Attending high school in South America gives students the opportunity to learn Spanish or Portuguese at a young age, get to know the warm Latin culture closely and live on a continent with some of the most impressive natural wonders in the world. Countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Uruguay offer high school students an unforgettable experience with their different cultures and educational options.
Students from Turkey mostly attend high school in South America through exchange programs lasting one semester or one academic year. In these programs, students stay with a local host family and attend a high school in that country. Students aiming for an international diploma can choose international schools in large cities.
Attending high school in South America offers students important academic and personal advantages.
South America is a large continent made up of twelve independent countries. The continent's largest country is Brazil, whose official language is Portuguese. Spanish is spoken in most of the other countries, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Uruguay.
Because most of South America lies in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are the opposite of Turkey's. The continent has a wide range of climates, from tropical to temperate and cold. Music, dance, football and a rich culinary culture make South America a colorful place for students to live.
The high school education system varies from country to country in South America. In many countries, secondary education usually covers students between the ages of 12 and 17 or 18, and lasts five or six years depending on the country.
In many countries, long-established private schools are common alongside public schools. Exchange students are usually placed in public or private schools that work with the program organizations.
The types of high schools international students can choose from in South America are:
There are different programs for high school education in South America depending on the student's goals and the length of stay:
Application requirements for high schools in South America vary depending on the country, the type of program and the school. For exchange programs, students are usually expected to be within a certain age range, have a good academic record and be open to a new language and culture. Many exchange programs do not require prior knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese; however, basic language skills make settling in easier.
The application usually requires report cards from recent years, a transcript, teacher references, student and family introduction letters and health information. International schools may also hold an English proficiency assessment, an entrance exam and an interview.
In most South American countries, the school year starts in February or March and ends in November or December. The longest holiday falls in December, January and February, during the Southern Hemisphere summer. In some countries, such as Colombia and Ecuador, and at many international schools, the school year may start in August or September.
Applications for exchange programs are usually made 6 to 12 months before the program starts. Many exchange programs start in July or August to fit the school calendar in Turkey. Since host family placement and visa processes take time, applying early is very important.
The country and city where you can attend high school in South America depend on the language you want to learn and the type of program. In exchange programs, students are placed in the city or town where their host family lives.
In most South American countries, public high schools are tuition-free. However, this right generally applies to families residing in that country. It is usually not possible for a student living in Turkey to enroll full-time in these schools without moving there with their family.
The most common way for students from Turkey to attend high schools in South America is through exchange programs. In these programs, no tuition is paid at public schools; however, a program fee is paid to the organizing institution for host family placement, organization, insurance and support services. For students placed in private schools, school fees are usually included in the program fee or stated separately. International schools charge fees.
The cost of high school education in South America varies widely depending on the country and the type of program. Fees for exchange programs vary depending on the length of the program, host family placement and the services included. Fees at international schools in large cities are higher.
When planning your budget, you should account for airfare, health insurance, visa costs, pocket money and school trips in addition to the program or school fee. You should also keep in mind that flights to South America can be long and expensive.
At NGGlobal, we share the current prices of our partner institutions with you and work with you to choose the program that best fits your budget and goals.
The main accommodation options for high school students in South America are:
In all options, students' safety and wellbeing come first. Exchange students receive support from local coordinators throughout the program and are regularly briefed on safety. The rules set by program organizations help ensure that students have a safe experience.
Many South American countries grant Turkish citizens visa exemption for short visits. However, a student visa or residence permit is usually required for high school education lasting one semester or one academic year. Visa conditions and application processes differ from country to country.
The application usually requires documents such as the letter of acceptance from the school or exchange organization, host family details, proof of financial means, health insurance, a criminal record certificate and, for minor students, a notarized parental consent form. Applications are made through the relevant country's missions in Turkey.
Since visa processing can take time, it is important to plan your application early. At NGGlobal, we support our students and their families at every step of the visa process.
Students who take part in a high school exchange program in South America or complete part of their high school education there must obtain recognition (denklik) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education to continue their education where they left off when they return to Turkey. Students who earn a high school or IB diploma in South America must also obtain recognition of their diploma to apply to universities in Turkey.
Because the school year in many South American countries starts at a different time from Turkey's, moving between grades needs careful planning. For the recognition process to run smoothly, the courses taken and grades earned must be documented, and the documents must be certified and translated. It is advisable to speak with your school and the Provincial Directorate of National Education before the program starts to learn the recognition requirements.
At NGGlobal, we offer free consultation to students who want to attend high school in South America and to their families. By assessing the student's age, academic background, language goals and the family's budget, we identify the most suitable country and program.
Contact us to build your plan for high school in South America together.
In Brazil, teaching is in Portuguese, while in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru and most other countries it is in Spanish. International schools in large cities teach in English or bilingually.
Many exchange programs do not require prior language knowledge. However, basic language skills make adapting to school and the host family much easier.
In most South American countries, the school year starts in February or March and ends in November or December. In some countries and at international schools, it may start in August or September.
In exchange programs, students stay with carefully selected families and receive ongoing support from local coordinators. It is important to follow the program organization's safety rules and to choose the country and city carefully.
Yes. If you prepare all the required documents, you can obtain recognition from the Turkish Ministry of National Education and continue your education in Turkey where you left off.
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