Educatius, a global leader in international high school exchange programs, is launching Disconnect to Reconnect initiative on October 10, in recognition of World Mental Health Day. This encourages exchange students, host families, and staff to reduce screen time for one week, focusing on real-life connections and reflecting on how this shift improves well-being.
A key finding from Educatius’ Global Youth Resilience Index, which surveyed over 4,000 teens across nine countries, revealed that 42% of respondents spend 16 hours or more per week on social media. In fact, a high school exchange student spending just 2 hours a day on social media loses almost one month of their exchange year to their phone! This staggering insight drives the urgency behind Disconnect to Reconnect simple goal: help international students build healthier digital habits while studying abroad, be more present during their exchange, and foster deeper personal connections.
“Youth today are under unique pressures —social media has become a pervasive part of their lives, but it’s also contributing to stress and anxiety,” said Carla Kearns, Vice President of Communications at Educatius. “We see it in the 8,000 international students who study with Educatius each year. This challenge inspires them to reclaim their time and focus on what truly matters during their exchange experience.”
Disconnect to Reconnectencourages exchange students, host families, local coordinators and staff to reduce their time online and instead invest that time in face-to-face relationships, exploring their local communities, and reflecting on how this shift impacts their well-being.
By cutting down on screen time, participants are not only able to reconnect with the people and places around them, but also develop stronger coping skills. These are the same resilience-building skills that students will need long after their exchange program ends, as they navigate life’s challenges.
For Educatius, promoting resilience in students is a priority. “If we can encourage just a few students to make the most of their exchange by being more present, that’s a success,” added Kearns. The ability to adapt, handle stress, and build meaningful connections are critical for a successful exchange and future well-being.
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Educatius for more than 20 years, we’ve been making dreams come true for international students. From our offices all over the world, we place students in excellent high schools and cultural exchange programs, match them with a welcoming host family and provide expert support throughout their stay. Governments in Asia, Latin America and Brazil have entrusted us with hundreds of their sponsored students, and so have parents in more than 50 countries. Through our long-term partnerships with top schools in 10 countries and best-in-class student support, students unlock the world.
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