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STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM
About the Program
Our student exchange program has received approval from the Thai Ministry of Education and is recognized for building character, broadening horizons, and improving learning for youth. This program results from EduDee’s official collaboration with not-for-profit educational organizations overseas that are dedicated to promoting cultural exchange that involves residing with native English speakers. EduDee’s international cultural exchange program is open to all Thai students throughout Thailand. Interested students must be full-time secondary students or equivalent, who are currently studying in school. Students selected for the exchange program will receive a partial or full scholarship of the tuition fee for one academic year in an educational institute/high school or secondary school alongside local students. Students will reside with a quality-selected native-speaking host family of the country. Students will have the opportunity to improve their language skills by interacting with the local people, to develop themselves, and to live with others to attain a greater global perspective. Students will learn from the viewpoints of others as they live with a carefully selected host family based on the law. They will also be cared for by the exchange foundation under the supervision of the host country’s government.
- This program is supported by the Ministry of Education of Thailand.
- The host country offers the scholarship to each student only once. A student may not apply for the same type of scholarship in subsequent academic years.
- This is an opportunity to study abroad for one academic school year.
- The program will be under the care of the government and the exchange/ educational organizations of the destination country.
- Representatives from the local exchange/educational organizations will carefully select a host family, public educational institution and the town/state for each student so that his/her needs are met.
- Students will learn about culture, how to adapt, and how to live with foreigners of different backgrounds and experiences. They will have the chance to practice English with native speakers.
- Students will live with selected qualified host families interested in cultural exchange.
- Upon completing the exchange program, students will be able to return to their original schools in Thailand in accordance with the policies set by the Thai Ministry of Education.
Why Choose EduDee/EduX
Official Recognition: EduDee/EduX is one of the few programs in Thailand officially recognized by the U.S. Embassy as an expert in managing student exchange programs (J-1 Visa: Exchange Visa) for high school students.
Support from U.S. Non-Profit Organizations: EduDee/EduX is supported by U.S.-based non-profit organizations under the supervision of the U.S. Department of State, ensuring proper management of High School Exchange Programs. The program is also accredited by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET).
Extensive Experience: EduDee/EduX has over 20 years of experience operating exchange programs, with staff who have direct experience studying abroad and participating in international exchange programs.
Limited Enrollment Policy: The program carefully selects a limited number of students to maintain high-quality supervision and support throughout the program.
Pre-Departure Preparation: EduDee/EduX organizes academic and cultural preparation activities before departure, including:
Online English prep courses (listening, speaking, reading, writing)
Guidance on adapting to new environments
Program rules and regulations
Positive thinking and mindset development
Sharing experiences and advice from program alumni
Local and International Support Staff: EduDee/EduX provides local coordinators in the host country to supervise and assist students, as well as regular evaluation reports to monitor student progress while abroad.
Benefits
According to CSIET, exchange students not only have the opportunity of learning about new cultures, but also return to their home countries more emotionally and morally mature, and prepared to move forward in the 21st century.Destination country teachers find that foreign exchange students make overall studies more appealing as they bring a different perspective to the classroom that adds to the atmosphere of learning and the quality of discussion and interaction that takes place between students and teachers. During their academic year abroad, foreign exchange students gain valuable opportunities to grow, sharpen their critical thinking skills and improve on their
- Effective communication skills
- Problem solving abilities
- Open-mindedness thus allowing them to see the world around them from a wider perspective realising the diversity of lifestyles, thought processes and cultures
- Self-understanding and self discovery
- Ability to work well and get along with others
- Analytical thinking skills
*CSIET Board of Directors, July 2011
Student Qualifications
- 15-18 years old on the day of departure.
- Currently a student in Grade 9 to 11 or the equivalent.
- Average GPA of 2.5 for the last two academic years. (Students with any score/grade/comment similar to 0 (F), 1 (D), NC, W/F, or INC will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
- Passing marks for both the exchange program’s written test and interview.
- Good physical and emotional health, ability to cope with high pressure and no health conditions that may serve as an obstacle in the program.
- No record of having ever been an exchange student in the country of destination.
- For the US scholarship quota, students who have already been granted a J-1 or F-1 visa cannot participate the program.
- Students who hold a USA passport can participate in the program. Slots for such students are limited.
How to Apply for Testing
Bangkok Testing Center
- Apply online at www.edudee.co.th
- Download the payment form to submit the 250 baht testing fee at any Bangkok Bank branch.
- Receive an email sent by EduDee to the email address you indicate in your application with the testing site, date and time.
- Take your own stationery along with your identification or student card with you to the testing site and be sure to wear your school uniform.
Regional Testing Centers
- Check for the testing centers in other provinces.
- Apply for testing with the coordination lecturer for each center or download the application form, fill it in and submit it to the coordinating lecturer at the center where you will sit for the testing.
- Receive date, time and location for the testing form the coordinating lecturer.
- View test results approximately two weeks after your test.
- Interview with EduDee on a date and time determined by EduDee after successfully passing the written test. Results will be given immediately after the interview.
*Test fees are 250 Baht and are non-refundable.
Program Fees
Students selected to take part in the exchange program will be exempt from tuition fees in part or in whole.
The program participant will be responsible for other fees including the travel expense to the host country with these additional fees payable to the host country’s exchange foundation/ educational organization abroad.
Program fees are to be paid in Thai Baht using Bangkok Bank’s exchange rate, specifically the bank-note selling rate for USD1-2 as at 8:30 A.M. on the pay date.
Countries | Duration / Departure | Program Participation Fee (7 months payment plan) |
Northern America | ||
America (J-1) | 10 Months / August | 510,000 Baht |
America (F-1) Basic | 10 Months / August | 810,000 Baht |
Canada | 10 Months / September | 700,000 Baht |
Oceania Countries | ||
New Zealand (Classic) | 10 Months / July | 665,000 Baht |
Australia | 10 Months / July | 700,000 Baht |
Central Europe | ||
Germany | 10 Months / August | 525,000 Baht |
France | 10 Months / August | 483,000 Baht |
Austria | 10 Months / September | 665,000 Baht |
Nordic countries | ||
Sweden | 10 Months / August | 665,000 Baht |
Finland | 10 Months / August | 665,000 Baht |
Denmark | 10 Months / August | 665,000 Baht |
Norway | 10 Months / August | 665,000 Baht |
Terms and Conditions
The program fee listed above does not include the registration fee.
The program fee can be paid in 7 installments/months.
The duration and travel dates are approximate.
Exchange student program fees may be subject to change; the program fee does not include VAT.
Additional Fees Not Included in the Program Fees
Registration Fee:
For students from MOU partner schools: 15,000 THB
For Non-MOU schools: 20,000 THB
(See the list of MOU partner schools under “Partner Schools with MOU.”)
Airfare and Travel-Related Fees:
Includes airplane tickets, airport taxes, baggage fees, airline penalties, and other travel-related charges.
The program reserves the right to coordinate and arrange flights for all exchange students to ensure safe and organized travel.
Parents should note that airfare prices may change if payment is not made within the specified timeframe, and all other conditions are subject to airline policies.
Visa Fees:
Includes visa application fees and any related charges, such as document translation for visa submission.
Personal Expenses and Optional Activities:
Expenses outside of tuition and mandatory program fees, including:
Optional excursions or educational trips organized by the exchange or educational organizations abroad
Mobile SIM cards and communication costs
Miscellaneous personal expenses not included in tuition
Transportation to and from school
On-campus or off-campus activities
Laboratory fees, document fees, textbooks
Lunch, examination registration fees
Domestic and international travel during the study period
These costs are optional or variable depending on the student’s participation and personal choices.
What is Included in the Program Participation Fee
One Academic Year Abroad: Tuition and program fee for studying overseas for one academic year.
Pre-Enrollment Parent & Student Meeting: Informational session before registration.
Close Coordination and Counseling: Guidance and support throughout the program.
Experienced Support Team: Supervision by staff with extensive experience living abroad.
Pre-Departure Preparation Program:
Online English Prep Course: English grammar and writing skills development for all students.
Preparation Camp & Workshops: Interactive learning through group discussions, role play, seminars, case studies, and games.
Visa Assistance & Travel Coordination: Help with visa processing, flight arrangements, and other necessary travel coordination.
Pre-Departure Orientation: Orientation for students and parents before leaving.
Student Handbook: Essential information for students and parents prior to departure.
EduDee Program T-Shirt: Provided before departure.
Health and Accident Insurance: Coverage during the program.
Airport Pickup: Arrangements for student reception upon arrival abroad.
Host Family Accommodation: Placement with carefully selected host families through the exchange organization/foundation.
24/7 Support: Continuous assistance during the student’s participation abroad.
Assistance with Leave of Absence & Post-Program Guidance: Coordination and guidance after program completion.
Certificate of Completion: Awarded upon successful completion of the program.
Studying Abroad
Students will be placed in secondary (high school) mainstream classrooms along with native speaking classmates. Students are usually placed in a grade level above what each student has completed in Thailand; however, it is within the designated school’s rights to place a student in a grade level that the school deems fit. Students will be expected to enroll in all core courses including science, math,English, social studies, and physical education. Student placement while in the foreign exchange program will not affect a student’s resumption of studies at his/her school in Thailand as determined by the Thai Ministry of Education (in accordance with the policy and guidelines of study level equivalency for foreign exchange students).
Announcement from the Thai Ministry of Education
The Thai Ministry of Education permits students to participate in foreign exchange programs without being considered as missing instructional time from their home school in Thailand. Students will be allowed to return to their home school and will be promoted to the next grade level. Grades received and credits accumulated abroad will count towards the student’s graduation requirements in Thailand. These credits need not, however, be counted towards the student’s overall GPA in Thailand. Schools in Thailand may prefer to administer a final exam for students before they depart for their year abroad.
For more details, please check with the Thai Bureau of Education Testing.
Pre-Registration
- Download the test application form from our website.
- Pay the test fee.
- You will be contacted by our organization about the test date and location.
- Take the written test in English.
- Take the attitude test.
- Sit for the interview.
- Receive notification of test results.
- Attend parent-student orientation to receive additional information about the exchange program.
- Register for the program
Post Registration
- Prepare documents needed for the “Student Application”
- Prepare a VDO presentation of yourself to send abroad.
- Practice your English language skills regularly and coordinate with your home school to gather necessary documents.
- Send documentation abroad.
- Wait for confirmation that a host family has been selected.
- Wait for documentation needed to apply for a visa.
- Participate in the preparation camp.
- Attend the parent-student orientation meeting before departure.
- Travel abroad.
- Return as a foreign exchange alumni and attend post orientation.
- Receive advice about how to move forward in your studies.
Comparison of Payment
According to Kasikorn Bank’s “K-Expert Bulletin” Edition 16, Studying abroad is a rather expensive investment. The cost of overseas studies includes not only high tuition fees but also living expenses. Thus the total average cost of studying aborad is 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 Baht per year. For students taking part in the foreign exchange program, school tuition fees will be exempt for one academic school year and students will reside with a volunteer host family. This will help reduce the overall cost for studying aborad by almost half the amount mentioned above. Furthermore, the Thai Ministry of Edcation guarantees the equivalence of grade level, allowing students to advance to the next grade when returning to their home school in Thailand. This entitlement can only be used once by each student.