For some high school exchange student programs all levels of academic achievement are acceptable; others may require a minimum learning standard. For college exchange programs, standards are more rigorous - students are typically required to meet minimal grade point averages, have no incompletes in the last term, not be on probationary status, not owe any money to their home school, and not be facing any pending legal action.
At the high school level, students typically are not required to know the language of the country they will be visiting; it is expected they will quickly gain at least a basic grasp of the language by being thoroughly immersed in the foreign culture. At the college level, students are expected to be proficient in the host country's language. Some exchange programs make language learning aids such as tapes and lessons available prior to a student's departure for another country.
While the experience of visiting a foreign land is all the reward some students want, others may request credits for their time abroad. At the high school level, individual schools in the home country decide if credits will be granted; because the grading systems differ so much from one country to another, many schools choose not to allow them. Courses at the college level, meanwhile, often offer full credits to exchange students, although again, some schools may opt not to do so.
High school students normally go to school in their host country for one year. College exchange program have more flexibility, with lengths of six months to one to two years often available.
High school students visiting foreign lands stay with host families for the length of their visit. College students, meanwhile, sometimes are offered the choice of staying on campus, or to find housing on their own -- although at some colleges, it is explicitly stated an exchange student is to stay on campus.