Getting Started

Many AFSers are able to get academic credit for the time they spend in school abroad; however, that’s not the case for everyone. Because academic credit is typically a local decision determined by your school district in the U.S., rather than through AFS, the best advice we can give is to begin talking to your school early. Below are some steps to get you started.

Please remember that while AFS supports your efforts, you are entirely responsible for making arrangements to receive academic credit.

  • Meet with your high school counselor and ask whether they will grant you credit for your study abroad. Every school’s policy is different regarding the acceptance of credit for courses taken outside of your state (and country). AFS cannot guarantee that your high school will grant academic credit for the courses you complete while abroad.
  • Create a study plan that outlines which credits must be taken here at home and which credits your high school will accept from abroad. Make sure to go over the plan together with your counselor, and both you and your school should keep a copy. Don’t forget to consider that you could take courses in a different sequence than the typical student and/or you could potentially take online courses before or after your exchange experience. AFS cannot guarantee that you will be provided with any specific courses that your U.S. high school requires. Please plan with your host school accordingly. 
  • Learn more about your Host School. After you’re accepted by AFS and placed with a host family, you’ll be able to learn more about schools in your host country. As your host school depends on where you are placed with a host family, you should be open to various school settings. Once you’re placed, you will be able to learn a bit more about your specific host school.