EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES
Especial for private and independent schools
This exchange is a “Sister Schools” programme between British and Spanish schools for students of years 8-12
The Spanish students will stay with families for 5 weeks to 3 month, from September to December, attending lessons in local high schools and taking part in the daily life of the region.
After that, the Spanish family will host the British student for a period of 6 weeks from February to May, making them feel at home.
Lessons, sports, nature, excursions, family activities… an endless amount of unforgettable experiences await the participants.
The program has been created taking into account any concerns that the parents may have about sending their teenage child abroad, and also the shock that the students may face when leaving their country for the first time. The students will enjoy a safe and fun environment to learn the language and experience cultural differences.
Safety is paramount for us. We also have a team of coordinators in place to help with the transition to the Mediterranean lifestyle and a support system should the students need it. We understand culture shock, and having received the student in their home, our Britons often feel like they already know their Spanish family. This is one of many reasons for why the Spaniards travel to UK first. Please note that all students are registered with the embasy before travelling to Spain.
The programme can be taylor made to the British school’s needs as we have agreements with different schools in all towns in Spain. All the schools offered are located in secure areas, where the student will find it easy to move around.
Some of the towns include Teruel, Zaragoza or Castellón.
City of Teruel:
Teruel is a small Spanish city with a population of almost 36.000, situated in the south of Aragon. It is known for its Moor art and architecture heritage, part of which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Teruel is also recognized for its unusual Spanish climate, characterized by cold winters and dry, hot summers.
Among the many tourist attractions you may find the buildings covered in Moor design, the Mausoleum of the Two Lovers of Teruel, the Torico Square, and the paleontological museum, Dinópolis. The most prominent monuments are the Santa Maria Church (a Cathedral of the Diocese of Teruel), as well as the El Salvador, San Martin and San Pedro towers. At the base of the San Pedro tower you will find the church, from which it received its name.
As far as festivals are concerned, Teruel hosts a weekend medieval festival in February to commemorate the history of the Two Lovers of Teruel. Additionally, it celebrates Holy Week (Easter at the end of March, beginning of April) and the Angel festivals or the infamous, running of the bulls in July.
City of Zaragoza:
Zaragoza is the capital of the autonomous community (province, essentially) of Aragon. With a population of around 700,000, it is the fifth largest city in the country. It is home to magnificent historical buildings like the Basilica del Pilar, La Seo Cathedral and the Aljaferia Palace, which along with other buildings in the community form part of the Moor Architecture of Aragon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
City of Castellón:
Castellón de la Plana, with a population of around 170.000, is the capital city of the province of Castellón, the northernmost and least populous of the three provinces of Valencia. While some of the oldest ruins in Castellon date back to the Moors in the tenth or eleventh century, the area has been inhabited for millennia. The founding of the city itself came after James I of Aragon reconquered the area in the 1200s. Shortly thereafter, the town was moved – upon royal command – to the plain below the hill upon which the first ruins still stand.
Throughout the modern city one can find other historical relics: a remaining wall from the first Carlist War in 1837; a 17th century textile market; the Fadri Tower, the construction of which began in 1440; and many more. Further attractions include the central market, various museums of art, history, and science, and spacious parks full of trees, fountains, ponds, statues, and memorials to musicians, artists, and soldiers.
The economy of the modern city (and province, also called Castellón) rests on tourism, some crafts (ceramics, tiles and textiles) and some industries. Historically the area has been known for citrus fruits (Valencian oranges, etc.), and orange trees still line some streets.
An interesting point to note is that in Castellon you will hear both Castellano and Valenciano, the original Spanish language and one of its sister languages. Students will learn Castellano in their SSL classes, but are welcome to learn Valenciano at the school.
Our program strives to be as inclusive as possible. That said, the process of going abroad, having to start (or continue) learning a foreign language in an immersion environment, and maintaining studies all at once is demanding. For this reason, we require:
B- Overall average from the previous year of study (75%)*. Beyond this, a one-on-one interview will be conducted before program eligibility is determined. In some cases, letters of recommendation from teachers and principals may be required.
Students who are entering (the year of the exchange) years 8-12** are eligible.
Program eligibility will only be finalized once all of phase 1 and phase 2 have been completed on the online platform.
*If a student has an average grade below 75%, we require the approval of their school’s principal, along with three teacher references saying why the student is a good candidate for the exchange. For further inquiries, contact your district agent / Head Office.
**Students entering year 12 must provide a letter of reference from the guidance counsellor as well as from their parents confirming that they understand the implications.
Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world after Mandarin, and the second most used language in international communication. By learning Spanish, the student will be able to communicate with over 500 million people all over the world.
Due to the growing importance of Spanish, Ken’s is offering a complete Spanish program aimed at young people aged 13 to 18 which is defined by its quality and support for the students, understanding the needs of each and every one.
Education in Spain is compulsory from the age of 6 to 16, and even though it is regulated by the Ministry of Education, regional governments are in charge of managing and financing the schools in their territory.
There are 3 types of schools:
Public Schools: It is the most highly demanded option in Spain. Education is free, and classrooms have an average of 22 students.
Semi-private School: They are usually catholic schools and there is a monthly charge. Classrooms usually have an average of 20 students.
Private Schools: Highly renowned schools with reduced classes and better structural and educational means. They usually offer boarding accommodation. Enrollment is usually more selective in terms of grades. Their price is higher.
Generally speaking, students have three holiday periods: two weeks in December, one week in March or April and two and a half months in summer.
The school year starts in early September and ends in mid-June.
On weekdays, students mix 8 to 10 subjects every year with 6 hours of daily classes. They are graded after every trimester.
Academic Information
Due to the education system in Spain differing from British’s, students must speak with their guidance counsellors and principals in order to organize their academic schedules for the year of the exchange. With our experience, we recommend the following as options for the students to discuss with their counsellors:
- Online classes while students are in Spain (no more than 3)
- Summer school before the exchange and/or after
- Students have extra credits already from previous years
- Spanish language credit (if applicable)
- Peer leadership courses
- Take more difficult courses that require in presence studies like math, science, chemistry etc. in the first semester and in the 2nd semester courses that teachers can allow freedom, provide projects or work to do while in Spain and students can join back in easily
| 08.30 - 09.20 | UK studies |
| 09.25 - 10.15 | Economics |
| 10:20 - 11:10 | Arts |
| 11:10 - 11:40 | Break |
| 11:40 - 12:30 | UK studies |
| 12:35 - 13:25 | Spanish SL |
| 13:30 - 14:20 | Physical Education |
| 14:20 | Go home for lunch |
Note: Some students opt to volunteer and act as laguage assistants and British ambassadors in classrooms of primary school or middle school Engish.
Study equivalencies
| EDAD | SPAIN | UK | IRELAND | EEUU | CANADA | GERMANY | FRANCE |
| 7 - 8 | 2º EP | YEAR 3 | 2ND CLASS | - | - | - | |
| 8 - 9 | 3º EP | YEAR 4 | 3RD CLASS | - | - | - | |
| 9 - 10 | 4º EP | YEAR 5 | 4RD CLASS | - | - | - | |
| 10 - 11 | 5º EP | YEAR 6 | 5RD CLASS | - | - | - | |
| 11 - 12 | 6º EP | YEAR 7 | 6RD CLASS | - | - | - | SIXIEME CLASSE |
| 12 - 13 | 1º ESO | YEAR 8 | 1ST YEAR | GRADE 7 | GRADE 7 / 8 | 7º SCHULJAHR | CINQUIEME CLASSE |
| 13 - 14 | 2º ESO | YEAR 9 | 2ND YEAR | GRADE 8 | GRADE 8 / 9 | 8º SCHULJAHR | QUATRIEME CLASSE |
| 14 - 15 | 3º ESO | YEAR 10 | 3RD YEAR % JUNIOR CERTIFICATE | GRADE 9 | GRADE 9 / 10 | 9º SCHULJAHR | TROISEME CLASSE |
| 15 - 16 | 3º ESO | YEAR 11& GCSE* | 4TH YEAR (TY)* | GRADE 10 | GRADE 10 / 11 | 10º SCHULJAHR | SECONDE CLASSE |
| 16 - 17 | 1º BACHILLERATO | YEAR 12 | 5TH YEAR | GRADE 11 | GRADE 11 / 12 | 11/12º SCHULJAHR | PREMIERE CLASSE |
| 17 - 18 | 2º BACHILLERATO | YEAR 13 & A LEVELS* | 6TH YEAR & LIVING CERTIFICATE | GRADE 12 | GRADE 12 / 13 | 13º SCHULJAHR | TERMINALE & TITULO DE BACCALAUREATE CLASSE |
* ADVANCE LEVELS
* TRANSITION YEAR
Matching Process
While the priority in the matching process is that the two students are a good pair, the family plays a significant role in the decision. We want the students to be comfortable and happy, and the families, both by nature and in knowing that their own child will receive similar care in the destination country, are welcoming and generous. We also guarantee no more than one international student per home, unless otherwise requested.
ALL families are carefully inspected and have the Spanish Criminal Record Certificate. The student will get a welcome video from the family before the arrival as well as all necessary information. At this point, students and families from both sides will be invited to talk!
The family provides full pension (breakfast, lunch, and supper in Canada, four meals in Spain) as well as laundry facilities and change of bed linens. They ensure a well-balanced diet, respecting the preferences of the students to the best of their ability and ensuring the safety of the student with regards to any allergies.
In almost all cases, students will have access to Wi-Fi in the home and may use the telephone to receive calls. They will have sheet and towel changes weekly as a minimum.
The hosts will accompany the student to the school or to the school bus stop on the first day to ensure that they know the way. One of the characteristics of the host families is the constant effort they put in to ensuring that the student feels welcome and integrated into the customs and language of Spain and their family. This is just an additional benefit for the student and their experience. An exchange is more than simply learning a new language and culture. It is about finding a place to call home abroad.
¿What does a basic program include?
- Personal and family interview via skype
- Immersion in secondary school in Spain
- Academic support
- Full board accommodation with the exchange partner’s family. *Before you leave, you will get all the information as well as a welcome video of the family
- Extracurricular activities
- 1 full day excursion and 1/2 day excursion
- Medical, travel and civil liability insurance for the stay
- Basic uniform (if necessary)
- School books
- Volunteer work for the community (on request)
- Academic monitoring
- 24h phone line
- Accompanying group leader for flights
-
Emergency contact wallet card
- Certificate of completion at the end
Not included: Flights school supplies, Visa (if applicable) and transfers in UK. Ken’s is an authorised travel agency, and can manage transport for you if you wish.
Ask for the possibility of a Teacher Exchange
Extras
- Additional excursions
- Cancelation insurance
- Extra activities
- Spanish as a second language
- School transportation (usually no need)
5 to 7 weeks: from 2.250 €
8 to 12 weeks: from 2.950 €
Not included: flights and transfers in UK
We can also customize the programme to your needs from 1 week on. Ask for prices and conditions.
Final price depends on number of students.
Do you want to fundraise for your trip?
With the new easy-pay platform, students will be able to personalize their page. They can then share their link for people to donate. All money is deducted from the total due. Students can keep track of their success!
Interested?
This exchange is not something that can be done on an individual basis. We work with schools, rather than individuals.
If you are interested let us know and we’ll be happy to contact your school.
Register
Our registration process is completely electronic. However, you may speak to a Ken’s representative at any time via chat, email, phone or skype.
We have a created and designed an intranet or webspace for our students. It is a personalized space where the student can fulfill all registration obligations in a timely, simple and organized fashion.
With this tool, the student can: register, download documents such as insurance information, family profiles, school profiles, school subjects and more while also uploading required documents for Ken’s such as medical information (vaccine booklet), police clearances, photocopy of passport, report cards, welcome cards etc. In other words, this platform will contain EVERYTHING our students need for their program, depending on their final destination and program choice.
Click to Register
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