Study With BFF

If you have dreamt of studying in another country and learning about the culture, we can make that a reality! Whether you want to study in Ireland, Italy, France, or many other countries, we can help you make it happen.

Open your heart to the world!

Are you seeking an opportunity to broaden your horizons? Borderless Friends Forever offers an exchange program for teenagers aged 15 to 18. Whether you are a high schooler in Europe, Asia, Africa, or the United States, BFF and our international partners can provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

There are many reasons to consider this unique opportunity. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

    • Are you open-minded and flexible?
    • Do you crave adventure and new experiences?
    • Are you eager to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone?
    • Would you like to set yourself apart with your college applications?
    • Are you hoping to make worldwide connections? 
    • Do you wish to better understand yourself and the world around you? 
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Study Internationally

If you are a US high school student and have dreamt of studying in another country and learning about the culture, we can make that a reality for you! BFF partners with international organizations across the world and supports you throughout the entirety of your global adventure!

By working with an internationally recognized exchange student program, you will have the assurance that you are well taken care of. You will be assigned a great host family, have the proper insurance, and attend a fantastic school.

The Programs

Academic Year Programs

The Year Program offers students the opportunity to spend a full academic year living and studying in Italy. Students live with a volunteer host family and attend a local high school, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in Italian culture, language, and daily life. Over the course of the year, students build strong relationships, gain independence, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. This program is perfect for students looking for a truly transformative study abroad experience.

Academic Semester Programs

The Semester Program lasts approximately five months and allows students to fully immerse themselves in Italian life. Students live with a volunteer host family and attend a local high school while experiencing Italian culture and daily life firsthand. Participants have the option of studying abroad during either the fall or spring semester, making it a flexible choice for many students. This program is ideal for those who want a deeper and more meaningful study abroad experience.

Term Programs

The Term Program lasts approximately two to three months and offers students the opportunity to experience daily life in Italy. Students live with a volunteer host family and attend a local high school while immersing themselves in Italian culture. This short-term program is perfect for students who want to get a taste of what it’s like to live and study abroad.

Study in the USA

Experience the United States culture in real life. You will learn that real life in the US is not always like the movies! Sometimes, it is just as simple as playing board games or riding a bike in the neighborhood. Taste uniquely American foods, meet students at your high school and immerse yourself in extracurricular activities. Experience regional and local cultures here, depending on your placement location. You may drink sweet tea and watch a lot of college basketball in North Carolina, or you may live in Big Sky Country, Montana!

 

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The Programs

Academic Year Programs

Borderless Friends Forever Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes the diplomacy efforts of the United States Department of State’s exchange visitor program. BFF Foundation has been created to offer the J1 Visa for high school students. The J1 Visa allows students to live in the US for one year and attend public school.

Academic Semester Programs

Unsure if you are ready for an entire year abroad? No problem!

Similarly to the academic year program, BFF offers a J1 Visa for high school students to attend one semester in a public high school. This program is typically only offered for the fall semester.

Summer Programs

Available only in North Carolina, this program spans approximately two months, with no school attendance required. Participants can enjoy summer activities with an American host family.

This program is wonderful for people who want to get a taste of what it’s like to live in America!

Expand Your Worldview

 

There are countless benefits to gaining new cultural experiences as an exchange student. Life abroad is not always what it seems like in the movies or on the internet. Take advantage of the opportunity to reside in a new environment and enjoy everyday activities, such as playing games, sampling local cuisine, socializing with new friends, and engaging in extracurricular activities to immerse yourself in a new community. Your life will change forever!

Educational Advantages

 

By enrolling in one of our accredited high schools in the US or internationally, you can experience life as a student in a foreign country, which will not only introduce you to new teaching styles and structures but will allow you to gain a global perspective through education. This experience can help improve language skills and enhance communication abilities.

Have Fun

 

The most important reason to consider being an exchange student with a BFF is because it is a fun way to try something new. Whether you’re interested in learning a new language, trying fresh foods, or exploring new places, being an exchange student with BFF can help you achieve these goals. Plus, you’ll have the support of the BFF team to help make your experience as smooth as possible. So, if you’re ready for an adventure, consider becoming an exchange student with BFF today!

YES Scholar Testimonial: Areesha

The YES program offers students from countries of strategic importance the chance to experience life in the United States by living with a host family and attending an American high school. Areesha, a proud YES alum (AY24-25), recently shared her exchange story with...

Mishal’s Student Story

I loved my time in the US and BFF made my time there more enjoyable and helped me to get comfortable in this foreign country. They were with me every step of the way, providing guidance, support and of course finding an amazing host family for me.

A Jordanians Experience in North Carolina

Ali became a BFF as a YES scholar in 2018. He moved from Amman, Jordan, to Holly Springs, North Carolina, and joined the Allis family. When Ali saw that BFF was representing Jordan as the country of the month, Ali was eager to share his experience…

Student Interview: Gor (Armenia)

What made you want to become an exchange student? 

“I wanted to be an exchange student because I love traveling and experiencing new cultures. I also wanted to challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone and learn more about the world beyond my own country. Plus, I saw it as an amazing opportunity to meet new people and make lifelong friends from different backgrounds. I believed that being an exchange student would allow me to gain a fresh perspective on my studies and life in general, and help me develop skills that I would use after.”

Student Interview: Alba (Spain)

Alba is a Spanish girl from Mallorca joined the Lako family in New Mexico for the 2023-2024 school year. She participated in a BFF interview, sharing her experience as an exchange student. 

Alum Story: Teodora D

Teodora became a part of Borderless Friends Forever in 2019 as a FLEX scholar from Montenegro. She resided with the Silva-Zanchetta family in North Carolina during her exchange year. Borderless Friends Forever is always excited to hear about the meaningful work our former exchange students do after their program experience. Teodora is genuinely making an impact!

A Day in the Life of an Exchange Student

Follow along as Zon from the Philippines navigates a typical day of American high school

Student Story: Muskan (Pakistan)

During her exchange year, Muskan, a Pakistani YES scholar, lived in Denver, CO, with the Alloush-Daigherty family. Alongside her host sister, Monica, they have excelled as students and cultural ambassadors. Muskan shared her experience as an exchange student with...

Advice From Our 2023-2024 Exchange Students

As they finished up their exchange year, we asked our students to share a bit about their experience. Our biggest question was, what advice would you give a student considering coming to the US as an exchange student? Here are some of their responses…

FLEX Scholar Testimonial: Aylin

The FLEX program offers students from countries of Eurasia the chance to experience life in the United States by living with a host family and attending an American high school. Aylin, a proud FLEX alum (AY24-25), recently shared her exchange story with us. "My name...

Interested In Studying With BFF?

If you’re a student between 15 and 18 years of age and aspire to study abroad, don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information. Please provide us with your name, age, current country of residence, desired study destination, and any other relevant details. One of our BFF Support Team members will contact you soon.