Senior : International Opps : Student Exchange
Contacts - Student Exchange
Student Exchange - English-speaking schools
This program commenced in 1999 and has grown substantially. Students, typically in Years 9 and 10, have the opportunity to participate in an exchange to an overseas school. Usually, students are away for six to eight weeks during which time they may stay with a host family or board at the host school. The timing of each exchange is tailored to best suit the term calendars of the participating schools and Knox, minimising disruption to study and exams.
Participation of particular schools and the timing of the exchanges may vary from year to year and additional schools in other countries are being added to expand this very popular program. Some schools currently involved include:
| USA |
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Landon School, Maryland
St Albans Cathedral School, Washington DC
Western Reserve Academy, Ohio
Poly Prep School, New York |
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Year 9 Term 4, two places
Year 9 Term 4, two places
Year 10 Term 2, two places
Year 10 Term 4 |
| Canada |
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Collingwood School, Vancouver
St George's School, Vancouver |
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Year 9 Term 4, two places
Year 10 Term 2, two places |
| England |
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The Perse School, Cambridge |
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Year 9 Term 4, three places |
| Scotland |
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Stewart's Melville College, Edinburgh |
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Year 9 Term 2 |
| New Zealand |
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Kings College, Auckland
Christ's College, Christchurch |
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Year 9 Term 2
Year 9 Term 2 |
| Argentina |
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St Phillip's The Apostle Bilingual School, Buenos Aires |
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Year 9, Term 4, two places |
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In exchange, boys from these Schools come to Knox, further enriching our international experience. The Knoxonian publishes notices calling for applications. Students are required to lodge a letter of application, together with an accompanying CV, to John Starreveld, Master in Charge (MIC), by the nominated date. Applications are assessed and a panel, including the MIC the relevant Year Master and Deputy Year Master, interviews the boys. Please bear in mind APAs (Application Point Averages) are an important factor in the selection criteria. More information can be obtained by talking with the previous year's cohort of exchange students.
Once offered a position, students sign a participation agreement outlining expectations of their behaviour while away. Parents liaise with the host family or school and make mutually agreeable arrangements with regard to timing, subject to approval by Knox. There is a degree of flexibility with regard to time away from School and the sitting of exams, to give the boys every chance to make the most of the opportunity.
The aim of the program is for the Knox student and his host to spend the time away with each other's family, unless boarding. Sometimes circumstances prevent the reciprocal visit and in such situations, every effort is made to find an acceptable alternative.
The exchange student's family is responsible for the cost of travel to the host school and spending money for their son while he is away. The boy's family also undertakes to host the return visit to Knox from the boy with whom their son stayed. School fees for both tuition and, if relevant, boarding, are covered by the host school and reciprocated by Knox for the students who visit us. Sometimes, additional co-curricular costs (e.g. School camp, excursions etc.) arise. Travel insurance, including good cover for medical expenses, is highly advisable.
Typically, students wear their own School's uniform when on exchange, to minimise expenses and to make them identifiable to the host school community. Parents are encouraged to think of ways their sons can assist with meeting the costs of the exchange as it adds to the commitment felt by the boys.
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