Student Exchange

The closest Disney ever got to making a John Hughes movie. And it's a fun time.

It's basically Disney's take on Just One of the Guys. Just swap the gender-bending Terri with two uncool, invisible teens who decide to impersonate and rebrand themselves as mysterious foreign exchange students at their own High School. It sounds absurd but the film works, and their bad-girl / bad-boy Euro Beauty makeovers are a 10/10.

Obscure AF and underrated. Bellissimo!

I'd tie it with Not Quite Human and Rock and Roll Mom as the best Disney made-for-Television films of the 1980's. You can check it out on youtube, I believe.

An 80's time capsule, Student Exchange is evidence that teenagers looked like they were in their late 20's. The plot is very similar to a lot of late 80's high school dramas about not fitting in or changing your identity to fit in. Disney produced this diamond as part of their magical world of Disney selection that aired on Saturday nights during the summer. The Leads both show a striking resemblance to a George McFly quality from Back to the Future. Even without the glasses, it's obvious that these two represent the Geek population at this California based high school. The concept of being lost among your peers is present. The reality of this fear is showcased as the motivation to take on a new identity is hatched. A fun story that ends with a heartfelt moral. Although the setting is the 80's, the theme is universal. Holy large computers Batman. Student Exchange has withstood the test of time and has become a classic for what it is.

I was in high school when this movie was released on the Wonderful World of Disney. I recall being really nerdy and in love with a hot girl. This is the basis of most of these types of movies. What does one do if you're trapped? I knew that life was beyond high school, but for the time being...you had to make it bearable. Which is why this movie is a perfect capture of that time of your life. Yes, it's really goofy 90's humor. But the leads play it so genuine, you forget the silly set-up. As a teen movie, it is actually pretty sophisticated, in that, it sets you up of their scheme, then takes a serious turn, only to allow it to finish...well, not your typical happy ending, but a satisfying genuine ending.

I truly liked this movie. But it isn't for everyone. We're very cynical nowadays. The kids of this generation will "get" the goofiness. And how awesome it was to watch this on a Sunday night (I believe it was originally hosted by Michael Eisner). A nice turn on the lesson of being-who-you- are.

Have you ever wondered what would you do if you could start high school over. What would happen if you were no longer the nerd , the fat girl, the jerk, or even the silent one. Well this story tells of two people who takes on someone elses identity so to gain popularity. The movie truly shows how one person could change so drastically. It is truly a movie from the 80's. Loved it.

When I was about 7 years old and this movie came on television my mother taped it and I would watch it over and over again, I loved it. I have over the years lost the tape and would love to get a copy of if anyone knows where I can find one let me know or if anyone knows if it ever comes out on video let me know. I thought that this movie was very entertaining and it helped me learn that people are not always nice and sometimes you have to do things to get where you want. I think that television was a lot better than it is today. I loved it when Disney put this movies on Sunday nights, our family gathered around to watch a nice clean movie.