Student Exchange Program

2011 Student Exchange to Belgium

Applications NOW AVAILABLE for students and chaperons!

Click on the following links for applications and criteria. All applications must be printed, accompanied by all required materials, and received by the Memphis in May office no later than 5:00pm on Wednesday, December 1, 2010.

Student Application

Chaperon Application

Download this flyer to hand out to students

or post on a bulletin board!

About the Student Exchange Program

The Student Exchange Program provides selected students and chaperon with an all-expense paid, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the culture of our honored country.  Each year students are selected based on communication skills, grades, and community service. This year's exchange will be to the Kingdom of Belgium!

For 10-12 days each spring, a group of Memphis in May exchange students travel to Memphis in May's honored country. All students stay with selected host families in the host country, attend classes at a host high school, visit famous monuments and landmarks, and experience a different culture first-hand. Prior to travel, preparation session are held with emphasis on orientation to the culture and country the students will visit,  along with travel details and student responsibilities as Memphis in May ambassadors.  The program is offered at no charge to the students or accompanying chaperon. Selected students are encouraged to share their experiences and new knowledge of the honored country with local school and community groups after their return.

The Memphis in May Student Exchange Program is open to any 11th or 12th grade student enrolled in a public, private, or authorized home school within Shelby County; the student must be enrolled from August to June of the current school year. Teachers, parents, guidance counselors, and administrators are encouraged to recommend high school juniors and seniors to apply for this unique opportunity each fall. Applications are posted at the beginning of each school year. For more information, contact Rebecca Fennell via email or phone at 525-4611, ext. 108.

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Host a Student from Belgium

Each spring, the Memphis in May International Festival hosts high school students from the festival's honored country as the second part of the Student Exchange Program. These students and their chaperones stay for 10-12 days with Memphis-area host families, attend classes at a host high school, and visit area attractions. Every year the festival looks for Memphis-area families that are interested in this amazing opportunity for cultural exchange.

Click here for an application to host one of more Belgian students!

For more information about hosting a student from Belgium in the spring of 2011, please contact Rebecca Fennell.

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2010 Student Exchange to Tunisia

In March of 2010, a delegation of eleven high school students and a chaperon from Memphis traveled to Tunisia as ambassadors for the Mid South and the USA.  The students were the selected participants in the 2010 Memphis in May International Festival annual Student Exchange Program.  The students lived with Tunisian host families, attend a local high school, and experienced the sights, sounds, and culture of this North African nation.The exchange was coordinated by and with the generous help of AFS Tunisia.

The students from Memphis had a chance to see Roman mosaics, visit Phoenician ruins at Carthage, and befriend Tunisian students and their families. By immersing themselves within the Tunisian culture, the students were able to genuinely learn about Tunisian traditions, people, and history. The students were accompanied by chaperon Ludovic Bruneau, French teacher at White Station High School.  

2010 Selected Student Delegation

Chenay Barnes, Whitehaven High School

Louisa Boyd, St. Mary's Episcopal School

Kenric Duncan, Home School - Faith Heritage Christian Academy

James Gruber, White Station High School

Jeremy Himmelstein, Lausanne Collegiate School

Simone Jones, White Station High School

Alejandra Lopez, Collierville High School

LaTricia Mitchell, Germantown High School

Kashun Newson, Southwind High School

Aashish Patel, White Station High School

Anh Vo, White Station High School

               Kenric Duncan, student, in Tunisia          Ludovic Bruneau, chaperon, in Tunisia