EXCHANGES

A school exchange program is much more than a trip abroad; it’s a life-changing experience for those who experience it. Our students have the opportunity to experience another country from the inside, living with a local family and attending their school, but the adventure doesn’t end there. Later, they become hosts themselves, opening their homes and daily lives to a foreign student. It’s an experience that involves the entire family, creating bonds that, in many cases, last a lifetime. Beyond improving their language skills, these exchanges teach them to see the world through different eyes, to understand and respect other customs, and to value the richness of diversity.

At Urdaneta, we firmly believe in the value of exchanges as an experience that goes far beyond learning a language. They are transformative experiences that teach our students to navigate a different environment, understand other ways of life, and open themselves to the world with respect and curiosity. With each exchange program, they not only improve their language skills but also develop fundamental social and civic skills. We believe that direct contact with other cultures is the best way to foster tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding. That’s why our exchange program is not limited to language immersion; it seeks to provide our students with experiences that broaden their horizons and help them view the world through a more open and enriching lens.

Furthermore, these exchanges not only benefit our students and their families, but also strengthen the ties between Urdaneta and the schools with which we host them.

Since they began in 2008, our exchange programs have taken our students to various destinations and allowed them to share experiences with schools around the world: Villanova University, Krakow, Chicago, Nottingham, San Diego, and so on.

Currently, we host exchanges annually with the Collège Stella Maris in Anglet (France) and in alternate years with the Augustinian school Austin Friars in Carlisle (United Kingdom). We are also continually seeking new destinations and schools to collaborate with, with the goal of further expanding the learning and growth opportunities for our students.