A student exchange program is a program in which a student, typically in secondary education chooses to live in a foreign country to learn, among other things, language and culture. These programs are called 'exchanges' because organizations in different countries will trade off students in this fashion.

These programs are available from a number of service-oriented organizations, such as Rotary International and the American Field Service, which offer two of the more popular programs, and other organizations such as the Kiwanis or Lions Clubs offer similar programs. In any case, a typical student exchange falls into one of three groups.

• Long term exchange
• Short term exchange
• University Exchange

A long term exchange is considered an exchange which is designed to last for longer than ten months. Participants can expect to attend schools in their host countries, with student visas. They are expected to become fully fluent in the language of their host country, integrate themselves into the local community and surroundings, and upon their return to their home country are expected to incorporate this knowledge into their daily lives, as well as give a presentation on their experience to their sponsors. This is a hallmark of Rotary International and the American Field Service.

A short term exchange usually takes place during the summer months of July-August. Students do not attend school and are instead given a brief introduction to the language of their host country with heavy emphasis on sightseeing and cultural learning. Upon their return they are expected to give a short presentation on their experience to their sponsors. This program is quite popular with North American students, as school lets out at this time. This program is most offered by the Kiwanis and Lions Clubs.

A University Exchange occurs when sister universities trade off students, or through special programs such as Rotary International's Ambassadorial Scholarship. Students attend university classes and often live in on-site dormitories. These can last anywhere from a single semester to a full degree.

Exchange students in film

Exchange students in the film have been stereotyped as exaggerated caricatures of their home countries. For instance, Long Duc Dong in the movie Pretty in Pink was a Vietnamese exchange student who adapted a fork and spoon to function as a pair of chopsticks. Nadia, the Czech exchange in American Pie was portrayed as a wanton nympho.