international Experience-USA (iE-USA)
Cause Area
- Arts & Culture
- Children & Youth
- Community
- Education & Literacy
- International
Location
309 Division St.Suite 201Northfield, MN 55057 United StatesWebsite:
http://ie-usa.org
Organization Information
Mission Statement
International Experience is a team of dedicated people across the globe who want to promote education across international border lines, help develop learning opportunities, and encourage worldwide understanding, goodwill, and respect for human rights among all races and cultures.
Description
iE-USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational exchange organization that was founded in 2002. We are devoted to building and strenghthening relationships and understanding among the people of the world and believe that learning about other cultures, languages, and customs is the best way to eliminate fears and prejudices. We pride ourselves on providing individual care and direct support to our exchange students, host families, local schools, and iE team members, and we are certified by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET).
Visit our website to learn more!
Reviews
Would you recommend international Experience-USA (iE-USA)?
15 reviews
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(May 27, 2024)
1. IE does not sufficiently vet students’ applications to the program
2. IE local coordinators have little to no accountability. This is a direct quote from IE’s own website: “Each coordinator sets their own goals, schedule, and time investment into the program. Some coordinators spend just a few hours per week working, while others have turned the position into a full-time role.”
3. IE does not allow mental health services for their students, despite admitting students who are in need of services
4. IE’s local coordinators make misleading commitments in order to coerce host families into signing
5. IE is unable to assist host families with students
6. IE does not follow professional protocol, breaking their own rules and guidelines in order to keep students within the program
7. IE’s priority is placing students, rather than ensuring a good fit. Local coordinators make 1k per student they place.
8. Other exchange programs are simply more thorough and supportive. Go with them!
(August 11, 2022)
I am interested to serve the community
(July 12, 2022)
We were a volunteer host family for a young lady from Spain, we had an amazing year! This is a great program for singles, empty nesters (like were were) and all types of families, young and established. The local coordinator, Sharyn was great and always available if we needed anything. Our student had a great school year, was active and made friends, she blended in to our lifestyle wonderfully. Can't wait to do it again and visit our new daughter next year in her home county.
(January 10, 2018)
Lack of timely response.
(June 12, 2016)
I think that volunteering is always good for people to get a glimpse of
(March 20, 2013)
We have hosted several exchange students and have always benefitted from the experience. We have had some great kids over the years and continue our friendships with them and their families. They have enriched our lives in so many ways. And we have been able to visit them in their home countries as well. International experience provides excellent support throughout the entire process. We plan to continue hosting as long as we are able. Try it! You'll be glad you did.
(March 14, 2013)
We hosted a student from Germany for the 2009-2010 school year and it was delightful and rewarding experience for our entire family. Although he's been gone from our home for nearly three years, we are still in constant communication.....emailing, facebooking, and skyping. We have so much fun remembering all the silly things we did together, like teaching him that shouting "SHOTGUN" meant you wanted to ride in the front seat of the car. (When the kids first did this in front of him, he couldn't figure out what we were doing......were we going to shoot guns or what???) Our whole year was filled with fun experiences like these - him teaching us German customs and us teaching him American ways. I'm happy to say that we have also become very close friends with his parents, even taking several vacations together. In summary, participating in the i-E program was a life-changing experience for our entire family. I can now say I have 3 children......two in the US and one in Germany.
(February 12, 2013)
As a host family, I have worked with other organizations as well as iE. The biggest difference for me is the way it is organized. The people over seas are communicating directly with the people in the states. Instead of two separate organizations transferring the students to the host families, it is all one organization, one organization that really cares about the experience of the students and the host families.
The Local Coordinators make the biggest difference and are key in making the student's exchange year the best it can be. They are also right there to make certain that the host family is having a great experience and wants to host again.
I would only want to host with iE, and I would have no concerns about sending my teen on an exchange year with iE.
(February 12, 2013)
iE is a very hands-on organization that really goes out of their way to make sure that both host families and exchange students feel supported throughout the tenure of the exchange. They check in monthly with the students and families, organize gatherings for the students, have orientations before the students' arrivals and prior to their departures. They NEVER let host families feel like they're "on their own" when it comes to hosting an exchange students.
They work with families and students to makes sure that any issues that might come up are taken care of sensitively and diplomatically. Their students really are great kids, and I highly recommend that if you're considering hosting that you go through iE-- they're AWESOME!
(February 12, 2013)
The people who work for iE really care about the students and host families they work with. In my experience, they've been helpful and trustworthy. I would absolutely recommend!
(June 2, 2011)
I would recommend this organization to my friends because I have experienced myself how great it is. I am an exchange student and iE helped me a lot during my 10 month stay in the U.S.
They really try to give their students a really good experience and care a lot about them.
You won't regret to choose iE!
(May 23, 2011)
I am a host parent and local coordinator through this organization. It's great!! They are organized, professional, caring and thorough. I like an organization that follows the rules, not only their own, but also the federal guidelines. Their people are well trained and are REAL people, so when you call, you don't just get a recording. : )
(May 20, 2011)
International Experience is a great student exchange program because it is small and the lines between the people working for iE are short. The students who participate have to prove that they are great and they are carefully screened but I have to say that too for the host families. It is like a big family! Recommended!
(May 19, 2011)
International Experience consistently brings great exchange students to the United States. The staff works well with their host families and students and develops a real relationship with them
(January 30, 2010)
A wonderful organization with a wonderful support network for exchange students and host families. It's been a wonderful, rewarding experience.