As lockdowns were enacted, and national borders closed due to COVID-19, exchange students were faced with a daunting task: getting home. There have been countless stories of host families and field staff members going above and beyond to make sure the exchange students were safe. In San Francisco, host father…
With the spread of the Coronavirus and the COVID-19 outbreak, it can be tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel and the incredible people working to make a difference. That’s where the Vest Family comes in. When Haskell and Kelly Vest signed up to host an…
During these troubling times of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more states are telling people to stay home and only go out if it is an emergency. This will help “flatten the curve” and hopefully bring an end to this sooner rather than later. With that being said, all this…
It’s a very emotional time for many of our program participants around the world. Given the current Coronavirus pandemic, many students, host families, and friends are having to say goodbye much sooner than expected. While ISE hasn’t mandated any students to return home, many have decided that it would be…
Dear Student, The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create new challenges for students, schools, communities, governments, and organizations of all kinds across the globe. International education and travel is no exception. Our student’s safety and well-being is ISE’s top priority and we are following along closely with the recommendations issued…
Dear Host Family, The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create new challenges for families, schools, communities, governments, and organizations of all kinds across the globe. International education and travel is no exception. We recognize the challenges that our host families are facing as caregivers for ISE students, and we continue to…
Update 3/16/20: International Student Exchange has been monitoring the situation regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19 closely, and the recommendations given by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of State and other government officials across the globe. At this time, International Student Exchange is officially asking all students to return home. Given…
Is it a recommendation or an order for students to go home? It is a recommendation for the students to go home. In light of school closures and the increasing difficulty with air travel, ISE is recommending students to return home to avoid any future difficulties. What if a student…
Due to the current concerns surrounding the spread of the Coronavirus here in the United States, we wanted to outline some important information. Please also be assured that we are monitoring the situation as an organization and are prepared to support you as necessary. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory…
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…