What International Student Exchange does

International Student Exchange (ISE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered in Bay Shore, New York. Designated by the U.S. Department of State as a sponsor of the J-1 Secondary School Student Visa program, ISE places international high school students aged 15-18 from over 90 countries with volunteer American host families across all 50 states for academic year, semester, and calendar year programs of 5-12 months duration. The organization has placed more than 30,000 exchange students cumulatively and currently places over 2,500 students annually. ISE also operates an outbound study abroad program sending American high school students to 14+ countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom) on academic year, semester, summer, or gap year schedules.

ISE's operating model relies on a distributed field network comprising more than 45 regional offices and Area Representatives — independent contractors paid per placement and supervision milestone — who recruit host families, manage school relationships, and supervise exchanges in every U.S. state. The organization maintains partnerships with 7,800+ U.S. high schools and 29,000+ host families, alongside vetted international exchange agencies in 90+ countries that recruit inbound students. Secondary initiatives include the Project HELP community service requirement, the ISE Student Ambassador Scholarship (up to $1,000 tied to blog/video content creation), the specialized IFF Oregon residential program placing students near federal lands with dorm-style accommodations, and referrals to third-party convalidation services for students from countries like Spain and Brazil that require academic credit recognition. Auxiliary partnerships include MPD Tours for student excursions and Cross Nation Validation for grade convalidation paperwork.

ISE's revenue model is based on per-student program fees charged to inbound international students (collected via international partner agencies) and outbound American students, supplemented by referral incentives ($300 per successful host family referral, $100 per successful Area Representative hire). Volunteer host families receive no payment but are eligible for tax deductions on hosting expenses. The organization holds full CSIET listing with active 2025-2026 certification and operates as an independent, self-governing nonprofit with no parent company, no disclosed funding rounds, and no active M&A activity. Technology infrastructure is minimal: ISE runs a staff and host family portal at ise.exlink.us for program management but operates no proprietary AI/ML systems, no public API, and no native mobile applications; competitive advantage rests on regulatory designation and ecosystem scale rather than technology.

Name

International Student Exchange

Legal name

International Student Exchange

Website

https://iseusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

International Student Exchange (ISE) is a U.S. State Department-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit J-1 visa sponsor placing international high school students from 90+ countries with American volunteer host families across all 50 states and operating outbound study abroad programs in 14+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Cultural Exchange Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Secondary School Exchange Programs (Academic Year/Semester) (EDAIAHAB)

Keywords

• High school exchange
• Cultural exchange programs
• Study abroad programs
• J-1 visa sponsorship
• Host family programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bay Shore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Inbound Exchange Program Fees: ISE charges fees to international students participating in the J-1 visa high school exchange program in the USA. Students are sponsored by ISE and placed with American host families for academic year or semester programs.
2. Outbound Study Abroad Program Fees: ISE charges program fees to American high school students participating in study abroad programs. These programs include academic year, semester, summer, and gap year options in various countries worldwide. The organization offers competitive pricing, scholarships, and fundraising support.
3. Area Representative Payments: Area Representatives are independent contractors paid per successful student placement and at key supervision checkpoints throughout programs. This represents a cost structure rather than revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

International Student Exchange (ISE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, designated by the U.S. Department of State, that sponsors J-1 visa high school cultural exchange programs. It places international high school students with screened volunteer host families across the United States for semester or academic-year stays and runs outbound Travel & Study Abroad programs for American high school students. Operations are delivered through a nationwide network of independent Area Representatives and international partner agencies in 90+ countries.

Product overview

International Student Exchange (ISE) operates as a nonprofit cultural exchange organization offering two primary program types: inbound J-1 high school exchange programs bringing international students to the United States, and outbound study abroad programs for American students traveling abroad. The organization connects exchange students with a network of volunteer host families across all 50 states, facilitated by Area Representatives who recruit families and coordinate with local high schools. Supporting services include the Project HELP community service initiative, the ISE Student Ambassador Scholarship, academic convalidation assistance, and the specialized IFF Oregon residential program. ISE's programs operate under U.S. Department of State designation and CSIET certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project HELP: ISE's community service initiative that provides exchange students with opportunities to give back to their hosting communities through volunteering.
• ISE Gives Back
• IFF (IFF Oregon)
• Celebration of Success

Products and services

• J-1 Inbound High School Exchange Program Designated by the U.S. Department of State, ISE's flagship program places international high school students (typically ages 15-18) with screened volunteer American host families for a semester or full academic year. Students attend a U.S. high school and are supported by local Area Representatives and a 24/7 emergency line. Program fees are paid by the student/parent; host families volunteer.
• Travel & Study Abroad Programs (Outbound)

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000+ exchange students served since 1982
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Exchange Agencies (90+ Countries)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISE partners with trusted, long-standing international exchange agencies in over 90 countries to recruit students for J-1 visa programs. These partnerships enable ISE to reach high school students worldwide and connect them with American host families. ISE provides constant communication to partner agencies so students' natural families can remain informed throughout programs.
• MPD ToursminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISE partners with MPD Tours to offer exchange students optional excursions and student tours to enhance their American experience beyond the core homestay and school program.
• Cross Nation ValidationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCross Nation Validation is a third-party convalidation service that ISE recommends to students from countries requiring grade convalidation. This service helps students obtain notarized transcripts and supporting letters to receive academic credit in their home countries.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AFS Intercultural Programs: AFS is one of the largest international high school exchange nonprofits globally, sponsoring J-1 inbound exchange students and outbound programs in 50+ countries — directly comparable to ISE in mission, J-1 sponsorship, host-family model, and target customers.
• Greenheart Exchange (formerly AYUSA): Greenheart Exchange is a CSIET-listed J-1 secondary school sponsor placing international high school students with volunteer American host families — near-identical operating model, regulatory status, and customer base to ISE.
• Aspect Foundation: Aspect Foundation is a nonprofit J-1 secondary school visa sponsor running inbound FLEX and YES programs and outbound student exchange — directly comparable to ISE in product type, sponsor designation, and host-family recruitment model.
• Nacel Open Door: Nacel Open Door is a CSIET-listed nonprofit sponsoring F-1 and J-1 secondary school exchange and placing international students with U.S. host families — directly comparable product/market overlap with ISE.
• Program of Academic Exchange (PAX): PAX is a nonprofit J-1 secondary school exchange sponsor operating in all 50 states with area representatives and U.S. host families — directly comparable to ISE's sponsor designation, volunteer host model, and area-rep distribution.
• Cultural Homestay International (CHI): CHI is a nonprofit sponsoring J-1 secondary school and short-term inbound exchange programs using a volunteer host-family model — overlap with ISE on customer segment (international teens and U.S. families) and product type.
• STS Foundation (Student Travel Schools): STS runs CSIET-listed J-1 inbound exchange and outbound study programs, recruiting high school students and matching with American host families — comparable to ISE's product mix on both sides of the exchange.
• ASSE International (now Forte International): ASSE/Forte is a CSIET-listed nonprofit sponsoring J-1 secondary and J-1 short-term inbound exchange with host-family placements — direct competitor to ISE in inbound teen exchange.

Broad incumbents

• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is a much larger, established nonprofit operating J-1 high school programs plus a broad portfolio of college study-abroad, work-travel, and teacher exchange programs — overlaps with ISE's inbound/outbound exchange but at far greater scale and scope.
• Experiment in International Living (part of World Learning): Experiment in International Living is a long-running nonprofit offering high school summer homestay and semester exchange programs — serves the same cross-cultural teen audience as ISE with a broader institutional parent (World Learning / SIT).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ise_usa
• Facebookfacebook.com/iseusa
• Instagraminstagram.com/ise_usa
• Pinterestpinterest.com/iseusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ise-student-exchange

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 International Student Exchange