Hosting an Exchange Student in Edinburgh
1. How much does it cost to host?
Families hosting are expected to provide evening meals and cover any trips planned by the family. Treat the host student as you would a member of your family.
2. How do I arrange travel?
Contact your child's exchange partner family to discuss flight times. You will meet the student at the airport when they arrive. If their return flight is during the school day they will be sent to the airport in a taxi.
3. When will the student arrive?
Canadian Exchange:
GWC students travel to Canada in the October holidays of S3. Canadian pupils visit Scotland in the following March.
Don Mercer Exchange:
GWC students travel to Australia in July after S4 exams. Australian pupils visit Scotland the following September.
4. What will the exchange student wear at GWC?
Students are expected to bring their own school uniform and PE kit to GWC.
The Don Mercer students are provided with a GWC uniform by the school.
5. What sort of activities should we do with our exchange student?
Treat them as you would any other visitor - most students want to experience the 'tourist' side of Edinburgh including visits to the Castle, Camera Obscura, Arthur's Seat etc.
6. What will exchange students do while at GWC?
Exchange students will largely follow their GWC exchange partner's timetables whilst at school. Where classes are at capacity, endeavours will be made to ensure that pupils can attend lessons where there is another exchange student.
The school may also organise a day trip for exchange pupils during the school day. In the past, this has included a trip to Camera Obscura/a walking tour of Edinburgh with our Outdoor Learning Professionals.
George Watson College Pupils on Exchange
1. How much does it cost?
You will pay for flights and some spending money for your child. Meals are included, in school during the day and with the exchange family in the evenings/on weekends.
2. How do I arrange travel?
First contact your child's exchange partner and family to discuss flight times. We advise you to try and book flights along with the other GWC students so they can fly out together.
For the Canadian exchange, flights are booked centrally via a travel agent.
For the Don Mercer exchange, families book flights independently. It would be helpful if this information could be passed to k.everett@gwc.org.uk so that host school's can be made aware.
3. When will my child travel?
Canadian Exchange:
GWC students travel to Canada in the October holidays of S3. Canadian pupils visit Scotland in the following March.
Don Mercer Exchange:
GWC students travel to Australia in July after S4 exams. Australian pupils visit Scotland the following September.
4. What should my child wear on their exchange?
Pupils are expected to wear their GWC uniform when in Canada.
For the Don Mercer exchange, pupils are provided a uniform by the host school.
5. What will my child do whilst on exchange?
They will spend two weeks attending lessons in their partner school. Partner schools may also organise some activities during the school day.
6. What will I do whilst at school?
You will attend all lessons with your exchange partner. This means you will be expected to take part in the lessons, be attentive and attempt the work as you would in a lesson at GWC.