianship

Ireland Appendice

Spain Appendice

France Appendice

Germany Appendice

Sweden Appendice

Italy Appendice

Aiducatius

Educatius supports Aiducatius, which improves children's lives through education in Tanzania, The Gambia, Brazil, and Ecuador. By enabling nearly 6,000 students in these regions to attend school, building libraries, providing clean water, planting trees, and sponsoring schoolbooks, Aiducatius creates a positive impact on the world, one student at a time.

About Educatius

We believe studying high school abroad is more than just attending a new school. It's a chance to broaden the mind, grow personally, and pursue dreams.

Our mission is to provide safe and enriching high school programs globally that unlock opportunities for our students.

Educatius offers high school programs in 10 countries worldwide, including the USA, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Sweden. Last year, Educatius placed over 8,000 students in high schools globally. With a dedicated staff of 1,000+ part-time and 300 full-time members, and offices in 22 countries, we prioritize providing the best experience for students, host families, and our global partners.

Across Europe we offer a range of program pathways that best suit the needs and requirements of our students. Our Select High School programmes allow students to customize their ideal programme whilst our Classic Exchange programme provides a budget conscious insight into local culture, education, and language.

Many of our hosting countries also recruit and send students abroad for High School programs globally. This awareness of the importance of communication, support and client expectation gives our programs an advantage.

But our mission goes beyond that. Educatius Group supports the Aiducatius Foundation, which improves children's lives through education in Tanzania, The Gambia, Brazil, and Ecuador. By enabling nearly 6,000 students in these regions to attend school, building libraries, providing clean water, planting trees, and sponsoring schoolbooks, the Aiducatius Foundation creates a positive impact on the world, one student at a time.

Unlock the world with Educatius.

Our Mission: Safe, Successful Students

Some may know us as the largest organization in the world dedicated to high school programs abroad. And that’s true.

But we are more than just a portfolio of great high schools and programs. The most important thing we do is take care of students.

A successful high school program is more than just a school. It is how each student is supported – academically, socially and practically.

Our team has the commitment and the experience to help each student achieve success on their high school program – and to unlock their future. Our Service Promises means that

The Global Youth Resilience Initiative

We’re on a mission to support the well-being of all students on our exchange programs.

It’s no secret that youth worldwide are experiencing an increase in mental health challenges. Students on exchange programs often experience culture shock, homesickness and adapting to a new academic environment.

We've partnered with teen mental health specialists to provide proactive support to our students and the adults who support them - their host families, Local Coordinators and natural parents - to build their resilience through training and interactive exercises.

each student can be confident that they will be supported in all aspects of their program.

Our Service Promises cover our programs in the UK, Ireland and Mainland Europe. All documents can be found on our Agent Portal.

The Educatius Europe Team

Educatius offers High School programs in 7 destinations across Europe

1. United Kingdom

2. Ireland

3. France

4. Spain

5. Italy

6. Germany

7. Sweden

What’s in a name?

In several European countries our local organisation use a different name. These are legacy brands that have remained in place locally after several years of acquisitions by Educatius Group. All the Inbound programs adhere to same Educatius guidelines and you should expect the same high service from them as you would do from an Educatius branded program!

Central Educatius Europe Team

Our central team are responsible for coordinating and aligning all recruitment, marketing and placement efforts across the 7 countries.

Contact the Central Team: europe@educatius.org

Glenn Jones

Product Manager – European High School Programs glenn.jones@educatius.org

Local Educatius Europe Team

Across all our destinations we have a local team that are responsible for supporting enquiries, accepting and placing students and providing ongoing support.

In many office there are several additional members of staff listed than those below however we have provided contact for those our partners should most commonly interact with.

Local Offices

UNITED KINGDOM

Sales Support & Business Development

Jemma Coleborn – jemma.coleborn@educatius.org

Operations Manager

Marc Elles – marc.elles@educatius.org

Managing Director

Michele Harrison – michele.harrison@educatius.org

General Email: uk@educatius.org

Office Address: Ashfield House, 12 Ashfield Road, Cheadle, SK8 1BB United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 161 428 4867

24/7 Emergency telephone: +44 161 428 4867

IRELAND

Sales Support & Business Development

Tom Poole – tom.poole@educatius.org

Operations Manager

Cassie Beecham – cassie.beecham@educatius.org

Managing Director

Michele Harrison – michele.harrison@educatius.org

General Email: ireland@educatius.org

Office Address: Ducart Suite, Castletroy Park Commercial Complex, Castletroy, V94Y6FD Ireland

Telephone: +44 161 428 4867

(Switchboard will connect to Ireland)

24/7 Emergency telephone: +44 161 428 4867

SWEDEN

Inbound Program Manager

Åsa Kardell – asa.kardell@educatius.org

Inbound Programs

Jeanette Johansson – jeanette.johansson@educatius.org

General Email: sweden@educatius.org

Office Address: Kungsportsavenyen 32, 411 36 Gothenburg, Sweden

Telephone: +46 8 411 23 30

24/7 Emergency telephone: +46 8 411 23 30

SPAIN

Inbound Program Manager

Raquel Sarmiento – raquel.sarmiento@educatius.org

Inbound Programs

Clara Castellano – clara.castellanos@educatius.org

General Email: spain@educatius.org / spain@getready.es

Office Address: Paseo de la Castellana 45, 7º – 28046 Madrid, Spain

Telephone: +34 91 564 01 62

24/7 Emergency telephone: +34 602254846

FRANCE

Programs operated by JEV Langues

Inbound Program Manager and Sales Support

Mathilde Ammeux – mathilde.a@jevlangues.com

Inbound Programs

Virginie Creyssac – virginie.c@jevlangues.com

General Email: france@educatius.org

Office Address: 16 Boulevard de Bretagne, 16000 Angoulême, France

Telephone: +33 (0)5 55 12 11 00

24/7 Emergency telephone: +33 (0)6 77 53 53 87

GERMANY

Inbound Program Manager

Beate Gruszka – beate.gruszka@educatius.org

Inbound Programs

Heike Kurzidem - heike.kurzidem@educatius.org

General Email: germany@educatius.org

Office Address: Fritz-Salm-Straße 1, 68167 Mannheim, Germany

Telephone: + 39 02 453 913 19

24/7 Emergency telephone: +49 170 4942897

ITALY

Inbound Program Manager

Roberta Vargiu – roberta.vargiu@educatius.org

General Email: italy@educatius.org

Office Address: Via Festa Del Perdono 10, 20122 Milan, Italy

Telephone: +39 02 453 913 19

24/7 Emergency telephone: +39 0250 030 986

Global Sales Team

With 10+ different global education systems, variety of programme types, eligibility and visa requirements our Global Sales Team may often refer you to our European Product Manager and Sales Support staff in each country for local expert support on enquiries and for additional training.

If you have worked with our European programs for several years you may of course always contact our local teams directly.

REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS

The Regional Sales Managers will assist you with school or program recommendations as well as provide you with necessary resources to promote Educatius programs.

Catrin Diamantino President, Sales catrin.diamantino@educatius.org

Kyu Kim Vice President of Asia kyu.kim@educatius.org

Dongyue Yao China

dongyue.yao@educatius.org

Anna Vo South East Asia anna.vo@educatius.org

Harry Kang Korea and North Asia harry.kang@educatius.org

Natalina Agricola Europe natalina.agricola@educatius.org

Zlatemir Milanov Europe & CIS zlatemir.milanov@educatius.org

Juliana Varela Latin America juliana.varela@educatius.org

The Regional Sales Manager for your region will be your first point of contact in your partnership with Educatius. Their main responsibility is to manage relationships with our agent partners and help you identify which program(s) would be most interesting to or suitable for clients and markets. At the start of your partnership with Educatius, these individuals will provide you with an agent agreement and the necessary resources to begin promoting Educatius’ programs.

These resources may include:

• Price Lists

• Program Offerings and Availability Lists

• Marketing Materials

• Sales Strategies and Training

If you are an agent who wishes to promote Educatius’ programs in Europe or any other country, please contact the appropriate Regional Sales Manager listed.

Getting Started

We are here to help you feel like an expert in our programs! Please contact the appropriate Regional Sales Manager to receive an onboarding orientation.

In addition to our Regional Sales Manager we have our Product Manager and local sales support staff who can provide additional assistance..

Our tools to support you:

• Price Lists

• Access to the online application system, Zapp

• Access to our Agent Portal

• Current Agent Agreement

• Availability Lists

• Program Arrival/Departure Dates

• Our Service Promise

• Our European Program Cheat Sheet

The Agent Portal

Find the tools you need in our agent portal! Search for Select schools, see price and availability, find photos, access recorded webinars, and review program details.

Need access? Ask the global sales team.

Do you need anything else to assist you?

Please feel free to request additional training and ask questions by contacting your Regional Sales Manager or by contacting our Product Manager who is able to provide further details of all our programs and can also connect you to our local experts in each destination country!

Our Program Types

Educatius offers a variety of programs across Europe at public (more often called State) high schools, private day and boarding schools.

Select

Whether a students wishes for a particular city, region, subject or study pathway, we will help you found suitable options for their study abroad experience. Our Select High School Program allows international students the freedom of choice with regard to geographical location, academic goals, and extra-curricular activities.

Day Schools are schools where students attend a public or private high school and live in a host family. At boarding schools, students attend the school and live in a dorm on or near campus.

Select Schools all have an Educatius branded school profile on our agent portal and PDF profile for your general use. We also have a general Availability List that can be checked prior to application for a chosen school.

Educatius offers a Select High School Program in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Classic Exchange

Our Classic Exchange programs offer the chance to immerse in the country of choice and to really experience what local high school and family life is like.

This is a no-choice program and placements can be anywhere in the host country with schools being chosen for the student. In some destinations there are limited area and regional choices available.

The Classic Exchange is a cultural experience it should not be intended for long-term study and in many countries there are maximum program length limitations.

Educatius offers the Classic Exchange in all our 7 European destinations

In the United Kingdom the Classic Exchange is available for applicants who can travel to the UK for up to 6 months visa-free.

In Ireland the Classic Exchange is exclusively for EU passport holders.

For all eligibility requirements please refer to our program cheat sheet.

Application and Enrollment Process

All student applications to Educatius Group programs across Europe must be completed and submitted in Zapp, our online application platform.

Please note that if you do not have an account in Zapp or wish to have additional training on using Zapp, we kindly request that you contact our central team: europe@educatius.org

Application Steps and Enrollment Process: Notes for Agent:

For all programs

Agent checks Eligibility and Availability

Agent submits Reservation Form

Agent submits the Zapp application to Educatius

Please be sure to reference the availability list to ensure that the student is eligible for the program to which they are applying and the required documentation is complete.

For our programs across Europe we utilise a Reservation Form that allows an Agent to hold a space against an available spot for up to 4 weeks whilst the student completes the main application. Our local teams will get in touch if the reservation is not eligible for their chosen program.

Spaces are held for up to 4 weeks.

The reservation form does not guarantee acceptance but provides assurance that the space reserved for the student is not offered to another.

For all programs the relevant application form needs to be completed in full. Please visit our Zapp page for some helpful hints and guidance on use of Zapp.

Additionally each Destination will have a separate training document on how to complete their application.

If there are any comments that you, as the agent, wish to share with our team, please include them in the text box when submitting the application.

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Application Steps and Enrollment Process: Notes for Agent:

For all programs

Educatius will review the application and accept the application to Educatius’ program or return the application to the agent.

ACCEPTED TO EDUCATIUS’ PROGRAMS: If the required pages are complete, and the student’s application meets the requirements for the program or school to which they are applying, the application will be accepted to Educatius’ programs.

RETURNED TO AGENT: If the required pages are not complete or the student does not meet the eligibility requirements for the program to which they are applying, the application will be returned to the agent for additional editing or documentation upload.

In either scenario, the agent will be notified by way of Zapp notification of the status of the application and instructions on any agent follow up will be provided.

For classic exchange programs

Invoices issued by Educatius

Once an application is accepted to the Educatius program, host family and school placement begin

Visa documentation issued (if applicable) by Educatius

Educatius will share program dates and host family accommodation details, as applicable

Visit Payments Page and refer to Agent Agreement for further details regarding this.

Placements are typically made in Host Family first followed by school acceptance.

Please visit page 16 for information on visa documentation issuance. This can vary from country to country based on immigration requirements. This includes countries where visa documents can only be issued after the placement has been completed in full.

PROGRAM DATES: Educatius has arrival and departure dates for day school programs.

HOST FAMILY DETAILS: Host family placements will be shared once a placement is made. The host family application and placement confirmation form (PCF) will be sent through Zapp.

PLACEMENT DEADLINE: Classic Exchange students will receive their host family placements no later than 2 weeks prior to program start dates.

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Application Steps and Enrollment Process: Notes for Agent:

For select programs

Invoices issued by Educatius

Once an application is accepted to Educatius’ program, Educatius will submit the application to the school.

Educatius will share the admissions decision with the agent

Visit Payments page 15 and refer to Agent Agreement for further details regarding this.

INTERVIEWS: Some schools may require a student to conduct an interview as a part of the admissions process. This interview may be with a school official or an Educatius staff member. If an interview is required, an Educatius staff member will inform the agent and will assist in scheduling the interview.

TESTS: Some schools may require tests as part of the admission process. These can be school exams and can also be government mandated exams. Our individual destinations will advise on these prior to application.

PAYMENTS: Please review the individual country payment terms within the Agent Agreement for details of if / when a school might require Application Fees.

ACCEPTANCE: If a student has been accepted to a school, the agent will receive an acceptance letter by way of a Zapp notification.

DENIAL: If a student has been denied from a school, an Educatius staff member will inform the agent and can advise the agent on appropriate next steps.

Visa documentation issued (if applicable) by Educatius

Please visit page 16 for information on visa documentation issuance. This can vary from country to country based on immigration requirements. This includes countries where visa documents can only be issued after the placement has been completed in full.

Educatius will share program dates and host family accommodation details, as applicable

PROGRAM DATES: Educatius has arrival and departure dates for day school programs.

HOST FAMILY DETAILS: Host family placements will be shared once a placement is made. The host family application and placement confirmation form (PCF) will be sent through Zapp.

PLACEMENT DEADLINE: Select Students will receive their host family placements no later than 4 weeks prior to program start.

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Application

Steps and Enrollment Process: Notes for Agent:

For all students

Agent uploads student flight details to Zapp

PROGRAM DATES: Educatius has arrival and departure dates for day school programs organized in an online document which will be shared with you by the Student Experience Team.

HOST FAMILY DETAILS: Host family placements will be shared once a placement is made. The host family application and placement confirmation form (PCF) will be sent through Zapp.

Agent conducts Pre-Departure Orientation

ORIENTATION: All students are required to have a Pre-Departure Orientation prior to arriving on the Educatius program. Agents are responsible for ensuring students have this orientation and are well-prepared for their Educatius program. The Educatius Student Handbook can be used as a guide for the Pre-Departure Orientation.

Student departs for to begin their Educatius program

FLIGHT DETAILS: Please ensure to upload flight details at least ten days prior to the student’s anticipated arrival. For day school program students, airport pick-up information will be shared 5 days prior to the student’s arrival. For boarding school program students, the school will communicate airport pick up arrangements directly.

Only upload program arrival and departure dates, no other flights for travel on program should be added to Zapp.

ZAPP

Throughout this agent manual, we mention Zapp. Zapp is the online platform we use to process applications and manage student enrollment.

If you are new to Zapp

Please email europe@educatius.org with your agency name and contact email address. Our central team would be glad to create an account for you and provide you with training.

If you have used Zapp before but have not sent applications to Educatius Europe

Please email europe@educatius.org with the email address that your agency uses to log into Zapp. We will add your existing Zapp account to the relevant destination workflow so that the applications are made available to you.

Also be advised that our Sales Managers around the world are able to set you up with a new Zapp account or connect you to a new Receiving Organization workflow. So please feel free to connect with them.

Who completes the Zapp application?

There are two options available:

1. The student completes the application: Create an account for each student, send the Zapp link to the student to complete the application online, monitor the progress, and send to Educatius once done. Once a student has submitted their application, the student will not be able to edit nor update the application. The agent will be the only one that can edit and update the application.

2. Agent completes the application for the student: Create an account for each student, give a paper based application to the student, and then copy everything into the Zapp application before sending it to Educatius.

What is included in the application?

• Student Information

• Academic History and Transcripts

• Language results (if required)

• Student Personal Statement and Questionnaire

• Teacher Recommendations

• Student Photo Album

• Student Passport

• Medical Information and History

• Educatius Signature Pages (program rules, student enrollment agreement, etc.)

Helpful Application Hints

• Educatius will only be able to view the application when it is sent to us through Zapp.

• We will not be able to proceed with the application if essential parts are missing. Please always send a complete application. If a copy of passport or likewise are missing, please confirm when this will be available in order to proceed.

• Please ask your students for pictures with their family, friends, and hobbies – pictures that show their surroundings in their home country. A smile can make all the difference!

• Pictures should not show alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, drugs or people in revealing clothing.

• Please read through the student’s personal statement/ student questionnaire answers and see if you think they are appropriate. We trust in your competence and judgment.

• Ensure that your agency contact information as well as the student’s and parent’s contact information is accurate in the event of an emergency. Educatius and our partner schools will use this contact information for communication and important documentation.

» Each agent has their own account in Zapp and we ask that you provide a phone number for after office hours. We will use this number in case of an emergency.

The Zapp system is also used to log the following

• Acceptance Letter – sent by the individual Receiving Account – sometimes as a document, sometimes as an automated message via Zapp.

• Host Family Placement Details – uploaded by Educatius, as applicable for day school program students.

» You will be notified by Zapp email notification when your student has been placed with a host family.

» Placement details can always be referenced in Zapp.

• Student Arrival & Departure Information – uploaded by agent.

» Please upload student flights at least 10 days prior to the student’s arrival.

• Monthly Contact Form (MCF) – IF APPLICABLE – uploaded by Educatius, as applicable for day school program students. Please be advised some destination countries use a different reporting platform, and not all countries will produce an MCF.

• Student Insurance Cards – uploaded by Educatius for all day school students and boarding students, as applicable.

» Insurance cards for students who are on Educatius insurance will be available on Zapp.

Important! We strongly encourage communication and correspondence relating to individual students to be done via the SVF (Student Virtual Folder) in Zapp. There is a section within this called ‘Counseling Communication & Documentation Center’

This allows all personal communication relating to inviduals to be stored in a secure-password protected environment and is compliant with GDPR regulations.

If you are not familiar with this part of Zapp or would appreciate a refresher please contact us at europe@educatius.org and we can arrange a review.

Top tip! We also advise making use of the Resources section within Zapp. You will find this within the menu options. Within this section we have uploaded additional useful guides, documentation and more.

Payment Process European High School Programs

Our Classic and Select Day School programs are sold as an inclusive package that covers admission fees, tuition fees, HF accommodation and support according to the individual destination country. Our pricelists indicate full inclusions and exclusions for each program.

Within the Educatius Group Agent Agreement there are separate appendices that cover the payment processes for each of our European destinations. All payments are made directly to the specific destination country.

Classic Exchange

First instalment deposit required to confirm acceptance on program. Final instalment due at latest 8 weeks prior to program start date. Late applicants all fees owed in one instalment. Please see specific appendices for the details of the amounts and deadlines.

Select Day Programs

First instalment deposit required to confirm acceptance on program. Some program destinations and types may require an additional payment instalment. Final instalment due at latest 8 weeks prior to program start date. For late applications, fees will be owed in one instalment. Please see specific appendices for the details of the amounts and deadlines.

No student will be able to arrive onto the Classic or Select Day programs without all fees being settled in full prior to arrival.

Select Boarding Programs

The invoicing and payment process can vary from school to school. In many cases the school fee invoice will be issued directly from the school. However, Educatius does also have provision to issue an invoice. Please discuss with your Sales Manager regarding your preferred payment plan.

More details of additional Educatius service fees relating to boarding programs can be found within the relevant appendices within the agent agreemwent.

Please note that private boarding schools will have their own payment schedules.

VAT European Programs

The fees for Educatius Europe package programs do not include VAT (Value-Added-Tax). Agents are responsible for charging VAT to their students. Specific Educatius Europe Finance offices may request a copy of the agents VAT Number or Business Licence, if this not able to be supplied VAT may need to be added to the invoice from Educatius Europe to agent at the local national rate.

Commissions

Generally European package programs are NET and no commissions are paid for the programs. However, if you do wish to add a back commission please discuss with your relevant Sales Manager to receive possible options and commission payment options. Any programs that do offer commissions will have the pay-out structure included within the Agent Agreement.

Visa Information

The visa requirements for each destination country varies. The following page provides an overview along with extra links to government resources to assist further.

Our local teams can provide general advice on visa requirement but we request that our overseas partners make themselves familiar with the process of application as this varies greatly from country to country.

Programs less than 6 months:

• Visitor Visa

Programs more than 6 months:

• State School – Student Visa

A UK SELT exam is needed for this visa type eg. IELTS for UKVI 5.5 :

• Private School – Student Child Visa

Stay (D)

Note that UK and Ireland are not within the Schengen Travel Zone so have different rules regarding short-term programs.

Some visa applications can take several months to complete therefore we always advise visa requiring applicants to be sent to our destinations well in advance of the official application deadline.

Certain nationalities are exempt from applying for the Visitor Visa.

Includes EU, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, USA, Australia, Canada, NZ, Japan, Korea and Taiwan

All EU citizens.

Certain nationalies are exempt from applying for the Long Stay (D) visa in advance and will apply after arrival

https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/

Residence Permit

All EU Citizens.

3 Month progs for nationalities with Schengen visa exemption

https://www.migrationsverket.se/ English/Private-individuals/Studying-in-Sweden/Exchange-studies-in-upper-secondary-school.html

Long
UNITED KINGDOM
IRELAND
SWEDEN

Visa Requirement:

Study Visa

Student Visa

Visa Exemptions: Website for more details:

All EU Citizens.

3 Month progs for nationalities with Schengen visa exemption

All EU Citizens.

3 Month progs for nationalities with Schengen visa exemption

http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/en/ EmbajadasConsulados/Paginas/ index.aspx

Important notes to apply for a student visa:

• Contact the Spanish Embassy or Consulate for specific visa application rules as they vary from country to country and even from Consulate to Consulate

Study Visa

All EU Citizens.

3 Month progs for nationalities with Schengen visa exemption

Long stay Visa (school going minor) All EU Citizens.

3 Month progs for nationalities with Schengen visa exemption

Visa Support Documents provided by Educatius

https://www.studying-in-germany.org/ german-student-visa/

https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/ france-visas/school-going-minor

Each destination has produced an individual guide to the documents that are issued to support visa application. This includes information on when these are released and deadlines. For all continental European programs we aim to issue the complete set of documents no later than 2 months prior to arrival. All Sending partners are asked to cross-reference this document against what their individual visa issuing consulate recommends and highlight in advance if any adjustments are needed.

For information on Schengen visa exemptions a useful website is:

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/#citizens-of-which-countries-don%e2%80%99t-need-aschengen-visa-to-enter-europe

Flights & Arrival Information

Once the placement has been confirmed Educatius will share the following information:

• Designated Arrival /Departure Date (s)

• Designated Arrival / Departures Airport (s)

• Designated Arrival / Departure times

The designated dates, airports and times are set accordingly to allow for adequate onward transfer time to / from Host Family and allows for sufficient support upon arrival at the airport.

Educatius will provide supplementary fees for flights that arrive or depart to different airports, on different dates and at different times.

It is important to provide flight information no later than 10 business days prior to arrival and input via the online enrolment system and not via email. Failure to provide flight information to EDUCATIUS within this timeframe and in the appropriate manner will result in a supplementary fee invoice.

Providing that flight information has been received according to our guidelines and using our online system the airport pickup / departure information will be shared with the student and agent at least five business days before the student arrives.

Educatius organises transfers using the following methods of transportation:

• Host Family or Educatius staff

• Private coach along with other Educatius exchange students arriving at similar times and travelling to similar areas

• Private taxi along with other Educatius exchange students arriving at similar times and travelling to similar areas

• Public transport using coaches or trains – students will be advised by Educatius staff in order to take the correct form of transport and will be met upon arrival at designated drop off by Host Family or local coordinator

Some countries will not confirm departure dates until after the program has commenced. This is often due to the departure date being linked to exam schedules that cannot be confirmed by the host school until later in the academic cycle.

Sweden and Germany have individualized arrival dates for students based on their school start (which varies from region to region). Therefore the local team will confirm the arrival date options on an case by case basis. It is important to not book flights until this information has been issued.

Insurance Requirements

All students on the European Program are required to have full insurance coverage for the duration of their program.

Students are advised to use the first-class travel insurance offered by Educatius, which includes coverage for accidents, health care, luggage, emergency dental care, medical evacuation, repatriation, and third party liability. When the student is enrolled in the insurance plan, he/she will receive an email notification to the email address provided in their Zapp application. They will gain access to the insurance portal, where their insurance ID card is stored.

For any student who insists on using any other insurance policy, the sending organization is required to send clear information about this policy to Educatius at least one month prior to the student’s arrival. If the policy does not meet the required standards, including providing third party liability coverage, Educatius will require the student to use the insurance policy provided by Educatius and invoice the sending organization for this cost.

Please be advised that any student covered by a different policy than the one provided by Educatius cannot be given any assistance from Educatius staff and area representatives in any insurance matter or insurance related questions.

EU nationals do have access to medical treatment within other EU countries with their EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), but the national health insurances do not have coverage for medical evacuation, bedside visitation, dental treatment, death or repatriation. In addition, the national health insurances do not offer coverage for third party liability, luggage, and other items typically covered by travel insurances. Educatius does not cover these either. Therefore a sufficient travel insurance is required.

Please note that students applying for the UNITED KINGDOM under the Student Visa entry route will also be required to pay the Mandatory NHS Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their visa application. This is does not replace a travel insurance.

Pre-Departure Orientation

Educatius asks that all agent partners organize a PreDeparture Orientation for their students. This helps ensure that students arrive to their placement country with a good understanding of program rules, resources, and expectations.

While this orientation can be done in one session, it is often helpful to break this up into two parts: one about two months before departure and the second about a week or two before departure. This gives students ample time to review what is expected of them after the first session and allows you to ensure that they are fully prepared for their program just prior to departure.

Educatius offers resources that may be helpful as you organize your Pre-Departure Orientation, including a Programs Student Handbook and a Pre-Departure Orientation Guide for Agents.

These materials will be sent out to all agent partners well in advance of the fall intake. Should you require any resources or further support as you plan for your Pre-Departure Orientation, please contact the local team.

In addition to your own Pre-Departure Orientation each European country will offer a specialised Orientaion that students, agents and parents will be invited to attend prior to arrival.

These will take the form of live or pre-recorded events and will allow students to interact and learn from our local specialists about their destination of choice and get the opportunity to ask questions directly to our local teams.

The Pre-Departure Orientations take place in the month prior to arrival and each local office will invite students and agents directly.

Resilience training for Educatius students

We have created resilience training for all students, designed by teen mental health professionals and our support staff. This series of trainings proactively addresses stress, anxiety, and other common scenarios that international students may face during their program.

Student training will be available at key stages of their experience:

• Pre-departure before they leave home

• After arrival

• Before the holidays – December (for year-long students)

• Getting ready to return home

Training for students’ parents:

• Pre-departure before they leave home

• After arrival arrival

We are committed to providing the best support to our students before and during their program. To help us do this, please communicate all current and past student physical and psychological medical conditions prior to program start.

On-Program Orientations

Day School Programs

Educatius staff will give a one-day orientation to all students within two weeks of arrival. These orientations are mandatory and a good way for students to meet other international students in the area. The orientation will review program rules and address any student questions or concerns. In some cases the formal orientation will be held online whilst the Local Coordinator will run a more informal orientation with activities in the host city.

Boarding School Programs

All private boarding schools will have an orientation lasting at least one day during which students are tested in English and Math, Select their courses, get a tour of the school, and receive all pertinent information. Orientations may vary depending on each school.

Soft Landing Camps

For the perfect start to a High School program in Europe we highly recommend students book our Soft Landing Camp.

Statistic show that students who attend the Soft Landing Camp settle in faster on their program than those who go direct to their Host Family placement.

Organised by our local destination offices the Soft Landing Camps take place several days before the official start of the High School program start dates.

It is a great chance for exchange students to meet other international students, have fun and make new friendships before the exchange program even starts. In addition, there will be a program of supervised sightseeing tours and city visits allowing students the opportunity to have a touristic fun experience.

Students will enjoy on campus games and activities to ‘break the ice’ and settle into prior to moving onto their placement areas.

The entire thing is supervised by Educatius staff and ambassadors who will provide more useful information, tips and last minute advice about settling into the program.

For those partners who do not offer these options to their students and require extra training to support selling this please do get in touch with our teams!

United Kingdom

• Location of Soft Landing Camp: London

• Number of Days: 3 nights / 4 days

Ireland

• Location of Soft Landing Camp: Dublin

• Number of Days: 3 nights / 4 days

Spain

• Location of Soft Landing Camp: Barcelona

• Number of Days: 4 nights / 5 days

France

• Location of Soft Landing Camp: Paris

• Number of Days: 3 nights / 4 days

Sweden

• Location of Soft Landing Camp: Stockholm

• Number of Days: 3 nights / 4 days

Italy

• Location of Soft Landing Camp: Milan

• Number of Days: 3 nights / 4 days

Germany

• Location of Soft Landing Camp: Berlin / Frankfurt

• Number of Days: 2 nights / 3 days

Host Family Accommodation

Day School

Students enrolled on the Classic and Select Day programs will be accommodated with an Educatius-vetted host family.

Living with a host family can offer a unique and rewarding cultural exchange experience, providing the opportunity to develop meaningful connections with local people and immerse oneself in a new culture. Our families come from all walks of life and have a variety of family structures (i.e. 2 parent families with children, families with no children, single parents, etc.).

We will place students with a fully-screened host family. The screening process includes a detailed application, an in-home visit and criminal background checks.

Many families will accept two students in their home. This is called a double placement. Students in a double placement will not speak the same native language. Sometimes they will share a room. If so, each student will have their own bed and storage area for clothes. In Ireland triple placements are also common.

The host family PDF profile, including pictures of the family and the home, and the placement confirmation form (PCF) will be sent to you through Zapp. Select Program students will receive their host family placements at least four weeks prior to the program start date. Classic Exchange program students will receive their host family placements at least two weeks prior to the start. Once placement details are sent to you, please encourage the student to introduce himself/herself to the host family. We kindly ask that natural parents do not contact the host family.

Students cannot request to live with a family of a certain religion, race, economic status, or structure.

Students can expect:

• A Bedroom – A furnished bedroom with a place for clothing storage, which may be shared with another student or host family sibling of similar age and same gender.

• Study Space – A suitable place to study.

• Meals according to the individual country meal plan.

Once on the program, students are asked to try to adapt to the family for at least 30 days. The student and host family will always have the support of the Local Coordinator. We understand that it can take some time to adjust to a new culture, family, friends and school, and that culture shock and homesickness might affect some students. Please encourage your students to become independent and successful by motivating them to work directly with the Local Coordinator to get to the root of the problem, should one arise.

The host family and Local Coordinator will help the student become acclimated to their neighbourhood and community. The host family and Local Coordinator will help the student become comfortable with their commute to/from school and social activities. While our host families will wish to share their town, region and country with students they are not required to provide a programme of sightseeing and touristic activities as part of their hosting duties.

Host Family Moves

With the best intentions in the world, it can happen that a host family and student match that looks perfect on paper, does not work out in real life. Our experienced Local Coordinators, supported by managers, will seek to address, and resolve any concerns. It is the expectation that all parties will make a good faith effort to resolve any issues or dissatisfaction. If necessary, however, we will find a new qualified family to host the student.

If a new host family is required, the student will move within 4 weeks from the date the move decision has been made. Educatius will share the new host family profile and confirmed move date with the agent before moving the student.

If there is a reasonable concern that the student’s safety is at risk, the student will be moved immediately to a temporary host family and the agent will be informed as soon as practical.

• Transportation – The host family or Local Coordinator will provide advice and guidance on how a student is to travel from home to school, as well as from extracurricular activities. The mode of transportation might be school bus or public bus/subway. Additional transportation costs may be applicable, and the mode of transportation to/from school will be outlined when the placement is confirmed and issued. The school commute will vary from country to country.

Boarding School Program – Dormitory

Living on campus at a boarding school dormitory is an exciting experience for international students. Schools take great care to provide some of the best accommodations available to students. In most cases, international high school students will be sharing a room with other students. Room setup can be anything from two students in one room using a common bathroom, to four students in a room with a shared bathroom. Some boarding schools also offer single rooms, but they are usually reserved final year year students.

Boarding schools provide students with all the on-site services they need. There is typically 24-hour adult supervision, providing students the chance to ask questions about homework assignments or for help during challenging times. Here are some of the reasons that students love boarding school life:

• Students get to live with friends and classmates

• Boarding schools make campus life fun by offering activities after classes

• International students can practice their English in the dorms with friends

• Students have access to varied food options during mealtimes

• Classes are usually only walking distance away

• Help is always right around the corner, whether it is a classmate or an adult supervisor

• Some schools coordinate trips for dorm students. These off-campus trips can take place on weekends or during vacations and can include: visiting a nearby city/town for shopping or sightseeing, going to the beach, visiting the local amusement park, hiking, skiing, and more.

Boarding schools are typically closed during holiday Educatius and/or school partner will assist students with finding host family for breaks. Please note that when the student stays in a host family for a school break, they are charged an extra fee.

Guardianship in UK Boarding Schools

UK Boarding School programs also require a UK-based Guardian . Educatius offers a comprehensive Guardianship service that meets the requirements of schools, UK Immigration and of the student and their parents. This is a vital component of the Boarding costs and is an additional fee to those charged by the school. Please visit the specific section in the appendices for more information about the UK Guardianship program.

Expectations and Services

Educatius Europe strives to provide our partners with clear guidelines as to what agents and students can expect prior to and during a student’s program. These expectations and our service commitment are applicable to all parties –natural parents and students, agents, host families, and Educatius Europe.

Agent Expectations

• Training and onboarding when establishing partnership with Educatius or as needed, including an overview of all resources to best promote Educatius’ programs

• Support from the Individual Placement and Admissions teams for application and pre-arrival questions or concerns

• Support from the Individual Placement and Admissions teams for on-program questions or concerns

• Timely communication from Educatius staff; Educatius staff aims to reply to any agent communication within one business day

• Access to Educatius’ 24/7 emergency number

Natural Parent and Student Expectations

• Placement in an Educatius partner school (public day school, private day school, or private boarding school)

• Placement in a screened Educatius host family or boarding school accommodation

Meal plan according to individual country plan but no less than half board (breakfast&dinner)

• A bedroom with clothing storage, and a suitable place to study in the home

• Airport pick up and drop off

• Educa tius Europe staff, and local agent support for the duration of the program

• Access to 24/7 emergency number

Host Family Expectations

• Student to follow Educatius program rules as well as host family rules

• Student to participate in family activities

• Student to help with household chores

• Student to keep his/her bedroom in order

• Student to communicate any problems or questions to their Local Coordinator

• Student to adapt to local, social, and culinary environment

• Student to perform his/her best at school

Educatius Expectations

• Program is sold realistically; any doubts will be clarified before acceptance on the program

• Problems will be solved together with the agent

• Students come to the program well-prepared (including having attended a Pre-Departure Orientation that covers cultural differences, what is expected on Educatius’ academic program, ways in which students should communicate, and more)

• Agent partners immediately share information about changes that can influence the student’s safety or success on the program (such as health issues, bad grades before the program start, flight changes, etc.)

All agents are provided with our agent agreement. It is important that this document is read in full, signed, and returned to us. Any bookings accepted by Educatius Group constitute an agreement of the terms and conditions in the agent agreement, irrespective of whether the agreement is signed by the agent or not.

On-Program Support

Educatius has a network of local coordinators throughout all of our placement countries.

The coordinators are used to working with young people and taking care of them.

Before a student is placed in a host family, a coordinator will check the housing situation.

The Local Coordinator will prepare the host family for the arrival of their student and they will also provide assistance with settling in.

During the exchange program, the coordinator regularly keeps in contact with the student and the host family. The coordinator may keep in touch via phone. The coordinators are responsible for completing reports.

These reports are forwarded to our agents. Some destinations do not issue reports monthly but rather upon arrival and then once towards the end of each term. If reports are not issued monthly the coordinator will still be in contact with the student with any cause for concern raised and followed up.

Should problems arise, the coordinator will help the student and the host family to solve them or will help find a new host family if the problems become unsolvable. The coordinator will do their best to ensure that the whole program runs smoothly for both the student and the host family.

Note: If there are issues that occur between the student and the host family, we will take three steps to improve the situation:

1. Round Table Discussion: All members of the host family, the student, and the coordinator sit down together and discuss what every member of the host family can do in order to improve the situation (stated in written document). All host family members have two weeks to work on the situation.

2. Positive Action Plan: The student is issued a document which explains the issues that still do not work out and who raised those issues. The student is presented suggestions to improve the situation within two weeks.

3. Final Warning Letter: The student is warned one last time that he/she must work on the issues that are going wrong. After two weeks of no improvement, the student is sent back to his/ her home country.

The Local Coordinator and/or the Local Educatius office may also organise additional activities and trips throughout the stay. These can include meals together before holiday periods, visits to local attractions or organised overnight excursions. Some events will have an additional fee that students who wish to participate will need to pay for.

High School in the United Kingdom

About the UK

The UK is a small country which has an unrivalled popularity. Thanks to its unique cultural traditions, fascinating history and some of the world's best educational institutions, it has held its position as one of the world's top study abroad destinations for many years. The UK truly has something for everyone – from stunning natural scenery, iconic youthful cities such as London, Manchester and Edinburgh and breathtaking architecture and historical sites everywhere you look. British weather is typically cold in autumn and winter, with spring and summer giving way to hot and sunny days. The UK is a friendly country with a long tradition of welcoming people from all over the world.

Main language spoken

English. For UK State School applications of more than 6 months in duration a UKVI approved English test is required before school acceptance. Examples of this test include IELTS for UKVI (General/Academic) 5.5. For all other products and short-term options schools and Educatius will issue English tests.

Programs Available

• Classic Exchange – Ages 14–18. Non Visitor Visa Requiring Nationals Only

• Select State – Ages 16–18. All Nationalities

• Select Private Boarding – Ages 11–17. All Nationalities

Host Family Information

Host families in the UK are paid a monthly stipend by Educatius.

Host families are from all walks of life and come in different shapes and sizes in all parts of the country. All families are screened prior to being accepted by us and this process includes submitting an online application, undergoing referencing and background checks, an interview with one of our Local Coordinators and a personal visit to their home.

Many of our British host families have been hosting with us for several years and they have a proud tradition of welcoming

international exchange students into their homes. Host families are not necessarily traditional families with a mother, father, and children. Our hosts can be single women with no children or a family of two parents whose children have already moved out, for example. Some of our British host families have large homes and therefore may have space to host more than one exchange student at once.

When we arrange double placements such as this, we always ensure that the students are of different nationalities so that only English is spoken at home.

One of the advantages of the UK Day school program is that placements are typically in medium to large towns and cities providing exchange students with a wealth of extra curricular activities and socializing prospects.

School Information

The Educatius programme is open to applicants aged 11+. However our Public School program is exclusively for ages 16+.

UK Education Pathway

British students study at Secondary School from ages 11 to 15 and at Sixth Form College from ages 16 to 18. In the last two years of Secondary School, they prepare for GCSE exams, focusing on core subjects like English, Maths, and Science. They also choose 5–6 subjects from various fields such as creative subjects, humanities, technologies, and languages. After successfully completing the GCSE exams, students move on to Sixth Form College, where they have more freedom to select subjects they are passionate about and start specializing for university or work.

In the UK, students aged 16–18 study either A Levels, BTECs, or a combination of both.

A Level stands for Advanced Level; these are two-year courses in traditional academic subjects, offering a choice of up to 35

Level of Education

University

A Level / IB Diploma / Career-Focused Diploma – 2nd Year

A Level / IB Diploma / Career-Focused Diploma – 1st Year

GCSE 2nd Year or One-Year Condensed GCSE / Pre-A Level

GCSE 1st Year

Secondary School 3rd Year

Secondary School 2nd Year

Secondary School 1st Year

different subjects. Students choose three subjects to study, take exams at the end, and successful results allow progression to university. This education pathway equips students with exceptional abilities for higher education through daily attendance, timetabled lessons, study periods, and independent study.

BTEC stands for the Business and Technology Education Council; these are specialist work-related qualifications and combine practical learning with written content. Due to the practical elements, students usually study one or two subjects in BTEC, which require more time on the timetable.

The full list of subjects offered at each Educatius UK School can be found on our school profiles and within our availability lists.

Change of subjects

Students must indicate their subject preferences clearly in their Zapp application form. The Educatius team considers these preferences when making school applications. In some cases, students may decide to change one of their subjects after starting their studies in the UK. We will discuss this with the school and provide alternative subject options to the student. While Educatius strives to support subject changes, it's important to note that it may not always be possible if classes are full or timetable conflicts arise.

It is extremely rare for Classic Exchange students to have the option to change or be selective with subjects.

Reports and progress

Schools and colleges monitor student progress and address concerns about attendance or progress with the student and Educatius UK. Periodic reports or online monitoring systems may be used to track homework submission, teacher comments, and attendance rates. At the end of the program, schools provide a

Notes

Not offered

All students start in this grade post 16+ regardless of age

Only available in our Boarding portfolio

Only available in our Boarding portfolio

Only available in our Boarding portfolio

Only available in our Boarding portfolio

Only available in our Boarding portfolio

final report detailing attendance, subjects studied, study dates, and grades, which are shared with agents after the student's departure.

Short-Term Students

In order to ‘graduate’ from High School in the UK it is necessary to commit for 2 full years to complete the academic cycles. 1 year, Term or 1.5 term students (semester) will follow similar classes to the 2 year students though they will not sit the final exams and not earn the qualification.. Some schools will have restrictions on the subjects that short-term applicants will be able to follow. Our Availability Lists and Profiles include details of this.

Academic Calendar

The UK Academic Year spans from September to June/July, divided into three terms:

Term 1 – September to December

Term 2 – January to March

Term 3 – April to June

Term 3 is dedicated to revision and exam preparation, and we do not accept applicants during this period. There are additional 2-week holiday periods between terms, along with mid-term breaks in October, February, and May. Each school or college sets its own term dates, typically confirmed midway through the previous year.

It is important for students and parents to be aware of these dates and avoid booking travel during term time, as travel is only authorized during school or college holidays. The academic year usually concludes after the final formal exams, with GCSE and A Level exams typically completed by the end of June.

UK Guardianship for Private Boarding Schools

UK Private Boarding Schools request international students to appoint a UK Educational Guardian to oversee the welfare of the student whilst they’re in the country. This step is necessary to allow the school to meet safeguarding expectations and UK Visa and Immigration regulations. Any student who has applied for an Educatius UK Private Boarding School programme will be enrolled on the Educatius Guardianship Programme automatically – this is a compulsory element of the programme.

It’s important not to confuse the term ‘Educational Guardian’ with ‘Legal Guardian’ as these two terms denote very different responsibilities. The parents or legal guardians of the student will maintain their legal responsibilities whilst the student is on the programme – their rights do not change. The Educational Guardian is installed to act in loco parentis to support the student whilst they are in the UK. In most cases this will involve the close working of the Guardianship organization and the student’s sending organization and parents when it comes to making decisions relating to the student. In emergency situations such as serious health issues, the Educational Guardian will have permission from the legal guardian to make important decisions on their behalf. In no way does the Educational Guardian replace parents, instead their presence provides an extra level of security. An Educational Guardian will not be in any way related to the school and their focus is on promoting the welfare and interests of the student.

Where do Educatius work?

Educatius UK work with Private Boarding School partners across the UK. Our host family placement areas are equally spread across the country and so our students have the option to experience life in an entirely new area if they require host family accommodation over school breaks.

What is included in the Educatius Guardianship Package?

• A dedicated Educational Guardian from within the Educatius UK Team

• Academic support to include:

– Advice on choice of subjects and studying in the UKAssitance with changing subjects if requested post-arrival

– Academic reports collected from school as they are i issued

– Assistance with school-related issues.

• Option to sign up for Educatius Group English Language

• 24/7 emergency support

• Pre-departure orientation meeting

• Travel guidance and assistance with transfer bookings*

• Termly welfare and progress reports

• Visit from Educational Guardian:

Programme Length Number of visits per programme

Term/Semester 1 Academic Year 3

• Access to Host Family placement service over school holidays or emergency situations*

• Regular feedback from student, school and host families

• Enhanced safeguarding checks carried out on all host families and staff

• Attendance at school events and parents evening*

• Assistance with parent and family visits – advice regarding travel and accommodation

• Access to Visa application support*

* These services will incur an additional charge to be deducted from the student’s Edcuatius Expenses Deposit.

What is the Expenses Deposit?

The Expenses Deposit is held to cover any additional guardianship costs accrued during the student’s programme. This is refundable at the end of the student’s programme minus any costs. Examples of additional costs involved with the UK Private Boarding programme include:

• Airport transfers

• Transport to and from school and host family accommodation during holiday times

• Full board host family accommodation during holiday times

• Guardian attendance at school event/parent evening

• Additional in-person meetings with student at the request of parents.

High School in Ireland

About Ireland

Ireland is a small country with an impressive reputation. Thanks to its unique cultural traditions, breathtaking scenery and some of the world's best educational institutions, it has held its position as one of the world's top study abroad destinations for many years. Also known as the 'Emerald Isle', Ireland is perhaps most famous for its rolling green hills and picture-perfect landscapes. The weather in Ireland is typically cold in autumn and winter, with spring and summer giving way to more mild and sunny days. Ireland is a safe country where the people are known for being friendly, generous and hospitable.

Main language spoken English.

Programs Available

• Classic Exchange – Ages 13–18. EU Citizens Only

• Select State – Ages 13–18. EU Citizens Only

• Select Private Day – Ages 13–18. All Nationalities

Host Family Information

Host families in Ireland are paid a monthly stipend by Educatius. Host families are from all walks of life and come in different shapes and sizes in all parts of the country. All families are screened prior to being accepted by us and this process includes submitting an online application, undergoing referencing and background checks, an interview with one of our Local Coordinators and a personal visit to their home. Many of our Irish host families have been hosting with us for several years and they have a proud tradition of welcoming international exchange students into their homes. Host families are not necessarily traditional families with a mother, father, and children. Our hosts can be single women with no children or a family of two parents whose children have already moved out, for example. The majority of our Irish host families have large homes and therefore may have space to host more than one exchange student at once. When we arrange double placements such as this, we always ensure that the students are of different nationalities so that only English is

spoken at home. In some cases there are triple placements.

Outside of major cities like Dublin and Cork there are few urban centres and most students find themselves in rural and small-town environments.

School Information

Schools are traditional with uniform mandatory in almost all schools. Almost half of Irish students attend a single-sex school and these are very common on the Educatius program.

Ireland Education Pathway

Studying in an Irish Secondary school is an exciting and academically challenging experience. The Irish education system may differ from the system of your home country so please find an overview below.

The Irish Secondary School System contains three stages: Junior Cycle, Transition Year (optional), and Senior Cycle

Junior Cycle

The junior cycle is a 3 year programme, culminating in the Junior Certificate Examination. The Junior Certificate examination is sat in all subjects (usually 10 or 11) in early June, directly after the end of the school year.

Exchange students are usually placed in 2nd year, as 3rd year in the Irish school system is heavily focussed on preparation for the Junior Certificate.

Transition Year

Transition Year is an optional one-year school programme that can be taken the year after Junior Certificate in Ireland. Irish students may skip Transition Year, and choose to proceed directly to 5th year. This year is designed around allowing students to build life-skills and engage in work experience. Both foreign and local trips are made available to students

Level of Education

1st (11 years)

2nd (12)

3rd (13)

4th (14–15)

5th (16–17)

6th (17–18)

Age

Junior Cycle Yr 1

Junior Cycle Yr 2

Junior Cycle Yr 3

Transition Year

Leaving Cycle Yr 1

Leaving Cycle Yr 2

during this year, in order to give a more hands-on aspect to learning.

Students follow a set of core subjects including English and Mathematics, plus taster subjects that run in 10-week blocks. This allows student the chance to follow a range of diverse classes. In addition there are scheduled experience classes with activities that range from fashion design to sports to work experience and more.

Transition year is a very popular choice for foreign exchange students, as there is less of a focus on exam preparation, and more focus practical and real-world skills.

Senior Cycle

The Senior Cycle is a two-year programme designed to prepare students for The Leaving Certificate Examination. The Leaving Certificate Examination takes place directly at the end of 6th Year.

Subjects at the Senior Cycle level can be studied at Ordinary Level or Higher Level. Students normally study 6 or 7 subjects during the Senior Cycle. Students must study a minimum of 5 subjects. In most schools, English, Irish and Maths are a compulsory part of Senior Cycle Programme, however an exemption for Irish Language can be sought for foreign students.

A variety of continental languages can be studied at the Senior Cycle level, including, French, German, and Spanish, however not all languages are offered by all secondary schools and students usually can only study one language.

Foreign exchange students usually choose to study on a 5th Year programme, unless trying to gain entry to the 3rd level education system in Ireland.

Reports and progress

Schools and colleges monitor student progress and address concerns about attendance or progress with the student

Notes

Not offered

Direct entry not usually on offer

Most under 16s attend this year

Most 16+ attend this year

Direct entry available in some schools. But not all

and Educatius Ireland. Periodic reports or online monitoring systems may be used to track homework submission, teacher comments, and attendance rates. At the end of the program, schools provide a final report detailing attendance, subjects studied, study dates, and grades, which are shared with agents after the student's departure.

Academic Calendar

The Irish Academic Year runs from September to June/July. Each Academic Year is made up of 3 terms:

Term 1 – August to December

Term 2 – January to March

Term 3 – April to May

Term 3 is traditionally a revision and exam preparation term and we do not accept applicants for this period. Between term 1, 2 and 3 is a 2 week holiday period which is in addition to mid-term breaks in October, February and May.

School term dates are standardized by the department of education, this means that all schools will start and finish on the same date.

High School in Spain

About Spain

Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula together with Portugal and one of the six European microstates, the Principality of Andorra. Spain is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Cantabric and Mediterranean Sea. It also counts on two archipelagos, Canary and Balearic Islands; and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla. The Iberian geography has a great impact on the climate, fauna and flora of the country. Thus, there is a huge diversity and a broad difference in landscapes, weather, animals and plants; ranging from the greenish and rainy North, which reminds of Ireland and Scotland, to the drier and charming South, full of colours, light and world-famous local customs.

Main language spoken

Spanish is the official language all over the country. However, Catalan, Basque, Valencian and Galician are also co-official languages in some regions. There are other dialects and Spanish variations, but this might have little or no impact in the language learning process. We encourage them to participate in Spanish lessons prior to arrival if they have not had any previous Spanish experience. We accept students with no knowledge of the language but, in this case, we encourage them to take the online three-week preparation course that we offer prior to the program start.

Programs Available

• Classic Exchange – Ages 14–18. All Nationalities

• Select Private Day – Ages 14–18. All Nationalities

• Select Private Boarding – Ages 14–18. All Nationalities

Host Family Information

All Spanish host families undergo a thorough selection process, including home visits, interviews, and background checks conducted by Educatius representatives. These families consist of two or more Spanish-speaking members and offer students accommodation, study spaces, and meals. Some families may also host another exchange student. Typically, these families

are middle-class and enthusiastic about sharing their lives with students, often having prior hosting experience. Students are expected to share their own culture and lifestyle, as the families are interested in learning about their home countries. In cases where the family has young children, students may be asked to converse in English or their native language occasionally to promote open-mindedness and cultural exchange. Students should actively participate in daily activities, family life, and household chores, treating the experience as becoming a new family member. It is essential to respect curfews, rules set by the host family, and the guidelines of the program.

School Information

The Educatius programme is open to applicants aged 14+.

Spain Education Pathway

In Spain, Education is compulsory and free for all children aged between 6 and 16 years, and it is supported by the national government together with the governments of each of the country’s 17 autonomous communities.

The system is divided in 3 main cycles. The first two of them are compulsory. The last one is aimed at students aged 16–18 willing to continue with higher education in the future.

FIRST CYCLE: Primary school (6 to 12 y.o.).

Primary school is studied at Colegios (schools). They can be public, private or semi-private.

SECOND CYCLE: Secondary school (AKA ESO – Compulsory Secondary Education) (12–16 y.o.)

If students complete the four years they will be awarded the Graduate of Secondary Education Certificate or Graduado en Educación Secundaria. Secondary school is either studied at Colegios (if these are private or semiprivate) or Institutos, also known as I.E.S. – meaning Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria (Secondary Education High School). These are schools aimed both at Secondary school years and Bachillerato.

THIRD CYCLE: is Spanish Upper Secondary Education (Not compulsory, 16 to 17–18 y.o.).

• 1º of Bachillerato

• 2º of Bachillerato

These last two years are studied both at Institutos or Colegios, same as Secondary Education. Both years are compulsory to access Spanish Universities, and after them, students normally take the University Entrance Exam, also known as Selectividad.

Most exchange students in Spain will sit either 4º de la ESO or 1º de Bachillerato, depending on their age, previous studies and the requirements dictated by the Spanish Ministry of Education. School uniform is only mandatory in private schools.

Bachillerato Diploma Spanish high schools only provide baccalaureate graduation diplomas to students who have studied and passed 2º Bachillerato in the Spanish school system and have convalidated their prior studies.

Spanish school system is not known for being particularly flexible in terms of subjects, as the Ministry of Education approves and states the subjects most students should take. They are though several itineraries offered, such as Pure Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Compulsory subjects for all students:

• Spanish language and literature,

• English

• Philosophy

• Physical Education.

Itinerary subjects (3 subjects per itinerary, *marked subjects are mandatory):

• Pure sciences: Maths*, Physics & Chemistry, Biology & Geology, Technical Drawing.

• Social sciences: Maths applied to social sciences*, History of the contemporary world, economy, literature.

• Humanities: Latin*, Greek, History of the Contemporary World, Universal Literature, Art History.

Elective subjects (2 subjects to be studied 2h/week):

• Music

• Religion

• Ethics

• Artistic/technical drawing

• Industrial technology

• IT

• Second language: French or German

• Applied anatomy

• Scientific culture

• Co-official language in the area if that’s the case.

Students should expect spending around 300/350€ on school books.

Schools in Spain are very academic, requiring note taking during lectures and several hours of self study daily.

Academic Calendar

The school year starts in mid September and ends in June (beginning of the month for students who pass every subject, end of the month for those re-sitting exams). The year is divided in three terms interrupted by Christmas and Easter holidays. Lessons take place from Monday to Friday, normally from 8 am to 2 pm.

The two main holiday periods are Christmas (10 days) and Easter (7 days).

High School in France

About France

France is an ideal destination for a high school exchange program due to its rich history, diverse culture, and breathtaking landmarks. From exploring the iconic Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum in Paris to experiencing the charm of picturesque towns like Provence and the French Riviera, students have endless opportunities to broaden their horizons and immerse themselves in a new cultural environment. Additionally, French cuisine, renowned for its culinary excellence, offers a delightful gastronomic adventure, further enhancing the overall experience of a high school exchange in France.

Main language spoken

The French language holds immense significance in France, making it essential for teenage students participating in a cultural exchange program. Being the official language of the country, French is not only a means of communication but also a gateway to understanding French culture, history, and literature. Proficiency in French enables students to fully immerse themselves in the French way of life, fostering meaningful connections, and enhancing their overall cultural experience during their stay in France.

For our Classic Exchange program it is not necessary to demonstrate a level of French. However, they are expected to have a good level of English and be willing to make the commitment to studying French. Students should always try to speak French during their time in France. They may be uncomfortable with their skills in the beginning, but they will quickly notice how they become more and more fluent for each day.

Programs Available

• Classic Exchange – Ages 13–18. All Nationalities

• Select Private Day – Ages 13–18. All Nationalities

• Select Private Boarding – Ages 13–18. All Nationalities

Host Family Information

French families provide a warm and welcoming environment

for foreign teenagers participating in exchange programs. With a strong emphasis on family values, they offer a sense of belonging and support during the stay. French families often enjoy sharing their traditions, cuisine, and daily routines, allowing teenagers to gain an authentic understanding of French culture. Living with a French family also offers opportunities to improve language skills, as conversations and interactions are conducted primarily in French. The experience of being hosted by a French family fosters lasting connections, cultural exchange, and cherished memories that endure beyond the duration of the program.

France Education Pathway

In the French high school system, the grades following grade 9 (collège) are known as "seconde," (grade 10) "première," (grade 11) and "terminale." (grade 12).

Seconde, which is equivalent to grade 10, serves as a transition year from collège to the final years of high school. During this year, students have a wide range of subjects to study, including French, mathematics, sciences, foreign languages, humanities, and physical education. Seconde allows students to explore different academic disciplines and gain a solid foundation before specializing in specific areas.

Première, equivalent to grade 11, is an important year where students begin to focus on their chosen specialization, which could be in literature, science, economics, or other fields. This year is marked by in-depth study in these selected areas, while still covering core subjects like French and mathematics. Première also prepares students for the rigorous demands of Terminale and the upcoming Baccalauréat examination.

Terminale, the final year of high school, corresponds to grade 12. It is a crucial year for students as they prepare for the French Baccalauréat examination. In Terminale, students continue to study core subjects, but they also have the oppor-

tunity to choose specialized subjects based on their interests and career aspirations. These specialized subjects can include literature, science, economics, social sciences, or even vocational subjects in lycée professionnel.

Terminale culminates with the Baccalauréat examination, which is a nationally standardized test. The results of this examination play a significant role in determining students' eligibility for higher education institutions. Successful completion of the Baccalauréat is a prerequisite for university admission in France.

Academic Calendar

In France, the academic calendar for high school typically follows a similar structure across the country.

There are 3 trimesters:

Premier trimestre (First Trimester) – September to December – During this period, students engage in regular classes, assessments, and exams.

Deuxième trimestre (Second Trimester) – The second trimester spans from January to March. Students continue their coursework and assessments during this period.

Troisième trimestre (Third Trimester) – The third trimester extends from April to June. Students focus on completing their remaining coursework, preparing for exams, and final assessments.

Throughout the school year there are several breaks including during Christmas and Easter.

It's important to note that specific dates for breaks and holidays may vary between different regions and school districts in France. The academic calendar is set by the Ministry of Education but can be subject to slight variations depending on local circumstances.

High School in Germany

About Germany

Germany is a beautiful and diverse country – you can find impressive landscapes like the Alps, blue lakes, the Baltic and North sea with its endless beaches, but also big cities like Berlin, Munich or Cologne. Furthermore Germany offers a high living standard and is known for its flourishing economy and high technology standards – it is the biggest export nation in the world, and there are many succesful German companies like Volkswagen, Bosch, or Adidas. On the other site you can discover a huge range of different cultural offers and you can experience a lot of German traditions like the “Oktoberfest” or the “Weihnachtsmarkt”.

Main language spoken

More Europeans are native speakers of German than of English, French, Italian or Spanish due to the fact that German is also spoken in Austria, Switzerland and parts of other countries. In Germany we have many different dialects – so it might be possible that a host family speaks a dialect and it might be a little bit hard to get used to it. But don´t worry, there are a lot of words which sound or look similar as equivalent English words like “Finger = finger”, Hand = hand”, or “Mutter = mother.

To access our programs directly it's necessary to demonstrate a minimum of A2 level of German, but preferably B1. We do have limited spots for A1 (low level) German with a mandatory supplement.

Programs Available

• Classic Exchange – Ages 15–17. All Nationalities.

Host Family Information

Host families have different kinds of backgrounds, religions, and professions. When selecting a host family, we do not focus as much on the standard of living or the size of house as on the family’s interest in and curiosity about inter-cultural exchange. An obvious criterion is that the family is financially stable and can assume the burden of supporting an additional family member.

The host family is not necessarily a traditional family with a mother, father, and children. It can be a single person with no children, a single parent, or a family whose children have already moved out. The majority of families have children who have spent a year abroad or who are currently abroad and therefore have a vacant room for an exchange student. All host families share the same interest in young people and new experiences.

School Information

The Educatius programme is open to applicants aged 15+.

Germany Education Pathway

All students are placed in public high schools unless otherwise approved. Schools can be located in either urban or rural areas. Generally speaking, the average student-teacher ratio in German public high school classes is 30:1. The German system has several kinds of secondary schools. Most students that apply for a year abroad attend a school with the highest educational level called a “Gymnasium.” This is a college preparatory school and takes German students up to the 12th grade (in some schools 13th grade). In order to graduate from the “Gymnasium,” the students have to pass a difficult set of exams called the “Abitur.” Exchange students with B1+ level of German may be placed in Grade 11 of Abitur, those with lower level are typically placed in 10th Grade in a Realschule.

We use the following types of schools in Germany:

• Realschule (10 years)

• Gymnasium (12–13 years)

In the “Gymnasium,” students have to take about 12 courses each year. Until the 10th grade, they follow a set schedule of courses. The usual set of courses includes: German, English, French, History, Geography, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Social Studies, PE, Art or Music, and Computer Science. From grade 1–10, the classes are basically the same at each school. Classes 11–12/13 are more difficult. Students will have to elect

special courses (emphasis on languages or science) in grades 11–12/13.

The school chooses the student’s class level based on the last academic year performance of the candidate as well as age, German language knowledge, and availability in the German school. Please note that in Germany, grades 11, 12, and 13 are the final preparatory years and prepare the students for the German school exit exam, the “Abitur”. The majority of German schools do not want to place exchange students in these preparation classes. Therefore, it is possible that the student will be placed in grade 10 where the classmates are around 15 or 16 years old, even if the exchange student is older. Also note that schools are NOT required to issue a diploma/report card to foreign students, and most high schools do not issue a regular diploma/report card to international students. The teacher chooses the subjects in consultation with the candidate on the basis of the combination of subjects offered by the school. The schools are to decide in which grade the student will be placed. It is not permitted to change grades unless authorized by the school.

Academic Calendar

Schools in Germany have two half years (2 semesters). Depending on the "Bundesland" (German federal state), school starts after a six-week summer vacation in July/August/September and runs until late January. The second semester starts at the end of January/ beginning of February and runs until summer, again depending on the "Bundesland".

Note: Educatius Germany has fixed program dates, regardless of the “Bundesland” the student lives in. It may occur that the school year has already begun when the student arrives or that the school year has not yet ended when the student leaves the program. It is not possible to change the program dates for school year date reasons.

High School in Sweden

About Sweden

Sweden is a fantastic country to experience as an exchange student. The country is known for its forest-covered landscapes, chilly weather, amazing music export, and so-called “fika” breaks.

Here you get the chance to learn a brand-new language and get a true insight into the Swedish culture and everything that comes with. You get to celebrate Kanelbullens dag (yes, they have a day fully dedicated to cinnamon buns), experience a snowy winter, and maybe see a moose or two. Välkommen till Sverige!

Main language spoken

Swedish in the main language spoken. In schools students will find that they will be in classes which are taught completely in Swedish. Students who choose to attend the program should be aware that this is a cultural exchange program rather than an academic program. As all classes in school are taught in the local language, students with no prior knowledge of the language will have a hard time in the beginning. They will, however, learn the local language as they go along and they will also be able to make themselves understood also in the beginning of the program, as English is spoken by many people in Sweden.. However, Swedish is a hard language to learn. We encourage students to take online Swedish lessons, alongside talking Swedish with their friends and host family. There are several language apps that we recommend the students to use prior to arrival.

Programs Available

• Classic Exchange – Ages 15.5–18. All Nationalities.

Host Family Information

Host families in Sweden are paid a small fee to host exchange students and they choose the students based on their description in the application and how well they think a student will fit into their family. The host families are therefore

very motivated, and wish to learn a lot about their exchange student and where he/she is coming from. Our host families are from all walks of life and come in all shapes and sizes in all parts of the country. All families are screened prior to placement, including submitting an online host family application, reference- and background checks and a personal visit with the host family in their home. We place students in single parent homes with or without children living in the host home. Families in Sweden are usually small, with people valuing a close and stable family life. Swedes are known to be very openminded, happy to learn about other cultures and very active people. The host family is not necessarily a traditional family with a mother, father, and children. It can be a single person with no children, a single parent, or a family whose children have already moved out. The majority of families have children who have spent a year abroad or who are currently abroad and therefore have a vacant room for an exchange student. All host families share the same interest in young people and new experiences.

School Information

The Educatius programme is open to applicants aged 15.5+.

Sweden Education Pathway

The school system in Sweden places a lot of responsibility in the hands of the students, and as such exchange students in Sweden will have a lot of freedom and independence, while having a relaxed relationship with teachers.

The student will normally attend school from 8 AM to 3 PM with a couple of short breaks and lunch around noon.

The first thing to know is that we offer a classic high school program, which means that exchange students are not able to choose which school nor program to apply to. We apply to several schools in the local area for each exchange student. Then it is up to the school to accept the individual student and

place the student on a program and a year where they have a school spot.

Secondly, Swedish schools are not required to host exchange students and their reasons for not accepting an individual student can be many. One reason is that all schools receive government funding for the Swedish students but not for exchange students. Another reason is that the classes are often full, and the school needs to prioritize Swedish students.

Thirdly, it is important that you prepare students for the fact that students will not receive grades or diploma in Sweden, regardless of which kind of school and program they attend. They will still be able to receive a report stating what subjects they have studied, but it is not an official transcript.

Fourthly, full-time studies in Sweden require full focus on the Swedish school while the exchange student is on program. Most classes are taught in Swedish and socializing skills are practiced through group work and projects, which also enables exchange students to improve their language skills and broaden their network. We do not recommend exchange students to have school obligated tasks from school in their home country.

There are 18 different programs of study at high school in Sweden, both theoretical and vocational programs. All will give basic qualifications to attend university, but some may also satisfy the additional requirements for certain specific areas of study.

• Economic program

• Natural science program

• Social science program

• Technical program

• Humanistic program

• Esthetic program

Historically, the Swedish team has always tried to focus most high school placements in schools with the above six directions available, but as school spots are becoming increasingly more challenging to secure, even for Swedish students, we also consider placements on vocational programs. We have had positive experience with students placed on the following programs:

• Health and Social Care

• Business and Administration

• Natural Resource Use

• Industrial Technology

• Hotel and Tourism

• Restaurant and Food Industry

Despite the challenge of finding schools, our intention is to always try to match the student with a suitable program, allowing the exchange year to be a culturally positive experience!

Academic Calendar

School runs from August until the middle of June, students will not attend exams and no subjects can be guaranteed.

High School in Italy

About Italy

There is a reason that Italy is known as “il Bel Paese” – “the Beautiful Country” and it’s because it offers all good things in life: stunning mountains, the Dolomites, sunny beaches in Sicily and Sardinia, great food; pizza, ice cream, lasagne, arts; Michelangelo, Leonardo and Giotto. History; the Ancient Romans, the Venetian Republic, the Reign of Naples and of course, nice and welcoming people!

Family is one of the most known national traits: it is an extremely important value within the Italian culture. Italians have frequent family gatherings and enjoy spending time with all the members, especially during holidays and on Sundays.

Of course, food is another important aspect of the Italian culture. The Italian cuisine reflects the great diversity of the country. For example, people from the South use olive oil, while in the North they cook with butter. We eat anything: cheese, vegetables, fish, fruit, pasta and any kind of meat... cows, sheep, chickens, boars, pigs and even donkeys! There is only one golden rule: any ingredient must be genuine.

Main language spoken

Italian is widely spoken all over the Mediterranean Sea: Italy, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Corsica and Malta, and it was rated as one of the most romantic languages of the world! There are a lot of dialects and accents, but the good point is that you can learn any of them and be understood anywhere in Italy. So, don’t be afraid!

No previous knowledge of the Italian language is required, even if we recommend at least 2 years of studies. If the student does not speak any Italian, she/he should be at least fluent in English.

Programs Available

• Classic Exchange – Ages 15–17. All Nationalities

• Select Boarding – Ages 15–17. All Nationalities

• Select Day – Ages 15–17. All Nationalities

Host Family Information

You can be placed anywhere in Italy, with any type of family: from the most traditional family to a more modern one. These families are selected on a volunteer basis, they’re interviewed, checked and prepared to welcome you! Be polite with all the family members: say as many “per favore” and “grazie” as you can. Italian host parents work during weekdays, so the contact with the student will take place when the family members eat dinner all together. During weekends, the family will be able to arrange an activity or day trips to show you a city or a certain area, so that you can enjoy the dolce vita of your region.

Italy Education Pathway

Students who choose to spend some time with us should be aware that this is more of a cultural exchange program, not exclusively an academic one. As all classes are taught in Italian, students with limited or no prior knowledge of the language will have some difficult time in the beginning but they will learn the language along the way though.

High school teaching in Italy is more academic than the one found in the Anglo-Saxon system, it requires note taking during lectures and hours of self-study and daily individual homework.

There are three main types of High School in Italy: Liceo: it is the most academic school. A typical subject not found elsewhere is Latin language and literature. There are different types of Liceo, but the most common one is the Classico (where the main subjects are Greek, Latin and Philosophy), the Linguistico (where three foreign languages are studied) and the Scientifico (with Maths, Physics, Biology, etc). All students attending a Liceo will pick a University or further education paths.

Istituto tecnico: it is attended by those students who aim at learning a job or, in some cases, continuing the related stidues at university, to become, for example, accountants, surveyors or specialised industry workers.

Istituto professionale: like the tecnico, offers the possibility of learning a job but on a more hands on level. This is the right school for those who want to become for example a carpenter, plumber, electrician, etc.

Students are welcome to express their wish about attending a specific school type if they like (for example, a Liceo rather than an Istituto tecnico), but we cannot always guarantee it. All our partner schools are state schools. In the Italian school system, there are mandatory subjects no matter the type of school your student will be placed in. These include for example Italian Language and Literature, English, Maths, History and Physical Education.

Exchange students are required to pay an enrolment fee upon arrival (which may vary between €50–€200, depending on program length and type of school) Host families will show the students how to pay it. The fee covers the cost of consumables, equipment used in lab and sports, etc. etc.

Schools decide the placement grade, which is determined mainly by the age of the student. However, the Headmaster might consider different aspects as well, including the level of Italian language.

Exchange students are responsible for any aspect concerning the validation of the school year spent in Italy: If they require an official school transcript, we must be informed upon enrolment. If your student needs to study specific subjects, these must be confirmed upon enrolment.

Please note that our school system may be very different from yours so not all the subjects can be guaranteed. If you have doubts or questions about this, please contact us before submitting your student’s application.

If the student does not need an official school transcript, a certificate of attendance will be issued. It is not possible to graduate and get an official High School Diploma.

Academic Calendar

The school year in Italy runs between mid-September and early June. It is divided into two terms: September–January and January–June.

There are two main holiday breaks: Christmas (about 2 weeks from Dec. 23rd–Jan 6th) and Easter (about 1 week).

Our mission extends far beyond the classroom

At Educatius, we believe in the transformative power of education, and as an organization, we are dedicated to making a positive and long-lasting impact on the world. We have aligned our sustainability goals with those of the United Nations and are proud to present a wide range of impactful initiatives around the globe. This includes our commitment to providing equal access to education through Aiducatius, fostering resilience among our students, offsetting student’s flights, and strengthening local communities through our Community Impact Fund.

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