Our headquarters is located in Washington DC, a hub for the international world. It is often the first stop in a new country for our more than 5,000 yearly exchange students. It is often the last stop in a familiar place for the 1,600 American participants who go on overseas programs each year. Over the years, our host families in all 50 states, have helped future CEOs with their homework, introduced ambassadors to America’s favorite pastime, and have shared their homes with visitors who became family. We are proud to help make those connections, in America and abroad.

Our work in East Asia and the Pacific includes intensive language study for students of all ages, hands-on professional training, teacher exchanges, and more. The region has a huge impact on the world’s economic growth and our participants who have lived and learned there are ready to contribute.

Our organization was founded in 1974 as an exchange program between scholars from the United States and the former Soviet Union. We’ve evolved a lot since then. So has that part of the world. What’s remained the same is our determination to offer excellent educational opportunities and exchanges for the scholars, professionals, and language learners who are helping to shape the world. 

Our organization was founded in 1974 as an exchange program between scholars from the United States and the former Soviet Union. We’ve evolved a lot since then. So has that part of the world. What’s remained the same is our determination to offer excellent educational opportunities and exchanges for the scholars, professionals, and language learners who are helping to shape the world.