!Miami%derives%its%name%from%the%Na1ve%American%word%“Mayami”,%which%means%“%Big%Water”%and%it%is%located%in%the%southeastern%part%of%the%United%States.%Miami%was%a%popular%des1na1on%for%Pirates%like%Blackbeard%and%others%to%bury%their%treasures.%Miami%is%also% known% as% “% America’s% Riviera”% thanks% to% the% subtropical% climate,% extensive% vegeta1on% and% pris1ne% beaches.%Miami% is% an%important%center%and%leader%in%finance,%commerce,%culture,%media,%entertainment,%the%arts%and%interna1onal%trade.%!!In%2008,%Forbes%magazine%ranked%Miami%as%“America’s%Cleanest%City”,% for% its%yearPround%good%air%quality,%vast%green%spaces%with%more%than%800%parks,%clean%drinking%water%and%clean%streets.%Miami%was%ranked%as%the%richest%city%in%terms%of%purchasing%power.%Thanks% to% its% sunny%weather,%Miami%offers% countless%outdoor%ac1vi1es,%making% it%one%of% the%world’s% top%des1na1ons% for%water%sports.%Its%home%to%the%Miami%HEAT,%NBA%champions%in%2006,%2012%and%2013.%Miami’s%South%Beach%has%been%ranked%the%#1%beach%in%the%United%States%by%the%Travel%Channel.%!!ExchangeMate%USA%places%students% in%10%MiamiPDade%County%Public%Schools.%This% is%an%A%school%district%and%all% schools%offer%a%wide%range%of%academic%and%extraPcurricular%ac1vi1es.%Miami%is%a%very%big%city%with%lots%of%things%to%do,%great%shopping,%restaurants%and%very%beau1ful%beaches.%The%weather% is%warm%and%humid%for%the%most%part%of% the%year,%with%a% few%cold%days%during%winter.%There%is%always%something%going%on%in%Miami,%specially%related%to%sports%and%music.%Miami%has%a%very%influent%Hispanic%popula1on,%therefore%most%host%families% in%Miami%come%from%a%Hispanic%background%and%speak%both%English%and%Spanish%at%home.%This% is%a%bilingual%program%as%students%will%be%in%contact%with%both%English%and%Spanish%on%a%daily%basis.%%!

FUN$FACTS$!• The%first%suntan%lo1on%was%invented%in%Miami%Beach.%

• The%only%Everglades%ecoPsystem%in%the%world%is%in%Miami.%

• Miami%has%more%than%800%parks%and%is%the%only%city% in%the%United%States%that% is%bordered%by%two%separate%Na1onal%Parks%–%Biscayne%Na1onal%Park%and%Everglades%Na1onal%Park.%

• Miami%has%the%largest%Art%Deco%building%collec1on%in%the%World%(800+%buildings)%%

• Miami%has%the%largest%cruise%ship%port%in%the%world.%

• Miami%Beach%is%a%manPmade%island%that%was%once%a%Coconut%Grove%Planta1on.!

MIA

MI,

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!!!!Located%in%one%of%Miami’s%most%beau1ful%districts,%Coral%Gables%Senior%High%School%opened%its%doors%in%1950%and%has%maintained%its% level%of%performance%for%over%60%years.%Coral%Gables%High%school%has%been%ranked%as%high%as%5th% in% the%United%States%by%the%College%Board%for%having%one%of%the%highest%percentages%of%students%passing%Advanced%Placement%(AP)%exams.%Coral%Gables%High%School%was%one%of%only%twelve%high%schools%in%the%na1on%to%win%the%Siemens%Founda1on’s%Award%for%Advanced%Placement.%It%also%ranks%221st%in%Newsweek’s%Top%1,000%U.S.%Schools.%With%the%support%the%Southern%Associa1on%of%Colleges%and%Schools%(SACS),%the%school’s%dual%enrollment%program%with%Florida%Interna1onal%University%and%MiamiPDade%College%has%expanded%to%over%24%college%level%courses%offered%on%campus.%Every%year%Coral%Gables%High%School%students%win%the%most%pres1gious%scholarships,%including%the%Gates%Millennium,%Posse,%Na1onal%Merit,%and%Silver%Knight,%over%$35%million%the%past%five%years.%The%extensive%athle1c%program,%including% the% powerhouse% Badminton% team,% is% ranked% 6th% in% the% District% with% 100%% of% gradua1ng% athletes% admiied% to% postPsecondary%ins1tu1ons.!!Number$of$Students:%3300%Grades:%9%P12%Mascot:%Cavaliers%School$colors:%Crimson%and%Grey%Foreign$Languages:%Chinese,%(Mandarin),%French,%German,%Italian%and%Spanish.%Fine%Arts:%Band,%Ceramics,%Chorus,%Dance,%Drama,%Drawing,%IB%Theater,%Pain1ng,%Video%and%Film%Produc1on.%Sports:%American%Football,%Badminton,%Basketball,%Baseball,%Bowling,%Cross%Country,%Golf,%Soccer,%Swimming,%Solball,%Tennis,%Track%&%Field,%Volleyball,%Water%Polo%and%Wrestling.%School$website:%www.coralgablescavaliers.org% !

Age$requirement:%14%to%17%years%old%

ESOL/ESL$classes:%Yes%

Sports:%Yes%%

12th$grade$students:%Yes%

GraduaFon:%Yes%

Semester$Program:$Yes!

Mia

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MiamiPDade% County% Public% School% District% (MPDCPSD)% includes% a% number% of% diverse% and% vibrant%communi1es.%MiamiPDade% is% the% fourth% largest% school% district% in% the%United% States,%with%more% than%340,000%student%enrolled%in% its%435%schools,% including%elementary,%middle%and%senior%high%schools%as%well%as%alterna1ve,%specialized%and%voca1onal%centers.%Its%impressive%array%of%course%offerings%include%renowned% Bilingual% Schools,% Interna1onal% Baccalaureate% Programs,% Schools% in% the%Workplace% and% a%convenient%downtown%commuter%school%designed%for%working%parents.%%

CORAL$GABLES$SENIOR$HIGH$SCHOOL

!Founded%in%1998,%Dr.%Michael%M.%Krop%High%School%is% located%in%northeastern%Miami%and%offers%a%rigorous%academic%program.%For%ten%years,%the%school%has%created%a%tradi1on%of%excellence%that%inspires%success%in%all%areas%of%the%school.%Krop’s%success%is%evidenced%by%the%schools%high%ra1ng%from%the%State%of%Florida,%ranking%among%the%top%100%Florida%High%Schools%by%the%U.S%News%and%World%Report,% and% its% 6th% place% ranking% from% the% College% Board% for% students’% Advanced% Placement% (AP)% test% scores.% Yearly,% its% seniors%garner%approximately%$8%million%in%college%scholarships%and%are%admiied%to%the%na1on’s%top%universi1es%and%Ivy%League%schools.%At%Krop,%students%are%also%provided%with%opportuni1es%to%engage% in%almost%50%different%clubs%and%groups%serving%as%extraPcurricular%ac1vi1es.%Krop%is%also%the%home%of%the%STAR%Academy,%the%school’s%visual%and%performing%arts%program.%It%provides%classes%in%dance,%drama,%vocal%and%instrumental%music,%visual%arts,%and%television%produc1on.!!Number$of$Students:%3020%Grades:%9%P12%Mascot:%Lightning%School$colors:%Black,%Purple,%Silver%Foreign$Languages:%French,%Italian%and%Spanish.%Fine$Arts:%Drama,%Dance,%Music,%Visual%and%Performing%Arts.%Sports:%American%Football,%Badminton,%Baseball,%Basketball,%Bowling,%Cross%Country,%Golf,%Soccer,%Solball,%Swimming,%Tennis,%Track%&%Field,%Volleyball,%Water%Polo%and%Wrestling,%School$website:%hip://mkhs.dadeschools.net/%

!!!!!Felix%Varela%Senior%High%School%is%located%in%southwestern%Miami.%The%school%opened%to%students%in%the%fall%of%1999,%and%since%then%has% been% dedicated% to% crea1ng% a% quality% learning% environment%which% embraces% innova1ve% technology% and% instruc1onal% rigor% to%meet%everyday%challenges%by% incorpora1ng%relevant%community% issues,%global%advancements,%and%expecta1ons%for%high%academic%achievement% into% the% curriculum.% At% Felix% Varela,% students% are% empowered% to% know% they% can% succeed% in% Miami’s% diverse% and%dynamic%community.%Amongst%the%student%graduates,%over%85%%move%on%to%a%university%and/or%college%seqng.%The%school%boasts%a%challenging%curriculum%and%number%of%unique%learning%opportuni1es.%!Number$of$Students:%3460%Grades:%9%P12%Mascot:%Viper%School$colors:%Green,%Black,%and%Silver.%Foreign$Languages:%French,%German,%Italian,%Japanese%and%Spanish.%Fine$Arts:%Band,%Ceramics,%Dance,%Drama,%Drawing,%Jazz,%Marching%Band,%Pain1ng,%Photography%and%Television%Produc1on.%Sports:%American%Football,%Badminton,%Baseball,%Basketball,%Bowling,%Cross%Country,%Golf,%Soccer,%Solball,%Swimming,%Tennis,%Track%&%Field,%Volleyball,%and%Wrestling.%School$website:%hip://www.varelahighschool.org%

DR.$MICHAEL$M.$KROP$HIGH$SCHOOL

FELIX$VARELA$SENIOR$HIGH$SCHOOL

!!G.%Holmes%Braddock%Senior%High%School%provides% students%with%a% variety%of% academic%programs% including% the%Cambridge%Global%Studies%Academy%(CGSA),%the%Informa1on%Technology%Magnet%(IT)%,%and%MiamiPDade%County’s%innova1ve%iPrep%program.%The%school%also%offers%Advanced%Placement%(AP),%honors,%and%honors%giled%courses%in%every%discipline%as%well%as%na1onally%recognized%Naval%Junior%Reserve%Officer%Training%Corps%(NJROTC).%In%addi1on%to%magnet%programs,%Braddock%Senior%High%School%is%also%a%Visual%and%Performing%Arts%Des1na1on%School.%Braddock’s%Visual%and%Performing%Arts%academy%has%four%key%subjects:%Art,%Instrumental%Music,%Dance%and%theater.%G.%Holmes%Braddock%High%School%encourages%student%involvement%in%many%clubs%and%extracurricular%ac1vi1es.!!Number$of$Students:%3300%Grades:%8%P12%Mascot:%Bulldogs%School$colors:%Royal%Blue%and%Grey%Foreign$Languages:%American%Sign%Language,%French,%Italian,%Japanese%and%Spanish.%Fine%Arts:%Arts,%Band,%Dance,%Instrumental%Music%and%Theater.%Sports:%American%Football,%Badminton,%Basketball,%Baseball,%Bowling,%Cross%Country,%Golf,%Soccer,%Solball,%Swimming,%Tennis,%Track%&%Field,%Volleyball,%Water%Polo%and%Wrestling.%School$website:%hip://ghbraddock.dadeschools.net%!

G.$HOLMES$BADDOCK$SENIOR$HIGH$SCHOOL

!!Located% in%West% Kendall,% John%A.% Ferguson% Senior%High% School% opened% in% 2003.% It% provides% an% academic% experience% through% a%career%academy%model.%This%model%emphasizes%career%and%technical%educa1on,%cri1cal%thinking,%and%intercultural%understanding%to%prepare%students%to%meet%the%demands%of%the%global%economy%and%future%work%force.%Ferguson%is%also%a%cer1fied%Magnet%Program%School%and%offers%a%full%IB%program.%Yearly,%Ferguson%students%are%awarded%over%$6.8%million%in%scholarships.%Many%graduates%have%taken% these% scholarships% to% some% of% the% finest% worldPclass% universi1es% such% as% Yale,% Harvard,% Cornell,% Boston% College,% The%university%of%Pennsylvania,%John%Hopkins,%NYU,%The%University%of%Chicago,%Brown,%MIT,%and%The%University%of%Boston%among%others.%Ac1vi1es%and%athle1cs%also%play%a%vital%role%in%the%success%of%the%school’s%programs.%Students%who%par1cipate%in%the%performing%arts%at%Ferguson%have%staged%produc1ons%locally%and%na1onally%and%the%school%has%been%ranked%third%in%the%country%for%its%athle1c%programs.%!Number$of$Students:%4250%Grades:%9%P12%Mascot:%Falcon%School$colors:%Black%and%Silver%Foreign$Languages:%French,%Italian%and%Spanish%Fine$Arts:%Arts,%Band,%Choirs,%Crea1ve%Photography,%Dance,%Digital%Audio,%Film%Studies,%IB%Photography,%Jazz%and%Marching%Band.%Sports:%American%Football,%Badminton,%Baseball,%Basketball,%Bowling,%Cross%Country,%Diving,%Golf,%Soccer,%Solball,%Track%&%Field,%Tennis,%Volleyball,%Swimming%and%Wrestling,%School$website:%hip://fergusonhs.org%!

JOHN$A.$FERGUSON$SENIOR$HIGH$SCHOOL

!!!Miami%Palmeio%Senior%High%School%is%located%in%the%Village%of%Pinecrest%in%southeastern%MiamiPDadeCounty.%Palmeio%is%na1onally%recognized% senior% high% school% and% a% beacon% of% student% achievement.% The% school% offers% a% challenging% academic% program,%while%providing% s1mula1ng%coursework% for% students%of% all% academic% levels.%Over%140% faculty%members%are% con1nually%developing%and%implemen1ng%programs%to%meet%the%needs%of%the%school’s%diverse%popula1on,%currently%offering%290%curses%for%students%to%choose%from.%Palmeio%students%regularly%earn%awards%in%a%wide%range%of%areas,%from%athle1cs%to%the%fine%arts.%Addi1onally,%over%94%%of%Palmeio%graduates%are%admiied%in%a%fourPyear%or%twoPyear%college%programs.%The%school%also%provides%a%mul1tude%of%clubs%and%honor%society%courses%to%meet%its%students%body%diverse%interests.!!Number$of$Students:%3000%Grades:%9%P12%Mascot:%Panther!School$colors:%Columbia%blue%and%white.%Foreign$Languages:%French,%German,%Italian,%Japanese%and%Spanish.%Fine$Arts:%Band,%Ceramics,%Chorus,%Dance,%Drama,%Orchestra,%Pain1ng,%Photography,%Video%and%Film%Produc1on.%Sports:%Baseball.%Golf,%Golf,%Soccer%Solball,%Swimming,%Tennis,%Volleyball,%Wrestling,%and%Water%Polo%School$website:%hip://mpsh.dadeschools.net%!

MIAMI$PALMETTO$SENIOR$HIGH$SCHOOL

!!Miami%Killian%Senior%High%School% is%a%dynamic,%mul1Pcultural,%comprehensive%high%school%with%a%fullPrange%of%academic%offerings,%programs,%ac1vi1es%and% sports.%At% the% core%of%Killian’s% instruc1onal%prac1ces% is% a%belief% that% students% learn%best%when% they%are%ac1vely%involved%in%the%learning%process%and%have%a%variety%of%instruc1onal%approaches%and%coPcurricular%ac1vi1es%to%support%that%process.%The%innova1ve%iPrep%program%was%established%to%provide%students%with%a%technological%environment%and%opportuni1es%for%internships%and%community%based%projects%before%and%aler%gradua1on.%Killian%currently%boasts%27%clubs%and%honor%socie1es,%and%offers%over%35%sports%programs.%Killian%also%hosts%diverse%elec1ve%programs%such%as%Dance%Impulse,%Killian%Players%Drama,%“We%the%People”%Law%Studies,%Culinary%Arts,%Info%Technology%Academy,%Diversified%Career%Technology%and%JROTC.%!Number$of$Students:%3000%Grades:%9%P12%Mascot:%Cougar%School$colors:%Dark%Green,%and%Gold.%Foreign$Languages:%American%Sign%Language,%French%and%Spanish%Fine$Arts:%Arts,%Ac1ng,%Band,%Dance,%Drama,%Language%Arts,%and%Musical%Theater.%Sports:% American% Football,% Badminton,% Solball,% Basketball,% Baseball,% Bowling,% Cross% Country,% Golf,% Lacrosse% Soccer,% Swimming,%Tennis,%Track%&%Field,%Volleyball,%Water%Polo%and%Wrestling.%School$website:%hip://killian.dadeschools.net% !

MIAMI$KILLIAN$SENIOR$HIGH$SCHOOL

!Located% in% the% Kendall% area% of% Miami,% Miami% Sunset% Senior% High% School% embraces% its% rich% tradi1on% of% the% past% 30% years% and%con1nuously%strives%to%achieve%educa1onal%excellence%for%its%students.%Sunset%offers%a%rigorous%curriculum%including%four%Na1onal%Academy%Founda1on%(NAF)%career%themes%in%Engineering,%Finance,%Informa1on%Technology,%and%Hospitality%&%Tourism,%a%Medical%Magnet%with%strands% in%PrePMedicine,%Sports%Medicine%and%Allied%Medical%Science.%Addi1onal%careerPthemed%academics% include%Visual%&%Performing%Arts,%Early%Childhood%Educa1on,%Advanced%Global%Studies,%and%Law%&%Public%Services.%Students%are%exposed%to%a% variety% of% Science,% Technology,% Engineering,% and% Mathema1cs% (STEM)% skills% to% prepare% them% for% industries% that% are% in% high%demand%in%the%career%world.%Students%are%also%taught%by%highly%qualified%teachers%who%have%expert%knowledge%in%their%specialized%fields%related%to%their%academy%courses.%Sunset%competes% in%16%sports%at%the%varsity%and%junior%varsity% level.%The%school%has%won%FHSAA%championships%in%volleyball,%tennis,%soccer%and%bowling.!!Number$of$Students:%1900%Grades:%9%P12%Mascot:%Knight%School$colors:%Black,%Silver%and%Gold.%Foreign$Languages:%Italian%and%Spanish%Fine$Arts:%Chorus,%Dance,%Drawing,%Instrumental%and%Jazz%Ensemble,%Jazz,%Keyboard,%Marching%and%Symphonic%Band,%Pain1ng%and%Theater%Arts/Performance.!Sports:%Bowling,%American%Football,%Baseball,%Basketball,%Golf,%Soccer,%Solball%Tennis%and%Volleyball.%School$website:%hip://sunsethigh.dadeschools.net%

!!Ronald%W.%Reagan%Senior%High%School% is%a%comprehensive,% tradi1onal%high%school% located% in%the%Doral%area%of%Miami.%The%school%excels% academically% offering% students% a% range% of% academic% programs% as% well% a% wide% range% of% opportuni1es% for% elec1ve% and%extracurricular% ac1vi1es.% Ronald% Reagan% Senior% High% School% offers% a% challenging% academic% program%while% providing% s1mula1ng%coursework%for%students%regardless%of%their%academic%abili1es.%Currently,%students%choose%from%663%course%offerings%and%benefits%from%a%curriculum%that%offers%both%college%credit%and%collegePlevel%prepara1on%classes.%The%school%offers%AP% IGCSE% (Interna1onal%General%Cer1ficate%of%Secondary%Educa1on),%which%are% interna1onal%examina1ons%valid%across%the%world.%Through%these%courses,%students% are% giving%exposure% to% varied%methods%of% assessment,%with%par1cular% emphasis% on%development%of%wri1ng%and%higher%level%thinking%skills.%Most%importantly,%Reagan%offers%a%broad%and%enhanced%educa1on%that%prepares%students%to%excel%in%whatever%career%choice%they%choose%to%pursuit.%!Number$of$Students:%2100%Grades:%9%P12%Mascot:%Bison%School%colors:%Navy%Blue,%Forest%Green,%and%Gold.%Foreign$Languages:$Chinese%(Mandarin),%French%and%Spanish.%Fine$Arts:%Band,%Ceramic,%Chorus,%Dance,%Jazz%Ensemble%Orchestra,%Photography%and.%Theater.%Sports:%American%Football,%Baseball,%Basketball,%Soccer,%Solball,%Tennis%and%Volleyball.%School$website:%hip://reagandoral.dadeschools.net%

MIAMI$SUNSET$SENIOR$HIGH$SCHOOL

RONALD$W.$REGAN$SENIOR$HIGH$SCHOOL

!!!Southwest%Miami% Senior%High% School% is% a% leading% educa1onal% ins1tu1on% and% has% been% recognized% by% the%U.S.%News% and%World%Report%as%one%of% the% top%schools% in% the%na1on.%The%school% is% commiied%to%providing%challenging%educa1onal%opportuni1es% to%a%diverse%popula1on%of%learners.%Its%Business%Magnet%Program%has%been%recognized%na1onally%as%a%Magnet%School%of%Dis1nc1on%and%the% Academy% of% Finance,% has% also% been% recognized% by% the% Na1onal% Academy% Founda1on% (NAF)% as% one% of% seven% na1onwide%Dis1nguished% Academies.% Southwest% students% regularly% compete% and% earn% awards% in% regional% and% na1onal% events.% Recently,%business%students%competed% in% the%na1onal%DECA%compe11on%for%young% leaders%and%entrepreneurs%and%earned%over%$48,000% in%scholarship%funds.%Southwest%offers%a%challenging%academic%curriculum%delivered%by%a%dis1nguished%faculty.%Recently%recognized%for%having%one%of% the%highest%passing%rates% in% the%United%States%on%the%Advanced%Placement%Exams%(AP),%Southwest%prides% itself% for%offering%a%vast%curriculum%that%challenges%students%of%all%ability%levels.%!Number$of$Students:%3090%Grades:%9%P12%Mascot:%Eagles%School$colors:%Purple,%and%white.%Foreign$Languages:%French,%Italian,%Portuguese%and%Spanish.%Fine$Arts:%Arts,%Band,%Ceramics,%Dance,%Drama,%Film%&%Tv%Produc1on,%Guitar,%Photography,%Stagecral%and%Studio%Art%2D%&%3D.%Sports:% American% Football,% Badminton,% Baseball,% Bowling,% Basketball,% Cheerleading,% Cross% Country,% Soccer,% Solball,% Swimming,%Tennis,%Track%&%Field.%Volleyball%and%Wrestling.%School$website:%hip://sweagles.dadeschools.net%

SOUTHWEST$MIAMI$SENIOR$HIGH$SCHOOL

Being an Exchange Student is a wonderful thing. I have learned so many things during my exchange

year and I learned a lot about my personality. I did the Mix Program. I started my program in Orlando

and I had a wonderful time. My host family was very nice to me and I experienced the way to live with an

American family. At the beginning it was a big difference but after a while you get used to it and you

really enjoy it. They took me out a lot and I went with them to Universal Studios and Disney World about

every weekend as my host father worked for Disney. Going to school is a lot of fun too. The people from

school are all nice and very interested in you because you are unique at your school and they don't get to

meet so many foreign people. After 5 months I moved to Miami and my whole life changed again. I had

new people around me again and a new family too. But Miami is a big difference compared to Orlando

and I love both cities. I made really good friends in Miami too and I see them every weekend and we

always go to South Beach together So all in all it is a wonderful thing to be an Exchange Student and you

can see your life from a whole different way. And you are the one who can decide what kind of experience

you are going to have. You can have a good or a bad experience it's all up to you to make the best out of it.

Use the time wisely because this time has a limit and the time home will be always there for you.

Sandro$S$Germany

HIGH$SCHOOL$PROGRAM$USA

MIAMI$S$FLORIDA

ExchangeMate$USA$S$www.exchangemateusa.com$S$info@exchangemateusa.com$