Finding the best exchange agencies is essential for anyone who wants to fulfill their dream of studying or even working abroad. But where to start and how to know which is the best company in this segment?
With the aim of answering your questions and helping you make a rational decision, we have prepared a complete guide with everything you need to know to do an exchange program, as well as a ranking of the 10 best agencies in Brazil. Check it out!
7 Best Exchange Agencies
Now, let’s talk about the main agencies that provide this type of service and learn a little more about each of them:
1. Beeducation
Beeducation has been in the market for 15 years and is currently considered one of the leading exchange agencies in the country. A women-led company that offers top-quality services delivering a humanized experience.
They boast: over 300 reviews on Google Reviews, a “No Rating” profile on ReclameAQUI (Brazilian consumer review website), and several certifications such as: Belta Seal of Excellence and English Quality, guaranteeing high-quality teaching and reputation.
Destinations and Programs Offered:
- Destinations: Canada, United States, England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Malta, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and many others;
- Languages: Ideal for improving a second language;
- Languages for Professions: Course focused on career development;
- +30 +40 Years: Exclusive for people over 30;
- Senior Citizens: Classes separated by age;
- Teens: For people up to 18 years old;
- University Abroad: For those who want to study abroad.
2. CI Intercâmbios
Another excellent option is the CI Intercâmbios (Central de Intercâmbio) agency, a company that has been in the market since 1988 and has more than 130 physical stores and 700 consultants spread throughout Brazil.
CI makes our ranking because, in addition to offering a huge variety of language courses and preparation courses for proficiency exams, it also offers exchange programs to more than 100 different countries.
We must also mention that CI has been elected seven times as the best exchange company in Brazil by Top Educação magazine and four times as the Best Exchange Agency by Datafolha, not to mention the seal of excellence in Franchising received from ABF.
Main Programs Offered:
- Language courses;
- Language courses for teachers;
- Boarding School and High School;
- IAESTE Internship;
- Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies Abroad;
- Immigration Consulting for Canada.
3. STB (Students Travel Bureau)
Next up is Student Travel Bureau (STB), an agency with 50 stores nationwide offering a huge variety of courses and complete exchange packages with everything you need.
Founded in 1971 and with over 50 years of experience in this market, STB has established itself as one of the best exchange agencies in the country, certified with the BELTA seal and having won various awards over the years.
Main Programs Offered:
- Vacation Programs for Teenagers;
- High School Program;
- Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Master’s Degrees;
- Professional Training with Certificates, Diplomas, and Extension Courses.
4. Experimento Intercâmbio Cultural
We can’t leave Experimento Intercâmbio Cultural off our list of the best exchange agencies. A company with 60 years in the market, it offers a wide variety of study, internship, and volunteer programs.
One of Experimento’s main differentiators is its focus on ensuring students fully integrate into the local culture of each country, promoting experiential education programs through international learning.
Main Programs Offered:
- Holiday Program for Teenagers from age 12;
- High School Program;
- Language Course (9 languages and more than 20 countries);
- Vocational Training Program;
- University Programs in countries such as: Canada, United States, England, Spain, Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany and Ireland;
- Au Pair Program for those who want to work abroad.
5. IE Intercâmbio
IE Intercâmbios ranks among the best exchange agencies in Brazil due to its excellent service and the wide variety of study programs it offers in major European cities.
Founded in 1998, IE currently has over 50 stores throughout Brazil and is certified with the BELTA seal, which guarantees the quality of its services and exchange programs in accordance with appropriate technical standards.
Main Programs Offered:
- Teen Vacation;
- High School Program;
- Language Courses (6 countries);
- Studies Abroad;
- Work Abroad;
- Au Pair Program in the USA for women aged 18-26.
6. Blue Intercâmbios
Although it’s a relatively new agency, founded in 2015, Blue Intercâmbios is a company formed by exchange students who work in partnership with the most prestigious English schools in countries such as Canada, Ireland, Malta, and England.
And don’t worry, the agency has several tools to help you when buying airline tickets, making reservations, purchasing travel insurance, buying foreign currency, and even providing support before and after your arrival.
Main Programs Offered:
- Study packages in Ireland and Malta;
- Work packages in Ireland and Malta.
7. EF — Education First
Founded in Sweden in 1965, Education First is considered one of the oldest agencies in the world. They offer a wide variety of programs designed for students and professionals who want to develop and improve a second language.
It’s important to note that Education First (EF) operates in over 100 different countries, has a physical presence in 50 destinations, and works with up to 10 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and others.
Main Programs Offered:
- Teaching 10 languages;
- High School Abroad;
- Elementary School Abroad;
- University Exchange Program;
- Holiday Exchange Program;
- Program for Adults 25+;
- Program for Adults 50+;
- Program for Companies and Governments;
- Corporate Training;
- Au Pair;
How to choose the best exchange agency?
To choose the best agency for your exchange program, you need to analyze and consider several factors. Here are the most important ones:
Level of reliability and reputation
Before choosing a company or agency for your exchange program, it’s essential that you take a few minutes today to check their reputation and ratings on sites like Google, Reclame Aqui (Brazilian consumer review site), etc.
Be sure to read comments or testimonials from people who have already used the company’s services and verify that it has all the necessary quality certifications, such as the BELTA seal that we’ve mentioned throughout this list.
Check out the services and destinations offered
The best exchange agencies are those that offer the services you need most at that moment. Therefore, research carefully and learn about all the solutions each agency offers.
At this stage, it’s necessary to analyze: which language courses are available, the destinations offered, the training programs and professional exchange programs, the duration of the experience, and everything included in each package.
Financial Planning
To have the best possible experience, you’ll need to organize your finances, accounting for all the costs of your trip, including: packages, flights, accommodation, food, tours, shopping, and potential emergencies.
Financial planning ensures that you won’t encounter any surprises during your time abroad that could jeopardize or even prematurely interrupt your dream.
What documents do I need to do an exchange program?
Check out the list of documents you need to participate in an exchange program:
- Passport: You will need a valid and up-to-date passport to travel.
- Visa: Depending on the country, you will need a student, work, or tourist visa.
- Letter of acceptance from the educational institution: In some cases, an official letter of acceptance from the educational institution where you will study during your exchange program is required.
- Proof of enrollment: Some countries and institutions may require you to present proof of enrollment.
- Proof of funds: Certain countries require proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your costs during the exchange program, including tuition, housing, food, and miscellaneous expenses.
- Health insurance: Mandatory for entry into many countries, but recommended for anyone traveling internationally.
- Vaccination certificate: Some countries require a vaccination certificate against certain diseases. Check if the destination country requires any specific vaccines.
- Additional documentation: In addition, certain countries and institutions may still request additional documents, such as language proficiency test results, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, among others.
The vast majority of exchange agencies are responsible for providing most of these documents, especially the visa, admission documents, and travel insurance. But it’s worth checking if all of this is included in your package or not.
Is it worth hiring an agency to organize your exchange program?
Absolutely, because they will choose the best course, accommodation, and institution to meet your needs, as well as take care of all the paperwork and ensure your safety throughout your stay.
Have you found the best exchange agencies in Brazil?
We hope our article has helped you find a reliable agency that offers a comprehensive exchange program so you can immerse yourself in the language and culture of the country you’re interested in.