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The who, what, how and where of International Exchange

Frequent Questions from Individuals

1. What is an exchange?  Does that mean that another person from another country will be switching with me?
2. What types of exchanges are there?
3. What is the typical length of an exchange program?
4. If I'm interested in participating on an exchange, when should I begin applying?
5. How do I find an exchange program?
6. What are the age limits for exchange programs?
7. What are my legal rights as far as participating on an exchange?
8. Am I protected as a person with a disability if I come to the United States on an exchange even though I'm a foreign citizen?
9. Do you know of other people who are (blind, Deaf, use a service animal, use a personal assistant, have a chronic disease, use sign language interpreters, use a motorized wheelchair, are quadraplegic, etc.) that have been on an exchange?
10. I'm from the United States and I've never traveled internationally before, so how do I get a passport?

Questions and Answers

What is an exchange?  Does that mean that another person from another country will be switching with me? In relation to overseas programs, the term "exchange" was originally used to mean that an individual or group from the U.S. traveled overseas and an individual or group from that country came to the United States for a designated purpose such as study or professional development. However, today, the term "exchange" is often used to mean an educational, volunteer, professional or cultural program in which people participate and exchange ideas. Exchange does not refer to leisure travel.

What types of exchanges are there?  People can partake in many different types of programs.  There are volunteer programs, educational and language programs, internships, cultural homestays, and professional development programs.  These type of exchange programs are listed in our database. The organizations listed operate independently of Mobility International USA and their admissions and planning process is conducted without our involvement. Only a few exchange organizations have an official link to us through our advisory group, the Roundtable Consortium. This means that these members attend meetings twice a year and discuss the inclusion of people with disabilities in their programs and the training of staff on international accessibility issues.

What is the typical length of an exchange program?  Program lengths vary.  Study abroad and internship programs are often offered on a semester, year or summer basis.  Volunteer and professional programs can last anywhere from one week to two years. 

If I'm interested in participating on an exchange, when should I begin applying?  The sooner, the better.  Many programs often want participants to begin the application process at least a year ahead.  There are a few programs (i.e. language immersion programs, cultural tours) that can accommodate some last-minute applicants.

How do I find an exchange program?  The first place to begin your search is to visit your high school guidance counselor or college/university study abroad office if you are a student.  If you are a student from overseas, contact the nearest U.S. embassy. For individuals who are not in school or to search for other exchange programs, visit our Search for Exchange Programs database that can be accessed on the left panel of our homepage. Simply select the country of choice from our list of countries or leave it blank if you are not sure.  The selection of a keyword will narrow the search for organizations dependent on the type of exchange program.  Neither keyword nor country need to be selected in order to bring up a list of exchange organizations. Contact the organization directly if you are interested in applying.

What are the age limits for exchange programs?  Exchange programs offer opportunities to individuals of all ages for regions around the world.  However, some programs do have age limits. For individuals under 18, there may be a requirement that the individual be accompanied by an adult unless it is a high school exchange program. High school exchange programs often require that the student be 18.5 years of age or younger to participate. Also, fellowship programs for professional or teaching exchanges may limit participants to those under 40 years of age.  Read age eligibility requirements before applying to a program or ask our staff for assistance.

What are my legal rights as far as participating on an exchange? If the organization that has the exchange program is receiving U.S. federal funding, then you have the same right as any qualified applicant to partake in the exchange. Our free-to-download publication, Rights and Responsibilities will give you some insight into case-by-case studies, the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and information about laws for people with disabilities in other countries.  You can also contact the Disability, Rights, Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) at (510) 644-2555.

Am I protected as a person with a disability if I come to the United States on an exchange even though I'm a foreign citizen? If you come to the United States on an exchange, you are covered under our Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students coming to the United States can contact the Disabilities Service office at universities or the Special Education Department at high schools to discuss accommodation issues with the school and study abroad coordinator. Our free-to-download publication, Rights and Responsibilities and will give you some insight into case-by-case studies, the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and information about laws pertaining to people with disabilities in countries outside the U.S. You can also read the article written by the Disability, Rights, Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) for more information regarding high school.

Do you know of other people who are (blind, Deaf, use a service animal, use a personal assistant, have a chronic disease, use sign language interpreters, use a motorized wheelchair, are quadraplegic, etc.) that have been on an exchange? Yes, we do.  We have published some of their stories in our on-line A World Awaits You Journal and on our webpage of success stories. We have established a peer network so that you can talk to them about their experiences.

I'm from the United States and I've never traveled internationally before, so how do I get a passport?

Apply as soon as possible! The process can take several months and you will not be able to travel without your passport. Ask at your local U.S. Post Offices if they process passport applications. If the post office in your area does not process passports, try state or county municipal offices, the public library in your town, or public colleges or universities. You can also search by state and zip code for passport acceptance facilities nationwide. Application forms may be obtained from the Internet, some travel agents in your city, Regional Passport Agencies, or by calling the National Passport Information Center. Telephone Number: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793. When you apply bring with you what the application requires. It costs about US$85 but can cost more if it is needed quickly. For more information you can also try these helpful websites:

• Passports: Applying for Your U.S. Passport the Easy Way
  Us Department of State: Passport Information and Services
• Gateway Travel: Passport and Visa Information
  
  Independent Traveler
  

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