Our Global Community
When you host an exchange student with American Councils, you’ll join our worldwide community that spans all 50 states and 50+ countries around the world!
Our global community is made up of our students, partners, and volunteers who connect our programs in the US and abroad.
Our Sponsors
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS (ECA)
Our students are participants in the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs, which are sponsored by the US Department of State.
ECA is committed to increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges that support the development of peaceful relations. High school exchanges focus on leadership development, civic engagement, and broadening cultural awareness.
MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION
Students on the UUTI program (meaning “Awake” in the Gilbertese language) come from the country of Kiribati as part of the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Kiribati Threshold Program.
The MCC-Kiribati Threshold Program is a partnership between the US Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of Kiribati. The funds are provided by the American people and seek to enhance economic opportunities for the people of Kiribati. American Councils for International Education serves as the Implementing Partner for the UUTI Activity in cooperation with the Kiribati Ministry of Education.
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.
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
Interested in joining our global community?
American Councils is committed to creating safe, valuable exchange experiences for all participants.
On the basis of materials submitted and reviewed, the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel grants full J-1 Inbound certification to American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS in the 2024-25 Advisory List. The CSIET certification mark certifies that this organization complies with the standards set forth in the CSIET Standards for International Educational Travel Programs.