ASSE Germany GmbH

What ASSE Germany GmbH does

ASSE Germany GmbH is a Cologne-based, privately-held subsidiary (GmbH) of the American nonprofit foundation ASSE International, established in 2016 to deliver international youth exchange programs to the German market. The company operates as a sales, advisory, and local-coordination arm within the broader ASSE network, which traces its history to 1938 and maintains partner offices in 30–40 countries across five continents. Its core business is placing German secondary-school students in high school exchange programs in the U.S. and Canada, supplemented by Au Pair placements (via the EurAupair brand), university scholarship facilitation (Go Campus), language travel programs in the USA/France/Spain, and internship/work-travel placements (Aspire). Programs are sold direct-to-consumer at price points ranging from €13,950 (High School Classic full year) to €26,600 (Choice Plus), with payments structured as deposits followed by staged installments.

The company's product portfolio is built on proprietary program structures developed by ASSE International and delivered through the global partner network, which provides host family placement, local school district coordination, 24/7 emergency support, and on-the-ground orientation (including a 5-day NYC workshop for Au Pairs). Service distribution combines digital channels (website with online application, scheduled Zoom info meetings, email consultation, social media presence) with physical channels (Jugendbildungsmessen trade shows in six German cities, freelance regional representatives across seven cities, and inbound phone/WhatsApp consultation). The German entity operates with approximately 14 employees and relies on a consultative inside-sales motion rather than self-service e-commerce.

ASSE Germany differentiates primarily through regulatory certifications (continuous CSIET Full Listing since 1984 and DFH membership), cumulative brand equity (~175,000 lifetime participants, ~25,000 German students placed historically), and an inclusive pricing model that bundles flights and insurance into headline program fees. Revenue mechanics are based on one-time program fees per placement, with no disclosed subscription, recurring, or enterprise contract structure. The Au Pair program is geographically restricted to German applicants only, while other programs accept applications across the full ASSE network.

Name

ASSE Germany GmbH

Legal name

ASSE Germany GmbH

Website

https://assegermany.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ASSE Germany GmbH is a Cologne-based subsidiary of U.S. nonprofit ASSE International that places German students and young adults in high school exchanges, au pair placements, university scholarships, language programs, and internships across 30+ destination countries via a consultative direct-to-consumer sales model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth International Exchange Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Paid Placement & Au Pair/Working Holiday Placement Programs (EDAIAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Au Pair Placement & Matching Services (HSAAAEAA), International Student Onboarding & Pre-Departure Orientation Services (EDAIACAG), Housing Placement Agencies & Local Letting/Relocation Services for Students (EDAIALAH), Au Pair Program Sponsorship & Compliance (Visa/Host Family Support) (HSAAAEAB), Host Family Screening, Onboarding & Training (HSAAAEAC)

Keywords

• Student exchange programs
• High school abroad
• Au pair placement
• Study abroad scholarships
• Language travel programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln (Cologne)

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. High School Exchange Programs: ASSE Germany generates revenue through program fees for high school exchange programs. The High School Classic program costs 13,950€ for a full school year, Private High School programs range from 22,900€ to 24,100€, and Choice Plus programs start at 26,600€. All programs include flights, insurance, and accommodation with host families.
2. Au Pair Program: Revenue generated through Au Pair placement services for young Germans aged 18-26 seeking to live and work with American host families. The 12-month program includes orientation workshop in NYC.
3. Go Campus University Study Program: Program facilitating German students' access to US universities with scholarship support. Self-pay portion starts at 17,000 USD per academic year or 9,000 USD per semester.
4. Language Travel Programs: Summer language programs for school students in Southern California (USA), Antibes (France), and Costa del Sol (Spain).
5. Aspire Internship Program: Work & Travel, Trainee, and Internship programs in the USA for young professionals and university graduates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ASSE Germany GmbH facilitates international youth exchange programs for German students and young adults, including high school semesters and full school years in the USA (Classic, Choice Plus, Private High School tiers), Au Pair placements with American host families via the EurAupair brand, university study abroad with scholarships through Go Campus, summer language travel in the USA/France/Spain, and internship/work-travel programs in the USA through Aspire. Programs include flights, health and liability insurance, host-family accommodation, school placement, on-the-ground local support, and 24/7 emergency contact.

Product overview

ASSE Germany GmbH operates a multi-program portfolio of international youth exchange services organized around five core offerings: High School Exchange Programs (Schüleraustausch), Au Pair Programs, Go Campus University Study Abroad, Language Travel (Sprachreisen), and Internship Programs (Praktikum). The High School programs are segmented into three tiers—Classic (standard public school placement), Choice Plus (premium location selection at public schools), and Private High School (both Classic and Preferred options for private institutions)—allowing families to customize by budget and preference. The Au Pair program, delivered through the EurAupair brand, provides 12-month childcare placements with American host families. Go Campus offers access to North American university scholarships, while language travel programs cover summer destinations in the USA, France, and Spain. The company acts as the German subsidiary of ASSE International (founded 1938), providing local support, consultation, and administrative services that integrate with the parent organization's global network of partner offices across 30+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EurAupair: Au Pair program founded in 1988, one of the first government-recognized Au Pair programs in the USA, facilitating Au Pairs from Germany and worldwide to spend a year in America.
• Aspire Worldwide
• Go Campus
• ASPIRE

Products and services

• Schüleraustausch (High School Exchange Programs) International student exchange programs placing German secondary school students in high schools abroad (primarily USA) for a school year or semester, with host-family accommodation. Available in Classic, Choice Plus, and Private High School variants; destinations include USA, Canada, and 30+ other countries.
• High School Classic (USA) Foundational high school exchange program placing German students with American host families and in public high schools across the USA for a full school year (€13,950) or half year (€13,450). Includes flights, health/accident/liability insurance, and host-family accommodation. Optional region selection (+€500) and 4-day New York Experience (€940).
• High School Choice Plus (USA) High school exchange program allowing German students to select their preferred US state and school district, with placement at public schools in premium locations including California, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington State. School year from €26,600; half year from €17,800.
• Private High School Programs (USA) Exchange programs at private American high schools offering higher academic standards, smaller class sizes, and more individualized attention. Private High School Classic from €22,900 (school year) and €15,800 (half year); Private High School Preferred with school selection from €24,100 (school year) and €16,400 (half year).
• Au Pair Program (EurAupair) 12-month Au Pair placement program enabling young German adults (aged 18-26) to live with American host families while caring for children and improving English language skills. Includes a 5-day NYC orientation workshop. Operated under the EurAupair brand, one of the first US government-recognized Au Pair programs. Only approves au pairs from Germany for placement in the USA.
• Go Campus (University Study USA) University study abroad program providing German students with access to scholarship-supported placements at North American universities. Self-pay contribution starts at approximately $17,000 USD per academic year or $9,000 USD per semester.
• Sprachreisen (Language Travel) Language travel programs for German school students including summer programs in Southern California (USA), Antibes (France), and Costa del Sol (Spain), with options for various age groups.
• Praktikum USA (Aspire) Internship, work & travel, and trainee programs in the USA for German young professionals, university students, and recent graduates. Provides international work experience and career development opportunities through the Aspire brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 175,000 total participants facilitated worldwide since 1938
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deutscher Fachverband High School e.V. (DFH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE Germany is a member organization of DFH (German Association for High School Exchange). Through this partnership, ASSE can award DFH scholarships including full scholarships for USA Classic program. DFH is a nationwide association of high school exchange organizations in Germany.
• IAPA (International Au Pair Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE/EurAupair is associated with IAPA, the International Au Pair Association, which sets standards for au pair programs globally.
• WeltweiserminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth education travel organization that lists ASSE Germany programs and hosts trade shows where ASSE participates.
• Alliance ExchangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the ASSE international network for student exchange programs.
• Wyse Travel ConfederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravel and exchange organization network partner.
• FernwehminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth exchange travel organization partner listing ASSE programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: Global education company offering language travel, study abroad, and cultural exchange programs. Larger and broader than ASSE, but overlaps with ASSE Germany's language travel and high school exchange categories.

Direct peers

• Experiment e.V. German-based non-profit exchange organization running high school exchange, scholarship programs, and youth mobility initiatives, with substantial overlap in target customers (German secondary school students) and program structure.
• AFS Intercultural Programs: Major international student exchange nonprofit offering high school exchange, host family placement, and intercultural programs across 50+ countries. Directly comparable to ASSE Germany's core High School exchange value proposition.
• Youth For Understanding (YFU): One of the largest international high-school exchange organizations globally and a direct competitor to ASSE in the German outbound student market, operating similar J-1-based US placement programs with comparable pricing structures and host-family networks.
• Cultural Care Au Pair: One of the largest US Department of State-designated Au Pair agencies, a direct competitor to ASSE Germany's EurAupair program for placing German au pairs with American host families.
• GoAuPair: US-based au pair placement agency sponsoring J-1 au pairs, directly comparable to ASSE Germany's EurAupair Au Pair placement program with overlapping host family networks.
• Partnership International: International exchange and study abroad organization offering high school, au pair, and work placement programs, comparable to ASSE Germany across multiple product lines and similar customer segments.
• Nacel International: International student exchange organization offering high school, language travel, and au pair programs, competing for the same German outbound students and operating similar host-family placement models.

Regional players

• Weltweiser: German youth education travel organization that lists and compares exchange programs including ASSE's; serves as both an indirect competitor and channel partner in the German outbound student market.
• Carl Duisberg Centren: German provider of language travel and study abroad programs, partially overlapping with ASSE Germany's Sprachreisen (language travel) product in the German outbound youth market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asse-germany-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 ASSE Germany GmbH