The exchange program at Independence focuses on two week visits involving students from England, France, Germany, and Italy.  In each case students are hosted in the homes of students in the host country so that they can truly experience life in another culture.  They attend school with their hosts, interact with their host families on a daily basis, participate in various activities throughout the community, and certainly practice their second language skills.

    Beginning in 1991 with our first exchange to Brescia, Italy, we have expanded our student exchange program to include Krefeld, Germany, and Limoges, France, (two of Charlotte's sister cities) and Rugby, England.  We arrange the exchange through our friends in the international community rather than through any outside exchange organization.  As the Coordinator of the International Studies Program, Mrs. Anna Wilbanks is in charge of the student exchanges at Independence.

    At Independence we have approximately 1200 students taking Spanish as their second language.  Up until now, we have not had the opportunity to begin an exchange with a Spanish-speaking country.  Because we are so closely aligned with Mexico geographically, politically, economically, and socially, Mexico is our first choice for an exchange partner.  We are delighted to be working with Colegio Americano de Torreon to further this possibility.

    In Charlotte our visitors will enjoy the following orientation program; classes with hosts; special classes presented by teachers in marketing, nutrition, history, and others; excursions to places of local interest, such as the office of the mayor, the courts, the science museum, local festivals, etc.  They will celebrate with our sports teams, have parties with their hosts and friends, possibly visit the beachor mountains with their host families.

    Our Independence High School students enjoy a similar program in their host country.  In addition, for an extra fee, we sometimes visit a famous city for an overnight stay.

    Prior to their departure our students are required to participate in orientation sessions once per week for six weeks.  They learn about the history and culture of their host country.  We also have at least one preparatory meeting with parents and students together to discuss all expectations for the exchange.

    The cost of our exchange program is shared between our student participants, foreign participants, and the schools.  The students pay for their own airfare to the host country and then are hosted free of charge.  School-day programs and excursions, as well as lunches are paid for by the school.  Home hosts, of course, assume the cost of having a guest in their homes for two weeks.  Guests are expected to bring spending money for gifts and incidentals.  If our students or our guests want a major excursion in their host country, for instance to a capitol city, it is arranged in advance and paid for by the group requesting the excursion.