Reciprocal Program
Double the BFF time with a two-way exchange
Your incroyable reciprocal French experience
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Want an immersive two-way exchange experience and double the BFF time?
Our reciprocal program means you get to experience life as a French teenager (like dipping your tartine de beurre and learning what “c’est dar ou posey” means).
Then, you get the opportunity to show your French correspondent what life is like in Australia (like teaching them about snags and galahs, and being there when they eat their first Golden Gaytime).
HOW IT WORKS
Every student who signs up for an exchange gets a French correspondent: a student of a similar age, who’ll attend the same school and hopefully be your BFF while you’re in France, while they’re in Australia and, fingers crossed, forever.
It’s our goal to find the perfect French correspondent for you. That’s why when you apply, we try to get to know a little bit about who you are, what you like and the kind of experience you’re hoping to have.
You’ll travel to France and stay with your host family for six or 12 weeks. It’s reciprocal because your French correspondent will come and stay with you and your family in Australia for six or 12 weeks.
If you choose our 12 week program, you may even have two correspondents who come and stay with you (don’t worry, not at the same time). They may come one after the other, or one could come before you go to France, the other when you’re home.
Depending on the dates of your program and your year level at school, you can host first and travel later, or travel to France first and host later.
This program allows you and your correspondent to truly share your lives with one another, helping to create lifelong meilleurs amis.
This program is for you if:
- You’d like to go to France and host a French correspondent
- You’re ready to meet your new French best friend
- You’re able to host and welcome a French student in your family for six to 12 weeks
- Your family is able to offer your French correspondent their own bedroom
- Your school is able to host a French student (we’ll give you all the information they need)
See what students had to say about their reciprocal exchange experience.
BEFORE YOU GO
Program requirements
You must be an Australian high school student in years 9 to 11 (between the ages of 14 and 17 when the program commences).
Program length & dates
Groups will depart Melbourne on 8th December 2023 and return on 21st January 2024
Travel insurance
Is to be organised directly by our affiliated travel agency, i do travel (office@idotravel.com.au). i do travel will be in touch with registered AFX students to organise insurance and flights.
Individual Travel
You can travel as a group or you can travel independently.
If you choose to travel independently, you can book your own air fare but you have to stick to the group dates and we ask you to arrive and depart France on a Saturday. You will have a AFX team member welcoming you in Paris and helping you with internal travel (if applicable).
If you choose to travel independently, you can book your own air fare but you have to stick to the group dates and we ask you to arrive and depart France on a Saturday. You will have a AFX team member welcoming you in Paris and helping you with internal travel (if applicable).
Program location
We have placements available in cities, small towns and even some rural areas. With every exchange, our focus is on finding you the perfect correspondent and host family. We also have to match your preferred dates with the school’s availability. This means we can’t always place you exactly where you want to go. However, if you’d prefer the mountains to the sea or the country to the city, let us know and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Visas requirements
We aren’t qualified to offer visa advice or to process your visa application. However, generally,
Australian citizens (under 18) don’t need visas when going to France for less than 90 days.
If you’re unsure about whether you need a visa or are interested in a program longer than 90
days, please refer to the French consulate for information.
We recommend starting your visa applications six months before the start of your exchange.
Please note that in some cases, applicants may need to attend the French consulate in Sydney
for an interview.
COVID
Although AFX will make every effort to ensure students undertake their exchange program, participation remains subject to COVID-19 regulations. In the event that COVID-19 prevents or impacts your program, AFX will offer partial refunds to some participants. For more information on this policy, please read our detailed terms & conditions.
BEFORE YOU GO
Program requirements
You must be an Australian high school student in years 9 to 11 (between the ages of 14 and 17 when the program commences).
Program length & dates
This program offers you full flexibility of dates and durations during the French school year
(September to June). We offer programs with the group and individual travel options.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is included in our program costs.
Individual Travel
You can travel as a group or you can travel independently.
If you choose to travel independently, you can book your own air fare but you have to stick to the group dates and we ask you to arrive and depart France on a Saturday. You will have a AFX team member welcoming you in Paris and helping you with internal travel (if applicable).
If you choose to travel independently, you can book your own air fare but you have to stick to the group dates and we ask you to arrive and depart France on a Saturday. You will have a AFX team member welcoming you in Paris and helping you with internal travel (if applicable).
Program location
We have placements available in cities, small towns and even some rural areas. With every exchange, our focus is on finding you the perfect correspondent and host family. We also have to match your preferred dates with the school’s availability. This means we can’t always place you exactly where you want to go. However, if you’d prefer the mountains to the sea or the country to the city, let us know and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Visas requirements
We aren’t qualified to offer visa advice or to process your visa application. However, generally,
Australian citizens (under 18) don’t need visas when going to France for less than 90 days.
If you’re unsure about whether you need a visa or are interested in a program longer than 90
days, please refer to the French consulate for information.
We recommend starting your visa applications six months before the start of your exchange.
Please note that in some cases, applicants may need to attend the French consulate in Sydney
for an interview.
COVID
Although AFX will make every effort to ensure students undertake their exchange program, participation remains subject to COVID-19 regulations. In the event that COVID-19 prevents or impacts your program, AFX will offer partial refunds to some participants. For more information on this policy, please read our detailed terms & conditions.
How we choose your correspondent & host family
We know from experience that students who have good connections with their French
correspondent will talk more, become more immersed in school and family life, will see
greater improvements in their language skills and will sometimes even make friends for life.
That’s why we treat every student that applies to our programs as an individual with their
own distinct personality and passions, and then carefully match them with the perfect
French correspondent.
It’s also imperative to us that the family structure offered by French host family feels safe
and supportive and that students have their own bedroom.
We also require all adult members of the host family to provide a police check, and complete a face-to-face interview. We also conduct a visit to the host family’s home. You can read more about our child safety policy here.
Are you a vegetarian who’s allergic to cats? Don’t worry, diet, allergy and other health related concerns will also be taken into consideration. Just let us know your specific
requirements and we’ll find a way to make it work.
As part of the reciprocal program, we also guarantee your host family will take you to Paris
(unless that’s where you’ll be living, of course) so you can experience the incredible museums,
restaurants and beauty of the French capital.
Getting to France
Students can either travel independently or as part of a group.Those travelling as part of a group are escorted by an AFX Student Exchange staff member or
representative. Upon arrival in Paris, students are greeted at the airport by a member of our
French team and any host families located close to Paris.
For students hosted by families in regional France, we’ll help with transfers once you reach
Paris. One of our representatives will also be present at the airport upon departure.
We can organise chaperones from other departure cities (Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide) but
these are subject to group numbers
If needed, you can also choose to travel to France with the group and return on a different date.
If you’d like to travel in Europe or visit family at the end of your program, then individual travel is
a great option for you.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE
24/7 support
While students are in France, we are available via our 24/7 hotline. We also make regular contact with students in case they need support or have any questions.
Cultural immersion
While in France, you’ll live with your French correspondent and their family and be immersed in another culture. Obvious things like language, money and food will be different, but there will be some other cultural differences that may surprise you. Once you’ve been accepted into the program, we’ll help you prepare so you’re ready to make the most of your time in France.
School in France
You’ll always attend the same school as your French correspondent student. It’s the perfect way to make friends quickly and get properly immersed in your school. Most French students attend school five days a week, usually from about 8am until 5 or 6pm. When you’re attending school in another country, there will, of course, be differences in how things are done, how teachers teach, when you have lunch (v important) and more. We’re here to help you prepare so there are no surprises.
Subjects and timetables
Whether you’re a book worm or a mathlete, we always try our hardest to accommodate your passions and interests, but your timetable and subjects will depend on what the school has on offer, the classes your correspondent takes and how busy classes are at your host school. The longer your exchange program, the more flexibility you’ll get with subject and timetable
choices. Many schools also offer French as a foreign language (FLE) lessons. We’ll always let you know if these classes are available so don’t worry about missing out.
School holidays
Depending on the dates of your program, you may also have some school holidays while you’re in France. If you choose to take part in our summer program, the holidays tend to be from late December until the second week of January. These holidays offer an incredible opportunity for you to visit other parts of France and maybe even experience a white Christmas with your host family.
Sports and extra-curricular activities
Are you a budding oboist or the next René Lacoste? A French exchange program doesn’t mean you need to give up or fall behind on your extra-curriculars. When we look for your perfect host family and school, we always take your passions for sport, drama and music into consideration.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE
24/7 support
While students are in France, we are available via our 24/7 hotline. We also make regular contact with students in case they need support or have any questions.
Cultural immersion
While in France, you’ll live with your French correspondent and their family and be immersed in another culture. Obvious things like language, money and food will be different, but there will be some other cultural differences that may surprise you. Once you’ve been accepted into the program, we’ll help you prepare so you’re ready to make the most of your time in France.
School in France
You’ll always attend the same school as your French correspondent student. It’s the perfect way to make friends quickly and get properly immersed in your school. Most French students attend school five days a week, usually from about 8am until 5 or 6pm. When you’re attending school in another country, there will, of course, be differences in how things are done, how teachers teach, when you have lunch (v important) and more. We’re here to help you prepare so there are no surprises.
Subjects and timetables
Whether you’re a book worm or a mathlete, we always try our hardest to accommodate your passions and interests, but your timetable and subjects will depend on what the school has on offer, the classes your correspondent takes and how busy classes are at your host school. The longer your exchange program, the more flexibility you’ll get with subject and timetable
choices. Many schools also offer French as a foreign language (FLE) lessons. We’ll always let you know if these classes are available so don’t worry about missing out.
School holidays
Depending on the dates of your program, you may also have some school holidays while you’re in France. If you choose to take part in our summer program, the holidays tend to be from late December until the second week of January. These holidays offer an incredible opportunity for you to visit other parts of France and maybe even experience a white Christmas with your host family.
Sports and extra-curricular activities
Are you a budding oboist or the next René Lacoste? A French exchange program doesn’t mean you need to give up or fall behind on your extra-curriculars. When we look for your perfect host family and school, we always take your passions for sport, drama and music into consideration.
What makes our program stand out
Exclusively French
Our depth of knowledge and experience, as well as being French, means that we offer exquisite immersive cultural and linguistic experiences to France.
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INDIVIDUALISED
We treat every student as an individual with their own distinct personality and passions, and then carefully match them with the perfect French correspondent.
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GET OUR PRICES
Our starting price for a six-week program in France is $3550 and offers many inclusions as a part of the program. Our prices vary depending on the program you want to participate in and the duration of your stay in France.
get our prices
SAFE
We’re the only Australian student exchange organisation sending students exclusively to France that meets the strict safety standards needed for government accreditations.
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TESTIMONIALS
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Extras
Like us, Alliance Française are committed to providing experiences to Australian students to improve both their French language skills and appreciation of French culture.
We have an exclusive partnership with the Alliance Française in most Australian capital cities.
As part of our partnership, we run special deals and events for our participating students.
Visit our partnerships page to find out more.
Learn More
Visit our partnerships page to find out more.
NEWS
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Prices
Our starting price for a six-week program in France is $3550 and offers many inclusions as a part of the program. Our prices vary depending on the program you want to participate in and the duration of your stay in France.
Learn More
