International exchanges
An exchange is a visit by a group of our students to a partner school and a return visit by its students to us, with stays in families and joint activities.
What the exchange looks like
We run the exchange with a school in Bavaria, Germany, for students in Grades 7–8 who learn German. In one school year our group travels to our partners, and in the next we host their group here.
The visit lasts a week. Students attend lessons at the host school, take part in joint workshops and get to know the area. They spend afternoons and the weekend with their host family.
Group trips under the Erasmus+ programme have separate selection and funding rules. They are described on the programme page.
The exchange in numbers
Who can take part
The exchange is open to students in Grades 7–8 who learn German. We accept applications in September, and if there are more applicants than places, the decision is based on an interview with the coordinator and the form teacher's opinion.
To take part, your family needs to be ready to host a guest at home. If your family cannot do this, please talk to the coordinator – we can usually find another solution.
How we prepare the exchange
Application and preliminary consent
The student applies to the coordinator, and the parents sign a preliminary consent to take part and to host a guest.
Meeting with parents
We present the programme, the travel plan, the rules for staying with families and the costs. Parents receive the group leaders' contact details.
Matching partners
The coordinators of both schools pair students by age, interests and information from families.
Consents and documents
Parents sign consent for the trip, a health information form about their child and consent to the use of their child's image.
Preparing the students
In German lessons the students practise everyday conversations and prepare a presentation about the school.
Staying with host families
The guest stays with the family of their exchange partner. The family provides accommodation, breakfast and dinner, and looks after them after classes. During school activities the students are looked after by teachers.
- the guest has their own bed and shares a room at most with their exchange partner of the same sex;
- the family is told in advance about the guest's diet, allergies and health;
- in the evening the guest does not go out alone without an adult from the host family;
- the family has the phone numbers of the group leaders from both schools, available 24 hours a day.
Costs
Parents cover the cost of travel and their child's insurance. We give the amount at the meeting before enrolment, and we try to reduce it with support from the Parents' Council and youth exchange funding.
Nobody pays for staying with a host family. During the return visit, we provide our guests with accommodation and meals. If you have financial difficulties, please talk to the school counsellor – a child's participation must not depend on the family's means.
Parents' questions about exchanges
What if my child does not feel comfortable with the host family?
The student tells the group leader, who works with the partner school's coordinator to find a solution. If needed, we change the host family the same day.
Does the host family need to speak German?
No. All you need is a friendly attitude and some basic English, or your child's help. The guests learn Polish words, and we give families a short phrasebook.
What consent forms do parents sign?
Consent for travel abroad, a health information form about your child, consent to host a guest and consent to the use of your child's image. You will receive all the templates at the meeting before the trip.
How can I contact my child during the trip?
Students have their phones and can call home after activities. The group leaders send parents a short daily update on how the day went.
I was worried whether we would manage with the language. After a week our guest cried when saying goodbye, and the girls still write to each other.
Ewelina Sobolewska, German teacher – exchange coordinator
We reply on working days, within three days.