Individual Exchanges

Specialist Reports Styles of Holiday Exchange Holidays Individual Exchanges En Famille International 

	En Famille International
Jacques Pinault, 26 Savarias, 33240 Salignac, France
tel: +33 557 435 248

A non-commercial French association set up in the late ‘70s with the aim of offering children a chance to experience a second culture. So far it reports that more than 1,000 children have taken part in its exchanges. The organisation points out that from the start the family must discuss the issue with the child's school as the visiting child will need to attend and for six months the pupil will be absent. En Famille reports that in Britain the DfEE says that a pupil granted an ‘authorised absence' from school remains on the admission register and is counted on the school census. It also reports that no child has ever had schooling problems because of an exchange.

Where

France/Britain and/or Germany/Britain.

When

In negotiation with your child's school and the exchange family either the beginning of the school year until half term in February, or half term in February until end of August.

Age

9-13 years.

How Organised

An exchange with a family with a child of the same age, each spending an equivalent time with the other's family. The organisation reports that children return home bi-lingual and have a unique insight into a different culture.

How Long

Six months in Britain, six in France/Germany, the two children staying together for a full school year.

Cost

Euro 750 or £480.