Information for U.S. High Schools

Council for Educational Travel, USA (CETUSA) is a not-for-profit international student exchange organization, U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor (J-1 visa) sponsor organization and member of Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) with a full advisory listing. You can be assured that CETUSA provides the best service to our exchange students and the schools that welcome them! Learn more about CETUSA here and the J-1 exchange visitor program here.

Why Work With Us?

  • CETUSA has 30 years of experience coordinating exchange programs.
  • We meet (or exceed) all guidelines set by the U.S. State Department for cultural exchange programs.
  • We partner with organizations around the globe to identify students with exceptional English skills, academic proficiency and maturity. All students are vetted through CETUSA’s experienced Admissions Team.
  • Each host family and school is supported directly by a trained CETUSA local coordinator who lives within 60 miles of the host family. Additional layers of support are provided through a Regional Manager, Student Support Team and 24/7 Emergency Number.

Partner With
CETUSA

CSIET Standards

The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) sets standards of excellence and evaluates U.S.-based secondary school exchange programs based on these standards, which can be reviewed here. CETUSA is a member of CSIET and has full certification for J-1 inbound programs.

CSIET’s 2024 Model School Practices and the additional resources below provide schools with detailed information on how to work with international exchange students and programs

CETUSA’s Advisory List Page

School Resources from CSIET

FAQs for Schools

CSIET Benefits of J-1 Youth Exchange Letter to Schools (4/23/2020)

Claudia (Spain, 2025-2026 program year) with her soccer coach in California

CETUSA Exchange Students

All exchange students accepted into CETUSA’s inbound high school program have met the standards below.

  • Demonstrated English proficiency via a written and spoken language exam
  • Completed 3 or more years of English language education
  • Maintained a C-average in their home country

Every exchange student is supported by a CETUSA Local Coordinator who lives within 60 miles of the student. A Student Support Specialist at CETUSA’s Main Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan is assigned to each student on program. Additional layers of support are provided through a Regional Director and 24/7 Emergency Line.

Guido (Italy, 2024-2025 program year) completed his senior year of high school in Oklahoma. He excelled in his FFA chapter competitions centering on authentic Italian cuisine and cooking methods.

Hai Yun (Taiwan, 2025-2026 program year) with classmates in Mississippi

From
CETUSA

Dear High School Administrator,

Thank you for your interest in supporting cultural exchange in your community! Year after year, survey findings and anecdotal testimonials from our students reveal that students’ U.S. high school experience ranks as one of the most enjoyable and memorable aspects of their exchange year. Exchange students are captivated by American high school sports, clubs, prom, and homecoming. Many students specifically praise U.S. schools for the compassionate support and mentorship they receive from their American teachers. If you are a current host school, or thinking about welcoming an exchange student into your school community, thank you. High school cultural exchange could not continue in the United States without school administrators and staff like you.

Cultural exchange at the high school level is a profoundly transformative experience for the exchange student and their classmates. Exchange students refine their English language skills and get to know the “true United States,” beyond what they may have seen in the movies. Their American gain first-hand exposure to a new culture and perspective and develop interpersonal and communication skills as they welcome a student from another country into their school.

If you have welcomed an exchange student at your school, or are considering welcoming an exchange student soon, we thank you! Cultural exchange in the United States is only possible with the continued participation of our schools! Please send your questions to hsp@cetusa.org, or use the form below to get in touch with us!                                                               

Testimonials

inbound HS Rebecca Emery