Columbus International Program Competitors

ICES is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a peaceful world by increasing international awareness and understanding through cultural sharing experiences. As the global community we live in becomes increasingly interdependent and subject to change, today's young people will face numerous challenges on the journey to becoming tomorrow's leaders. We believe the foreign student exchange experience helps young people of all nationalities embrace those challenges and discover new opportunities that will help them dream and achieve more than they ever thought possible. ICES offers young people the adventure of a lifetime - the opportunity to discover themselves by discovering others. Through the process of learning new languages and exploring other countries and cultures, ICES students develop a lifelong love of learning and the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in and contribute to a society marked by increased diversity. The Host Families and local Area Representatives who facilitate the exchange experience benefit as well. By gaining a new son or daughter, Host Families participate in the evolving process of promoting peace through mutual respect and understanding. Area Representatives become community leaders and local ambassadors by promoting international awareness and expanding the perspectives of those around them.

High School Student Exchange Program is one of the most trusted international organizations dedicated to education through student exchange and fostering cultural enrichment and intercultural understanding through youth exchange programs. Founded in 1980 as Spanish Heritage and focusing mainly on the Hispanic culture, World Heritage has since expanded its program to embrace many other nationalities. From a universal perspective, World Heritage is contributing to global harmony by promoting closer ties of friendship between the participating countries. World Heritage, affiliated with and operated under the sponsorship of ASSE International, is granted full listing by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel and is a member of the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange. Become an Exchange Student A year away can’t be measured in days alone. You’ll only be gone for a school year but the experience will enrich the rest of your life. Living in another country for a school year is something most people never have the opportunity to do. You’ll return with new knowledge, cultural understanding, maturity and lifelong friends from your host country. The hardest part will be leaving your ASSE host family. They will have shared in your adventure and learned from you as will you have from them. Host an Exchange Student By opening up your heart and your home, you will be giving an exceptional young person the opportunity of a lifetime — to live with your family and experience firsthand the language, customs and culture of our country. There is no greater opportunity for bright, inquisitive teenagers eager to expand their knowledge and their worlds. Become an Area Representative As a World Heritage Area Representative you will be the most important link in the chain connecting all the individuals involved in the World Heritage exchange experience. You will be the most visible to the exchange students, host families and high schools.

The mission of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) is to evaluate and certify long-term international student exchange programs at the secondary level. CSIET accredits only those programs that demonstrate: Commitment to CSIET’s Standards of Excellence; Engagement in the development and sharing of Community Preferred Practices; and Advancement of the educational value of international student exchange. CSIET’s purpose is to cultivate excellence, to facilitate a spirit of cooperation and support, and to help ensure safety and value for international exchange students, secondary schools and natural parents.