Student Exchanges

SCN Student Exchange objectives:

Intercultural knowledge and relationship building
Global awareness
Personal values and language skills
Focus on communities, service and commitment

By participating in the SCN Student Exchange program, students will:

Become an international ambassador for Nashville in their chosen Sister City
Learn about their host country, its people, culture and language
Develop skills to deal with future challenges, independence and self-awareness
Expand their interests and experiences
Build friendships that last a lifetime
Respect the customs, economic differences, lifestyle and daily routine of the host country and family

Sister Cities of Nashville currently maintains high school exchanges with Caen, France; Magdeburg, Germany; Mendoza, Argentina, Taiyuan, China and Tamworth, Australia.

To apply to be a Student Ambassador, click here.

The exchanges typically bring students to Nashville for two weeks during the regular school year and send Nashville-area students abroad for approximately the same length of time during the summer. Students stay with local families and usually attend some school as well as enjoy sightseeing and other cultural activities. A chaperone accompanies the exchange students to their destination.

Travel Costs

The student is required to pay a $300 application fee and is responsible for the cost of airfare to the destination city. We suggest the students bring an additional $200 for incidentals, souvenirs, some meals. Some of the trips require an additional stipend for special overnight activities (which can range from $250 to $400). For complete Financial Information and Payment Schedule, please click here .

Many deserving students are not able to participate unless they receive financial assistance. Please consider making a contribution to SCN's Student Scholarship Fund to help all students have this incredible cultural and educational experience.

Planned exchanges for 2019 include:

Check out this video of the Student Ambassador Program:
short (3:23 min)

Caen and Paris, France (prefer students with at least two years of French language study)
Travel will take place June 3 - 18 approx.;
click here to see sample schedule for Caen
click to see a video of the Student Ambassador Program - France (3:28)

Magdeburg and Berlin, Germany (no language requirement)
This exchange will NOT take place in 2020. Will resume 2021.
Travel will take place June 1-15 approx.;
click here to see sample schedule for Magdeburg
click to see a video of the Student Ambassador Program - Germany (2:35)

Mendoza, Argentina (prefer students with at least two years of Spanish language study)
Travel will take place May 30 - June 14 approx.;
click here to see sample schedule for Mendoza
click to see a video of the Student Ambassador Program - Argentina (2:18)

Taiyuan and Beijing, China
Student exchange planned for June 14-28 approx.;
click here to see sample schedule for Taiyuan
click to see a video of the Student Ambassador Program - China (2:52)

Tamworth and Sydney, Australia
Student exchange planned for June 14-30 approx.;
click here to see sample schedule for Tamworth
click to see a video of the Student Ambassador Program - Tamworth (2:47)