Our Organization

AMERICAN COUNCILS GLOBAL STAFF

The International Student Support Team is a part of American Councils for International Education, an organization that has been a leader in international education since 1974 and is committed to empowering individuals and institutions to address challenges in a diverse and interconnected world. Within American Councils, the International Student Support Team is responsible for students’ safety and well-being while in the US. In addition, we supervise a network of Local Coordinators, who support students and families in communities throughout the country.

Learn more: About - News and Stories - Programs

Our Community

LOCAL COORDINATORS (LCs)

We love our Local Coordinators! LCs support students and host families throughout the exchange experience. Prior to student arrival, LCs guide host families through the application process, assist in making student-family matches, and secure school enrollment for the student. During the exchange year, they serve as a link between the host family, local community, and American Councils. Every LC lives within 120 miles of the students and host families they support.

Learn more: LC Corner

HOST FAMILIES

Volunteer host families are the backbone of our organization! Each scholarship exchange student lives with a host family for their duration of their time in the US, so our programs would not be possible without them! By opening up their homes and inviting a scholarship exchange student to explore their corner of America, host families build connections that span continents and last a lifetime! Our host families are supported by our team of Local Coordinators and our staff in Washington, DC.

Learn more: New Families - FAQs - Apply Now

STUDENTS AND ALUMNI

Each year, our department supports scholarship exchange students from 50+ countries across the globe. To date, over 40,000 students have participated in the FLEX and YES programs, and collectively, they have volunteered over 1,000,000 hours in their US communities! After their exchange year, students are eligible to join alumni networks, and alumni themselves are great resources, guides, and friends to students during and after their programs.

Learn more: FLEX - YES

SCHOOLS

American Councils works with public and private high schools across the US. Our students commit to maintaining a high grade point average, joining a service leadership club, and participating actively in academic and extracurricular activities on campus. Our programs are not possible without schools who enroll merit-based exchange students! If you are a teacher, parent, or administrator who would like more information about enrolling an exchange student, please reach out.

Learn more: For Educators