English in Action: The English-Speaking Union

Secondary School Exchange

How to Apply

Calendar for SSE Application and Notification for a 2019-2020 Gap Year

Fall 2018:  Call for applicants.

  • ESU staff sent an outreach letter to the committee, and then to school coordinators.  Student materials posted online.
  • Submit the Student Application.

December 2018:  ESU staff will send interview materials to the SSE Committee Regional Chairs.

January 21, 2019:  Deadline for applications.

  • Students will submit applications online.

February 4-18, 2019:  ESU Regional Chairs conduct interviews (in person or via phone/Skype/FaceTime).

February 21, 2019: Deadline for Regional Chairs to submit interview notes to the ESU for dissemination to the committee.

Mid-March 2019:  Confirm finalists, and send confirmation to the UK for placement. 

By April 8, 2019: American finalists placed in UK schools.

Mid-April 2019:  The ESU notifies finalists and families of their placement.  A $2,000 non-refundable program fee is due to the ESU upon receipt of invoice.

June 2019:  Pre-departure orientation at the ESU in New York.

September 2019:  Students depart for the United Kingdom.