"Exchange" programs for minor U.S. citizens raised overseas?

[SJinCA 34]

Hello all, seeking some help for a friend of mine who is in a rather particular situation. She is a foreign national, but her son is a U.S. citizen through her prior relationship with a USC. As I understand it, the relationship ended very acrimoniously when son was an infant, and the father has some serious issues, so son and dad have never been close. Mom and son have both visited the U.S. together, but son has lived his entire life with mom in her home country. 

 

Son is 16 now and mom wants him to do his final year of high school in the U.S. to prepare for college. However, she wouldn't be able to accompany him for multiple reasons -- wouldn't be able to work, couldn't afford to take an entire year off work, what kind of visa would let her stay for an entire year, etc. She's still in touch with dad's parents but worries about son being too close to dad if he goes to live with grandparents. Traditional exchange programs are out of the question because U.S. citizens, judging from my research, are generally ineligible for U.S.-bound programs. 

 

Has anyone ever heard of exchange programs for kids in this situation -- U.S. citizen children born and raised abroad by foreign national parent? I know it's a rather particular situation, but I'm sure there's a non-trivial number of people who fall into this category. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[nastra30 2,435]

23 hours ago, SJinCA said:

Hello all, seeking some help for a friend of mine who is in a rather particular situation. She is a foreign national, but her son is a U.S. citizen through her prior relationship with a USC. As I understand it, the relationship ended very acrimoniously when son was an infant, and the father has some serious issues, so son and dad have never been close. Mom and son have both visited the U.S. together, but son has lived his entire life with mom in her home country. 

 

Son is 16 now and mom wants him to do his final year of high school in the U.S. to prepare for college. However, she wouldn't be able to accompany him for multiple reasons -- wouldn't be able to work, couldn't afford to take an entire year off work, what kind of visa would let her stay for an entire year, etc. She's still in touch with dad's parents but worries about son being too close to dad if he goes to live with grandparents. Traditional exchange programs are out of the question because U.S. citizens, judging from my research, are generally ineligible for U.S.-bound programs. 

 

Has anyone ever heard of exchange programs for kids in this situation -- U.S. citizen children born and raised abroad by foreign national parent? I know it's a rather particular situation, but I'm sure there's a non-trivial number of people who fall into this category. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

US citizens don't need visa to enter the US for anything so no such visa exists. Son should just enter with US passport and enroll in the final year of high school. Free in public school.

Edited February 15 by nastra30

[SJinCA 34]

On 2/15/2025 at 10:26 AM, nastra30 said:

US citizens don't need visa to enter the US for anything so no such visa exists. Son should just enter with US passport and enroll in the final year of high school. Free in public school.

I understand that it's no issue for her son to enter the U.S. and enroll in public school, the issue is that he can't practically do so on his own as an unaccompanied minor, and there's no practical way for his mother to accompany him. The issue she's trying to figure out is how to get him support so she wouldn't just send her minor son to live for a year on his own in what is, effectively, a foreign country to him. 

[nastra30 2,435]

4 hours ago, SJinCA said:

I understand that it's no issue for her son to enter the U.S. and enroll in public school, the issue is that he can't practically do so on his own as an unaccompanied minor, and there's no practical way for his mother to accompany him. The issue she's trying to figure out is how to get him support so she wouldn't just send her minor son to live for a year on his own in what is, effectively, a foreign country to him. 

Somethings I can think off.

-Somehow, has to make it work with staying at grandparents

-Maybe find another family that will be willing to host

-Boarding school could also be an option. Might not be cheap.

-Regards to flying I think lots of airlines will allow 16 year olds to fly unaccompanied

[mam521 2,263]

On 2/22/2025 at 9:24 AM, SJinCA said:

I understand that it's no issue for her son to enter the U.S. and enroll in public school, the issue is that he can't practically do so on his own as an unaccompanied minor, and there's no practical way for his mother to accompany him. The issue she's trying to figure out is how to get him support so she wouldn't just send her minor son to live for a year on his own in what is, effectively, a foreign country to him. 

So what is her plan, outside of an exchange, for him, regardless?  What is her plan for a custodial decision maker, for accommodation, for health insurance, for extra curricular activities and associated fees, etc?  Only some of those items are managed with an exchange, but not all.  If all of those items are to be managed, a private school which includes lodging is more likely what she's looking for. 

[Dashinka 24,930]

I was think private school with lodgings as well.

[TBoneTX 46,317]

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