IE - International Education

What IE - International Education does

IE - International Education (operating as IE Intercâmbio) is a privately held Brazilian education-exchange agency founded in 1996 and headquartered in São Paulo, serving Brazilian and Latin American students and families seeking international education, language immersion, and work-abroad placements. The company places students into programs across more than 20 destination countries spanning North America, Europe, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East, with corporate offices in São Paulo, Dubai (MetaApply LLC-FZ regional HQ), Noida India (Global Center of Excellence), Dublin, and Buenos Aires. Its 27-year operating history and Máximo Certificado de Excelência rating on Reclame Aqui establish a strong consumer-trust position in a category where purchasing decisions involve high financial commitment and visa/documentation complexity.

The product portfolio spans language courses, study-and-work programs, high school semester/year placements, higher-education recruitment (including University of York Europe Campus in Greece and GBS Malta), teen vacation packages, paid US work-experience placements, au pair caregiver programs, and US K-12 teaching placements on J-1 visas. Supporting technology consists of the ie.com.br web platform as the primary digital storefront, a proprietary 360-degree virtual-reality tour tool (Intercâmbio 360) for pre-purchase destination exploration, and a WhatsApp/CRM-driven consultative sales workflow used across the franchise network. Travel insurance is offered as a bundled add-on product.

The business model generates revenue from bundled exchange-program fees (quote-based by destination, duration, and program type), initial and recurring franchise fees from the MetaApply IE digital franchise network (entry investment of R$12,000 per franchisee), and insurance commissions. Distribution combines corporate-owned retail in Brazil, the distributed digital franchise network operating regionally across Brazil and LATAM, direct online consultation via WhatsApp and web forms, and in-country corporate offices serving as placement and student-support hubs in destination markets. The primary customer segments are individual students and families (B2C) across all program verticals, with secondary segments of regional franchise entrepreneurs and qualified teachers seeking US K-12 placement.

Name

IE - International Education

Legal name

IE Intercâmbio

Website

https://ie.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

IE - International Education (IE Intercâmbio) is a Brazilian education-exchange agency founded in 1996 that places individual students and families into language, academic, and work-abroad programs across 20+ countries, distributing through corporate retail, a digital franchise network, and in-country support offices in Dubai, India, Dublin, and Argentina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Education Exchange Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (611710), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Direct Enrollment & Third-Party University Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online-to-Offline Hybrid Language Immersion Programs (EDAIAEAK), Language School Placement Agencies & Aggregators (EDAIAEAM), Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA)

Keywords

• International education services
• Language study abroad
• Exchange program consulting
• Study and work abroad
• Education franchise network

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Exchange Program Fees: IE charges customers for bundled exchange packages including language courses, accommodation, insurance, and support services across destinations including Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, Malta, South Africa, Spain, New Zealand, and UAE. Pricing varies by program type, destination, and duration.
2. Franchise Fees (Franqueado Especialista MetaApply IE): IE earns franchise fees from its network of digital, consultative franchisees who pay an initial investment of R$12k and operate under the IE brand. Franchisees earn commissions on program sales (pre-fixed commissions, sales bonuses, cashback, and travel incentives).
3. Travel Insurance: IE offers travel insurance as a standalone product and as a bundled component of exchange packages, providing coverage for medical emergencies, baggage loss, delays, COVID-19, and recreational activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IE Intercâmbio is a Brazilian international education exchange agency that sells bundled study, work, and travel programs to destinations in 20+ countries. The portfolio includes language courses (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian), study-and-work programs with legal work permits, high school placements, university placement services, teen vacation programs, au pair, and J-1 work/teach experiences in the USA. The company operates a digital franchise network across Brazil and LATAM under the MetaApply IE brand, providing end-to-end support from school selection through visa, accommodation, insurance, and on-site assistance.

Product overview

IE - International Education (IE Intercâmbio) is a Brazilian international exchange organization operating for over 27 years with a global presence across 20+ countries. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of educational exchange programs including Language Courses (Curso de Idioma), Study and Work programs, High School placements, Higher Education university placement services, Teen Vacation programs (Férias Teen), Work Experience USA, Au Pair USA, and Teach Experience USA. The portfolio is complemented by Travel Insurance (Seguro Viagem) as an add-on service, an innovative Intercâmbio 360 VR experience feature for virtual school tours, and a MetaApply IE digital franchise business model. The company partners with institutions like University of York Europe Campus in Greece and GBS Malta for higher education programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Language Courses (Curso de Idioma) Language study abroad programs enabling students to learn English, Spanish, Italian, French, or German from basic to advanced levels in destinations including Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, Malta, and South Africa. Targets individual students seeking structured language immersion experiences.
• Study and Work (Estudar e Trabalhar) Exchange programs combining language courses with legal work permits in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, and UAE, allowing students to work part-time during studies and full-time during holidays. For individuals seeking to fund their stay abroad through part-time employment.
• High School (Ensino Médio) Secondary school exchange programs for students aged 14-18 offering semester or full-year placements in public or private schools in USA, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand with family homestay or dormitory accommodation. For teens and their families seeking full immersion secondary education abroad.
• Higher Education (Universidade) University placement services helping students enroll in undergraduate, graduate, master's, and doctoral programs abroad, with partnerships in Canada, USA, Ireland, England, Malta, UAE, and Greece (York Europe Campus). For students seeking full degree programs at international institutions.
• Teen Vacations (Férias Teen) Vacation exchange programs for teens aged 10-17 during Brazilian school holidays, including Discover Vancouver (Canada) and Explore UK programs combining English classes with cultural activities and excursions. For families seeking a first international experience for younger teens.
• Work Experience USA Paid temporary work program in the USA for university students aged 18-29, offering 2-4 month placements at ski resorts, resorts, restaurants, water parks, and hotels during November-March vacation period with J-1 visa sponsorship. For Brazilian university students seeking seasonal US work experience.
• Au Pair USA Caregiver exchange program for women aged 18-26 to live and work legally in the USA as nannies for 12-24 months, including health insurance, airfare, weekly remuneration of $195.75, and $500 study stipend. For young women seeking extended US cultural and work immersion.
• Teach Experience USA 12-month teaching program in US K-12 schools for qualified licensed teachers with at least 2 years of classroom experience, offering J-1 exchange visa sponsorship, annual remuneration of $40,000-$70,000 USD, with Placement or Self Placement modalities. For qualified Brazilian teachers seeking international teaching careers.
• Travel Insurance (Seguro Viagem) Travel insurance offering emergency medical coverage, baggage protection, trip delay/cancellation coverage, 24h Portuguese support, COVID-19 coverage, medical repatriation, and recreational activity coverage. Sold both standalone and as a bundled component of exchange packages. For exchange customers and other travelers.
• MetaApply IE Franchise (Franquia) Digital franchise model for international education specialists requiring R$12,000 initial investment with R$5,000-25,000 monthly earnings potential, operating without a traditional physical store with full training, CRM, and IE brand support. Franchisees earn through pre-fixed commissions, sales bonuses, cashback, and travel incentives. For entrepreneurial individuals (marketers, teachers, educators, tourism professionals) seeking a turnkey exchange-consulting business.
• University of York Europe Campus Program Placement Placement into UK Russell Group university's branch campus in Thessaloniki, Greece offering British-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs taught in English in Business, Law, Humanities, and Science. For Brazilian and Latin American students seeking a UK degree in a European setting.
• GBS Malta Higher Education Programs Placement Placement into Malta-based higher education institution offering MBA (5 pathways), Master of Public Health (4 specializations), and Business Management certification programs accredited by MFHEA, with Malta Get Qualified Scheme eligibility (70% tax credit on tuition). For students seeking internationally accredited European graduate degrees.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MetaApplycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetaApply is IE's core strategic partner, providing the international platform and brand architecture behind the Franqueado Especialista MetaApply IE franchise model. IE operates internationally under the MetaApply brand, with MetaApply LLC-FZ headquartered in Dubai managing global operations. The partnership enables IE to expand internationally via a digital franchise model across LATAM, the Middle East, and Asia.
• University of York (Europe Campus — Greece)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIE promotes the University of York's Europe Campus in Thessaloniki, Greece — a prestigious UK Russell Group university offering British-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs taught in English. IE serves as an authorized recruitment partner, placing Brazilian and Latin American students in these programs.
• GBS Malta (Global Banking School)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIE promotes GBS Malta higher education programs including MBA (5 pathways), Master of Public Health (4 specializations), and Business Management certification. GBS Malta is MFHEA-accredited and Malta Get Qualified Scheme-eligible (70% tax credit on tuition). IE acts as an authorized recruitment partner for GBS Malta.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Study Group: Global higher education pathway provider placing international students into university programs in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia — directly comparable to IE's higher education and university placement product line.
• Kaplan International: Global English-language school operator with pathways into higher education institutions; competes with IE's language course and university placement products, particularly for Brazilian students targeting the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
• International House: Global network of language schools with study abroad pathways and teacher training; competes with IE on language course placements and overlaps with IE's Teach Experience USA program on teacher development/career mobility.
• EF Education First: Global incumbent in international education with own language schools in many destinations, operating in Brazil as both a school operator and exchange program provider — competes with IE on language programs and degree pathway placements at greater scale and brand recognition.
• IDP Education: Global education services company placing students into English-speaking universities and operating IELTS testing; comparable to IE's higher education placement business and overlapping on study destinations (Australia, Canada, UK, US).

Direct peers

• STB Student Travel Bureau: One of the largest Brazilian exchange agencies, directly competing with IE across language courses, study & work, high school, and university placement programs for the same Brazilian consumer base. Most comparable direct competitor in the domestic market.
• CI Intercâmbio: Major Brazilian exchange agency offering language courses, high school, university, and work programs to Brazilian students across multiple destinations — overlapping nearly all of IE's core product categories and target customer segments.
• AEG - Academic Exchange Group: Specialist in international high school exchange programs with placement in US, European, and other destinations — directly comparable to IE's High School product line targeting the same Brazilian teen/family customer segment.
• Travelmate Intercâmbio: Brazilian exchange agency offering language courses, high school, and study & work programs with similar consultative sales model; a smaller but directly comparable domestic peer in IE's core market.

Regional players

• CVC Brasil: Brazilian travel and tourism giant with adjacent international education/travel offerings and consumer brand reach comparable to IE; competes for Brazilian discretionary travel-education spend though its core business is broader tourism rather than dedicated exchange programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ieintercambio
• YouTubeyoutube.com/intercambio360
• Facebookfacebook.com/IEintercambio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ieintercambio
• Instagraminstagram.com/ieintercambio
• TikToktiktok.com/@ieintercambio_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IE - International Education