What We Do

Real Stories

"Chico and the students that followed caused our hometown to become more interesting to me as I gave tours, explaining its history and pointing out various landmarks. The Ohio River suddenly looks beautiful."

Rosemary
Kentucky

In 1961, Congress adopted the Fulbright-Hays Act, also known as the Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act. Designed to increase understanding between the United States and other countries through person-to-person interaction, it opened the door for high school student exchange. Since then, exchange programs have become a vital part of America’s public diplomacy.

The United States remains the leading destination for international students wishing to study abroad. In fact, interest in an American high school year has increased substantially in the last five years. Young people around the world know that the only way to get to know the real America is to see it for themselves. By getting involved with EF Foundation, you give them the opportunity to do just that!

How Does High School Student Exchange Work?

One word sums up the success of EF Foundation’s high school student exchange program in the United States: volunteers. When families, communities and schools agree to host international visitors, student exchange flourishes.

As an Exchange Program Sponsor, EF Foundation takes care of all of the logistical aspects of the students’ experience: selecting and preparing qualified students, booking flights, proofing insurance coverage, and facilitating the student visa process.

It’s our Regional and International Exchange Coordinators, however, who make exchange happen in their communities. They find qualified host families in their regions and secure enrollments for our students in local high schools. Thanks to their hard work, our exchange students have families and schools eager to welcome them when they arrive.

Once students arrive, EF Foundation works with its local counterparts to make sure everyone involved in the exchange has a successful year using our unique network of support. When students return from their exchange experiences with a new perspective on the world—and host families have scrapbooks filled with precious memories—the work of student exchange has been accomplished!

Why is High School Student Exchange Important?

While sharing your America is fun and rewarding in its own right, student exchange is about more than just ‘right now.’ It is a vital part of public diplomacy, as personal connections formed in adolescence make exchange students ambassadors for America throughout their lives. Not only do students spread the good word about America abroad, they often remain friends for life!