Our Exchange Program
for the grades 9 & 10
As a founding member of the Round Square Association, Salem offers an attractive exchange program with some of the almost 200 member schools, as well as many other schools around the world. Students in grades 9 and 10 can apply for a visit of eight to 12 weeks at one of these schools. Students from the other partner school also attend Salem for a similar length of time.
The exchange program involve schools where English, French or Spanish is spoken.
Experience Reports
If you would like to learn more about our exchange program, it is worth taking a look at our Salem Magazine No. 91. There Madita reports on her exchange to Denmark and exchange student Didi from South Africa gives insight into her time in Salem.
In 2024, the Round Square School Matthew Flinders Anglican College welcomed Helena to Australia. After her stay, she was interviewed by the Round Square service there about her experiences. Read the interview
This involves an exchange arranged between one Salem student and one foreign exchange student.
Applications for the Salem exchange programs can be approved when the student displays an above-average academic record and active involvement in boarding school activities. Decisions are made by an in-house review committee.
Nina Peters
Head of International Office
Tel. +49 7553 919-305
Send email
Anais Tommy-Martin
Tel. +49 7553 919-357
Send email
Erika Stauder-Perwer
Tel. +49 7553 919-163
Send email
Regular group exchange visits are arranged with the Tsinghua High School in Beijing, China (Agess 8-12) and the Alsacian Institut de L'Assoption in Colmar, France (Agess 5-7).
Kai Hoffmann
The respective French teacher of year 7.
- Information-gathering interview with Salem's International Office
- English-language application
- Reports gathered from boarding school mentor and class teacher
- Decision to accept application by head of studies and head of boarding school
- Extensive application portfolio prepared for the partner school
(personal information and profile, academic record, boarding school report, class teacher report, certificate of health, vaccination record, parental approval) - Selection of foreign school made together with the International Office
(residency in boarding school or with guest family) - If necessary: Visa application arranged by the family of the Salem student
- Travel arrangements organized by the family of the Salem student
In which countries are our exchange school partners located?
- North America: Canada, U.S.A.
- South America: Peru
- Europe: Switzerland, France, UK, Spain
- Africa: South Africa
- Asia: India, China, Singapore
- Pacific: Australia, New Zealand
What kind of schools are involved?
- Boarding schools (both co-educational and girls' or boys' schools)
- Day schools (with host families)
What are the prerequisites for a successful application?
- Submission of application in English by the deadline
- Good academic record (above-average marks on current grade report)
- Above-average involvement in boarding school community (e.g., as office holder, activity leader); the student is a dedicated member of the community and judged to be a worthy representative of Salem and Germany
- Approval from heads of boarding school and academic studies
- Readiness to host exchange students in Salem, also during school holidays
- Extensive application portfolio for the partner school
- Readiness to make a presentation about Salem at the partner school
- Willingness to maintain contact with teachers and fellow students in Salem regarding current classroom assignments, with subsequent independent self-study
- Continued pursuit of long-term projects
- Presentation at school assembly in Salem
- Written report in English about exchange experience (to be graded by English teacher) within three weeks upon return
What are the duties of an exchange student?
- Active participation in the preparation phase
- Precise agreements with all subject teachers before beginning the exchange
- Regular feedback during the exchange
- Presentation about Salem at school assembly of the partner school
- Hosting of exchange students in Salem
- Hosting of exchange students during shorter school holidays as needed
What deadlines must be observed?
- Counseling interviews take place throughout the Ages with the staff of the International Office
- Applications must be submitted in the school Ages prior to the planned exchange
- Class 10 students who newly admitted to the school may submit an application by the beginning of the autumn Holidays
When do exchanges take place?
- Exchanges may take place in any of the three trimesters, as well as during the summer holidays
- Newly admitted students may participate no earlier than the 3rd trimester of their first Ages at Salem
How long does an exchange last?
Individual Exchange:
- Approximately six weeks for students holding important offices at Salem
- Up to three months for all other students
Group Exchange:
- China exchange program lasts approximately 10 days
- France Exchange program lasts approximately 1 week
What costs are involved?
- Airline fare
- Pocket money
- Gifts for hosts
- Security deposit to the exchange partner school
- Exchange students continue to pay school fees at their home schools
Who can apply?
- Every student in the middle school
- Preference is given to students in their last Ages of middle school (IC10 and Ages 10 D)
- Students with an exemplary academic record
- Students with a good academic and boarding school profile
- Students who have not incurred repeated disciplinary measures
Will the exchange school provide certificate of attendance?
- In most cases the exchange student will receive an official certificate.
Online Information Event
In our information session 'Grades 7-10', the Head of Admissions talks for 45 minutes about the life and learning of our youngest pupils and the special features of our boarding school.