International Student Conferences

What International Student Conferences does

International Student Conferences (ISC), founded in 1979 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs student-led international exchange programs between the United States and East Asian countries. Its four flagship programs are the Japan-America Student Conference (JASC, est. 1934), the Korea-America Student Conference (KASC, est. 2008), the China-America Student Conference (ChASC, est. 2020), and the U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Forum, a winter convening in Washington, D.C. Each conference is designed and executed by elected student Executive Committees who set themes, invite speakers, and run operations; ISC staff provides institutional memory, fundraising, and logistical support. The underlying service is high-touch in-person conferencing and leadership development for university students across the U.S., Japan, Korea, and China, with no proprietary technology stack — content and programmatic delivery rest entirely on human-led coordination and partner universities.

ISC's customers are effectively three groups: university students (the direct participants), partner universities and educational institutions (which supply academic credit, housing, scholarships, and recruitment channels), and institutional funders (foundations and corporate sponsors that supply grant and donation revenue). ISC does not charge participants; instead it funds operations through charitable contributions, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and an endowed fellowship. The organization reports a 6,000+ alumni network and recognition from Charity Navigator (four-star, 2025) and Candid/GuideStar (Platinum Transparency, 2025). Governance is via a Board of Directors; day-to-day operations are run by a small staff led by Executive Director Bahia Simons-Lane.

The business model is structurally a donation- and grant-funded educational nonprofit rather than a commercial venture. Revenue streams consist of individual donations and legacy/planned giving, foundation grants (Freeman Foundation, U.S.-Japan Foundation, Japan-US Friendship Commission, Korea Foundation USA, The Asia Group Foundation, Nimick Forbesway Foundation), and corporate sponsorships (Aflac, Mitsui USA Foundation, plus in-kind support from Bain & Company and Rivian). Go-to-market is community-led and referral-driven — recruitment runs through alumni networks, National Advisory Committees at partner universities (UC Berkeley, UW-Madison, Duke, Columbia, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool, among 100+), and application-based delegate selection. Pricing for participants is zero (with scholarships covering 30–50% of delegates), and the organization explicitly does not publicly disclose financial figures.

Name

International Student Conferences

Legal name

International Student Conference, Inc.

Website

https://iscdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Student Conferences (ISC) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs student-led international exchange conferences (JASC, KASC, ChASC, Trilateral Forum) for university students from the U.S., Japan, Korea, and China, funded by donations and institutional grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Exchange Programs

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic & Education Conference Organizers (THAHACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD), Inbound Exchange Hosting & Visiting Student Administration (EDAIABAK)

Keywords

• Student exchange programs
• Cultural diplomacy conferences
• International education services
• Student leadership development
• Nonprofit educational exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: ISC relies primarily on donations from individuals, alumni, and institutional supporters to fund conference operations and scholarships. The organization offers various giving options including online donations, check donations, legacy/planned giving, donor-advised fund contributions, and Combined Federal Campaign participation.
2. Institutional Grants and Sponsorships: Funding from foundations (Freeman Foundation, U.S.-Japan Foundation, Japan-US Friendship Commission, Korea Foundation USA, The Asia Group Foundation, Nimick Forbesway Foundation) and corporate sponsors (Aflac, Mitsui USA Foundation) to support conference operations, scholarships, and specific programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

International Student Conferences (ISC) is a nonprofit organization that runs student-led international exchange conferences bringing together university students from the U.S., Japan, Korea, and China. Programs (JASC, KASC, ChASC, and the U.S.–Japan–Korea Trilateral Forum) are designed, planned, and executed by elected student Executive Committees who set themes, invite speakers, and facilitate dialogue, research roundtables, and cultural exchange. ISC covers travel, housing, and meals through scholarships funded by donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsors.

Product overview

International Student Conferences (ISC) operates as a nonprofit organization running four flagship student-led international exchange programs: Japan-America Student Conference (JASC, est. 1934), Korea-America Student Conference (KASC, est. 2008), China-America Student Conference (ChASC, est. 2020), and the U.S.–Japan–Korea Trilateral Forum. These programs are designed, planned, and executed entirely by elected student Executive Committees, with ISC staff providing institutional support. The organization facilitates annual in-person and hybrid conferences where university students engage in diplomatic dialogue, research roundtables, and cultural exchange across bilateral and trilateral relationships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Japan-America Student Conference (JASC): The original flagship program, established in 1934, alternating annually between the U.S. and Japan.
• Korea-America Student Conference (KASC)
• China-America Student Conference (ChASC)
• U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Forum

Products and services

• Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) The world's oldest student-led international exchange program, founded in 1934, bringing together American and Japanese university students for annual conferences to foster mutual understanding through dialogue and cultural exchange.
• Korea-America Student Conference (KASC) A student-led exchange program launched in 2008 connecting American and Korean university students for dialogue on bilateral relations and regional cooperation, managed by elected student Executive Committees.
• China-America Student Conference (ChASC) The newest ISC program, established in 2020, facilitating dialogue between American and Chinese university students to build mutual understanding during a period of strained bilateral relations.
• U.S.–Japan–Korea Trilateral Forum An annual winter convening in Washington, D.C. bringing together student leaders and policy experts to explore trilateral cooperation and regional issues among the U.S., Japan, and Korea.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30-50% of delegates receive scholarships or financial assistance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• China International Communications Group Center for the Americas (CICG Americas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner supporting China-America Student Conference (ChASC), providing programming support and facilitating Chinese delegate participation.
• International Education Center (IEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey institutional partner providing in-kind support and programming assistance for JASC, including hosting conference sites and providing educational resources.
• The Korea SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting KASC programming through expert briefings, venue access, and facilitation of connections with policy experts.
• Korea Economic Institute of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides economic policy expertise and simulation programming for KASC, helping delegates understand U.S.-Korea trade and economic relations.
• Bain & CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides in-kind support for JASC including professional development programming and potential mentorship connections for delegates.
• RivianminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor providing in-kind contributions and programming support for JASC.
• University of California – BerkeleycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner university providing academic credit, housing, and institutional support for JASC delegates, with faculty participation on National Advisory Committee.
• University of Wisconsin – MadisoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor university partner providing academic credit, Center for East Asian Studies support, housing, and scholarship funding for JASC delegates.
• Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChinese university partner supporting ChASC through delegate recruitment, programming support, and institutional endorsement of the exchange program.
• Xi'an Jiaotong UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChinese university partner supporting ChASC through delegate participation, programming collaboration, and institutional support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Experiment in International Living (World Learning): U.S. nonprofit operating high-school and university summer abroad programs rooted in cross-cultural homestay and dialogue experiences. Comparable in mission (cross-cultural youth leadership) and nonprofit/university partnership distribution.
• Institute of International Education (IIE): Major U.S. nonprofit administering Fulbright and a broad portfolio of international academic exchange and scholarship programs. Overlaps on mission (cross-cultural student exchange) and U.S. government/foundation funding channels, but operates at much larger scale with a wider program mix.
• Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE): Large nonprofit operating study abroad, work exchange, and teacher exchange programs for U.S. university students. Competes for the same donor and student mindshare as ISC and is a benchmark for institutional-scale exchange programming.

Direct peers

• AIESEC: Global youth-led nonprofit running international student exchange programs with a similar self-governing, peer-driven model across 100+ countries. Closest direct peer in mission, youth-led structure, and university-recruitment channel.
• Cultural Vistas: Nonprofit administering international exchange and professional fellowship programs with strong U.S.–Germany and U.S.–Asia programs. Comparable in operating student/intern exchange with foundation and corporate sponsorship.
• CISV International: Global nonprofit running youth-led international peace education programs including local chapter-based conferences and exchanges. Highly comparable youth-driven, conference-based model and chapter recruitment structure.

Regional players

• Korea Foundation: Korean government-affiliated foundation funding international exchange, cultural programs, and Korean studies — including direct support of ISC's KASC. Comparable as a bilateral student exchange sponsor and network partner.
• JET Programme: Japanese government-sponsored program sending foreign (including U.S.) graduates to Japan as Assistant Language Teachers and Coordinator for International Relations. Highly relevant bilateral U.S.–Japan youth exchange channel and donor-adjacent funder of related programs like JASC.

Emerging players

• American-Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF): Nonprofit administering the U.S.–Indonesia bilateral Fulbright and related exchange programs, including student-led components. Comparable bilateral student exchange format, though focused on the U.S.–Indonesia relationship.

Others

• Freeman Foundation: Major U.S. foundation funding East Asia-focused student exchange and study abroad programs. Functions both as a direct funder to ISC and as a market participant in the same funding pool that supports ISC's competitors and peer programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Student Conferences