Studying abroad in high school is an experience like no other. It is a journey full of ups and downs, a few (sometimes embarrassing) mistakes, and exploration of a culture completely different from your own. I started my study abroad program in Jujuy, Argentina one month ago and will continue to live here until July. I am writing for The Messenger from my host home to share my story. 

While there are many exchange students at Garfield, the school does not actually have any direct affiliations with exchange programs. This can make it difficult to find a program that suits you best, but it is still possible. Another challenge is transferring credits. When studying abroad, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll get credit for your classes. This is something you will need to talk to your counselor about. If you are lacking credits to graduate one option is to enroll in Running Start. This is what I chose to do when I was a sophomore because I knew I wanted to study abroad in my junior year. I chose to go for one semester in my junior year because I did not want to miss any part of my senior year, but many  people go for one year as well.

The exchange program I decided on is American Field Service (AFS) Intercultural Programs. AFS sends students from the U.S. and other countries to places all over the world, and works with individual nonprofit organizations in over 50 countries. My experience with AFS has been very positive so far. The program ensures that you have multiple people you can contact in case of emergency. You also have a personal contact person who checks in on you every week, makes sure you are prepared for school, and helps you be as comfortable as possible in your new home.. 

I was very nervous about starting school during my experience abroad. High school is already a formative time in life and going to a country where you don’t know anyone can make it much more difficult. However, it has been very rewarding. 

When I first decided to study abroad, many people asked why I didn’t wait until college. I always wanted to travel, and I didn’t see a reason to wait. If you feel similarly and want to explore cultures different from yours I would definitely recommend studying abroad.