The Department of Magical Transportation has announced the first ever Wizarding School Foreign Exchange Program for students in their fourth and sixth years of study.
“It really began as the brainchild of one of my undersecretaries,” explained Percy Weasley, newly appointed head of the Department of Magical Transportation. “We noticed an influx of Hogwarts students requesting permits to travel abroad after the Second War. We believed it would be good to give students an opportunity to see life in international magical communities.”
With previous inter-school programs like the Triwizard Tournament and the Wizarding Schools Potion Championship ending in death or disaster, getting the Ministry to agree to the program was an uphill battle. Eventually, with help from Minister Shacklebolt’s office, the Department for International Magical Cooperation, and the International Confederation of Wizards, the first Wizarding School Foreign Exchange Program began.
Six schools joined the program and each will select five students to transfer to a different magical institution for the year. Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Durmstrang Institute, Salem Witches' Institute, Russia's Koldovstorez, Mahoutokoro School of Magic in Japan, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be the first participating schools.
Students will be chosen based on academic merit and school participation, although proficiency in another language is definitely helpful. The five-page application also requires three letters of recommendation.
This rigorous application, however, is not deterring interested participants. “Students are already so excited about the program,” reported Madame Maxime, Headmistress of Beauxbatons. “Naturally my students have begun applying and the program has over 40 applicants from the six schools.”
The program is currently only open to students entering their fourth or sixth year of schooling. “We wanted to be sensitive to those taking their O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s,” said Hogwarts professor Neville Longbottom. “Those tests have been standardized at most wizarding schools so it will be an easier adjustment for the students in non-essential years.”
Applications will be accepted through March 31, after which each school will select five students. More information can be found by owling the office of Percy Weasley.
Study Abroad Opportunities are Exploding for Young Witches and Wizards!