Highland Student Exchange – Thailand 2026


white lotus-shaped pagoda in the lake, Buddhist in Ban Chiang, Udon Thani, Thailand.

What is a cultural exchange?

Are you interested in participating in a fun, exciting and memorable 2.5 -3 weeklong adventure next Spring Break? Travel with Highland to Udon Thani in northeast Thailand, Hua Hin, a beach resort area along the Gulf of Thailand, and to the capital city of Bangkok. Through an exchange with students from Don Bosco school in Udon Thani, you will stay in this historic provincial capital city with your host buddy, sharing in family and school activities, all while visiting local sites and popular destinations. You can immerse yourself right into life in Thailand and build friendships for years to come. In return, we will host our Thai buddies for 3 weeks and showcase the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island.

Don Bosco is a private school offering English language classes and has arranged with our school district the opportunity for a short term cultural and English language immersion exchange experience.

Who is the exchange for?

Students who will be in Grades 9-12 starting September 2025 that are wanting to connect with students and families of another culture. Families and students must be willing to host an Thai student at the end of September or early October for 3 weeks. Students will need to be able to travel to Thailand at least a week prior to and including at least a week of Spring Break of 2026 for a duration of approximately 21 days and willing to be hosted by an Thai student’s family while staying in Udon Thani. Exact dates of the exchange on both ends will not be known until May 2025.

A maximum of 18-22 students can go on this exchange. The first set of successful applicants chosen to participate will be notified by the end of February or early March, with the initial deposit of $1000 due prior to spring break to secure their spot.  Two payments of $500 deposits paid before and following spring break, can be worked out with applicant and  family if needed.

Should additional spots still be available following the first round of approvals, after or just prior to spring break, those students and families will be contacted with approval letters with initial deposit due on date indicated on approval letter.

For more information, you can contact:

Comox Valley Home Stay for Thai Students

While the students are in the Comox Valley, it is expected that the homestay family will welcome them in and give them local experiences (Tofino, Qualicum/Parksville, Denman/Hornby, Mt. Washington, etc.). Students will stay with families each night while they are here, except for one night where they will be on an overnight trip. During the school week while the Highland students are in school, the students will participate in day excursions that may include (Elk Falls, Mt. Washington hike, Cathedral Grove, Deep Bay Marine Station, Big House experience, and a trip to Victoria).

It is important that families are committed to spending time with their Thai student and should consider suspending extra-curricular activities during this time if the student is unable to take part. Families who are hosting a student as part of this exchange will need to fill out a Home Stay Application.

Cost: Will be Announced

Until the trip details have been finalized, we do not have a confirmed cost yet, however it is estimated to be between $4500-$5000. The price includes both the outbound trip as well as the hosting side field trips. This is a very rough estimate as price changes on airfare and insurance, costs for “add-on” adventures, and costs of local trips for our Thai guests will have a role in determining our final trip budget. Traditionally the cost of this trip is lower than typical international trips as we do not need to pay for accommodations. Highland students will probably want some spending money for our time there.

Some fundraising opportunities may be available, at motivation and organization of participating student and their families to be involved in, which may help offset some trip costs.

Passports and documentation……please inquire ASAP!

PASSPORT INFORMATION

You will need a passport that will not expire within six (6) months of the return date of the trip. You will also fill in detailed permission slips, a parent consent form which will need to be notarized, medical form and a standard letter giving the staff members listed above permission to take you on international travel.

If your parents are divorced / separated you must make sure BOTH sets of parents fill out all of these documents.

Cultural Exchange Application Form