Rose Hawkins, Regional Director at International Student Exchange (ISE), has been working in the student exchange industry for over 20 years. In addition to being a Regional Director with ISE, Rose has been a host family for numerous exchange students from around the world over the past 13 years. We…
“They come from around the world and they all share a common desire: Soak up as much of the American experience as possible. Then, they return home and they become ambassadors of sorts, maintaining lifelong connections to a country that they admire and people that they come to love. In…
When it comes to educating the leaders of tomorrow, reinforcing the value of service and volunteerism is incredibly important. For our high school exchange students, volunteering is not simply about checking off a program requirement. It’s about personal development, giving back to the hosting community, and building meaningful and lasting…
Since their inception in 1961, J-1 Cultural Exchange Programs have relied on a special breed of passionate individuals who believe that they can make a difference by positively impacting the lives of young people from around the world. As one of the largest and longest-running sponsors of J-1 exchange, International…
In a time when cross-cultural experiences are more important than ever, working in the high school cultural exchange sphere is an incredibly rewarding, yet sometimes challenging, endeavor. When considering which exchange organization to work with, you should not only consider the mission but also the tools, training, and support that’ll…
How do we prepare the next generation for the global challenges of tomorrow? International student exchange programs might be the key. Anyone who has ever spent more than a few weeks abroad will tell you that adjusting to a new culture is not easy. Intentionally placing yourself in an unfamiliar…
The Fry Family opened their home to an exchange student from the Czech Republic back in 2015. You can watch Jacklynn explain their thought process, their reservations and the amazing experiences they had once their student arrived. Deciding To Host an Exchange Student The Fry Family went back and forth…
Benedetta Villano, an exchange student from Italy, was able to graduate high school in Italy and in America. Read some of her amazing story below, or read the full article here. Benedetta “Benni” Villano is a 17-year-old exchange student from Italy that was placed with a host family in Yuma,…
Irene Huguet is a Spanish exchange student attending high school in Wantagh, New York. Irene arrived to New York this past summer and has been loving every moment she has been here. She is a high honors student, as well as the starting center for the girls basketball team. Irene…
If there was just one story that truly encapsulates why ISE believes in giving back, it would be the story of Amanda*. For years, Amanda lived a life typical of other youngsters in her Kentucky town — playing outside, riding bikes in her neighborhood, and meeting new friends at school….