Finding an Opportunity

International Exchange Programs for High School Students

“Being a disabled person, the first thing that I learned is to become more independent. My host sister is also riding in a wheelchair and both of us have spina bifida, so I don’t want to depend so much on my host family. I have learned how to appreciate everything, like the love and kindness of my host family, and how to accept everything that I have now," says Carla de la Cruz, who came from the Philippines to Maryland on the Youth Exchange and Study Program.

Olya holding her catch after fishing The following programs offer opportunities for you to participate in academic, language, cultural and community service programs to the United States so you can discover experiences like Carla. Many organizations offer scholarships for participants in their programs, so be sure to ask if this is available. In particular, read about the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, Future Leaders Exchange Program and the Youth Exchange and Study Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State in the blue box below. These are just a few of the different types of U.S. Department of State sponsored exchanges, including programs for high school and college students, postgraduates and professionals.

^{Photo Caption: To help you decide which of the many programs to apply to, ask the organization if you can speak with alumni of the program about their experiences in the United States.}

Exchange Programs Publication

Advisory List
Council on Standards for International Educational Travel
212 S. Henry Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
Tel: (703) 739-9050, E-mail: mailbox@csiet.org

Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) annually produces a guide to international exchange programs for high school students, titled Advisory List. The guide lists organizations that meet CSIET’s criteria for high school programs.

The following are a sampling of the many organizations mentioned in the Advisory List. To learn of other programs, contact CSIET above or browse some of the websites listed below.

Academic Year in the USA (AYUSA)
2226 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94115 USA
Tel: (800) 727-4540 x543 or (415) 434-1212, E-mail: info@ayusa.org

Academic Year in the USA (AYUSA) provides a high school exchange program for foreign students from over 50 countries to study in the United States, and for U.S. students to study abroad. AYUSA offers academic year, semester or summer programs and homestays. AYUSA has had experience with disabled applicants, and will work with its network of community representatives to find the situation which will best match the applicant’s needs and interests.

AFS-USA
198 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10016 USA
Tel: (800) 237-4636 or (212) 299-9000, E-mail: afsinfo@afs.org

AFS Intercultural Programs offers exchanges to over 50 countries and has extensive experience accommodating participants with a range of disabilities. This program has exchanged thousands of participants since 1914. Students can participate in summer, semester or academic year programs with cultural, study, homestay and community service options.

ASPECT Foundation
530 Bush St., Suite 500A
San Francisco, California USA 94108
Tel: (800) 879-6884 or (415) 228-8050
E-mail: exchange@aspectworld.com

ASPECT is involved in the international exchange of high school students for educational and intercultural purposes. Through the sharing of language and culture firsthand, especially in a homestay arrangement, ASPECT hopes to promote international understanding, lasting friendships and cross-cultural skills. A network of regional offices and representatives all serve to support ASPECT’s exchange activities, including finding school and host family placements for students with and without disabilities.

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs
Western Office
105 Central Way, Suite 201
Kirkland, WA 98033 USA
Tel: (800) 733-2773 or (425) 803-9490, E-mail: asseusawest@asse.com

ASSE International offers educational and cultural exchanges to U.S. and foreign students who wish to live and study abroad. Programs lengths range from summer, to semester, to school year abroad and include homestay arrangements. U.S. students are provided with language instruction and tutoring in the first weeks of their program. Students with all types of disabilities are encouraged to participate in ASSE International programs.

Program of Academic Exchange
71 Arch Street
Greenwich, CT 06830 USA
Tel: (800) 555-6211, E-mail: academicexchange@pax.org

Program of Academic Exchange (PAX) provides educational and cultural exchange programs for U.S. and foreign teens to live and study abroad. Its goal is not to enroll superstars, nor extremely talented or gifted students, although such students are accepted. PAX seeks good, solid students from mixed backgrounds, representing various social and economic levels. Full scholarships are awarded to a number of deserving students each year. PAX has accepted and successfully placed students with a variety of disabilities.

Rotary International Youth Exchange
One Rotary Center
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201 USA
Tel: (847) 866-3000, E-mail: youthexchange@rotaryintl.org

Rotary International Youth Exchange programs provide short- and long-term opportunities for high school students in over 60 countries. Interested students must apply through their local Rotary Club. To find out about the nearest club or get general information on the exchange, contact the Rotary International headquarters office or visit the website. Rotary encourages participation of people with disabilities.

Youth for Understanding
6400 Goldsboro Road, Suite 100
Bethesda, MD 20817 USA
Tel: (800) 833-6243, TTY: (800) 787-8000, E-mail: admissions@yfu.org

Youth for Understanding (YFU) provides summer, semester and school year programs in 50 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and the Pacific. Homestay experiences are centeral to all YFU exchanges. YFU encourages students with disabilities to apply to its programs.

Websites

Go Abroad.Com offers a variety of websites with searchable databases of exchange programs worldwide, including a site dedicated to high school programs.

The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange online database offers a searchable database online. By typing in "high school" in the keywords, find over 80 programs for teens worldwide.

Student & Youth Travel Association has a searchable database that lists group tour operators that organize custom programs for worldwide. Search by state, type of program and age range.

U.S. Department of State Sponsored Exchanges

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)

Youth Programs Division
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
U.S. Department of State SA-44
301 4th Street SW, Room 568
Washington, DC 20547 USA

Tel: (202) 203-7507, Fax: (202)203-7529

E-mail: YouthPrograms@state.gov; pleasantnx@state.gov

CBYX Participant at the Grand Canyon Designed to strengthen ties between the younger generation of Germans and Americans, the CBYX offers scholarships in each other’s countries for high school students, young professionals and vocational students. None of the programs require prior second language skills. CBYX emphasizes equality and accessibility. Students from all racial, ethnic, economic, religious and social backgrounds are encouraged to apply, as are students with disabilities. CBYX is known in Germany as the Parlamentarisches Patenschafts-Programm (PPP). ^{Photo Caption: A CBYX participant has a chance to visit the Grand Canyon while in the United States.}

Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX)

Youth Programs Division
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
U.S. Department of State, SA-44
301 4th Street SW, Room 568
Washington, DC 20547 USA

Tel: (202) 203-7517, E-mail: PetersML@state.gov

Flex group photo.jpg The FLEX program offers the opportunity for high school students from Eurasia to study in the United States for a year, learn about democracy and experience American culture. Students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan are eligible to participate. American Councils for International Education: American Councils for International Education (ACTR)/ACCELS administers participant selection for this fully funded exchange. You will be selected based on English language ability, interpersonal skills, academic achievement and leadership potential. During the decade since the program was initiated, many students with disabilities have participated in the FLEX program. Mobility International USA also provides technical assistance and support to ensure you have successful experiences. ^{Photo Caption: You will have a chance to meet some of the other students with disabilities on the FLEX program.}

Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES)

Youth Programs Division
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
U.S. Department of State, SA-44
301 4th Street SW, Room 568
Washington, DC 20547 USA

Tel: (202) 203-7527, E-mail: BakerKM1@state.gov

YES logo YES was established in October of 2002 to provide scholarships for secondary school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the United States. The students live with host families, attend school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures. Upon their return the students apply their leadership skills at home in conducting service projects. In the 2003-04 academic year, 160 students participated from Nigeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, West Bank/Gaza, Egypt, Kuwait, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the 2004-05 year, the number of participants was 454 and the list of countries expanded to include Iraq, Morocco, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Algeria, Bangladesh, and the Israeli Arab community. For 2005-06, the number of students is 650 and the new countries include India, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

A World Awaits You - International Youth Issue

A Journal of Success in International Exchange for People with Disabilities. Mobility International USA Copyright © November 2005