ALEXANDRIA VA – A national non-profit organization, designated by the U.S. Department of State as an exchange visitor program, is accepting applications from qualified high school students in Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties, and elsewhere, who may be interested in studying abroad.
ASSE International, formerly known as the American Scandinavian Student Exchange, said it has opportunities “to explore the world by spending an academic year, semester, or summer in Europe, Asia, North or South America, Australia, or South Africa” as part of its international student exchange program.
Students age 15-18 must qualify on the basis of academic performance, character references, “and a genuine desire to experience life abroad with a volunteer host family,” it said. Scholarships are available and are based on academic performance, leadership skills and financial need, the organization reported. Host families abroad, according to ASSE, are carefully screened.
Students do not need to know the language of the host country before their departure. They likely will acquire language skills “by experiencing the day-to-day local culture, and attending regular high school classes,” the organization added.
Host families also needed
The program also hopes to talk with “American families who are interested in hosting an international student.” They currently hail from Spain, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Thailand, Japan, and many other countries. Those young students will attend the local American high school for an academic year or semester.
Applications are being accepted through March 2024, it said. For more information on ASSE exchange student or host family programs, call ASSE toll-free at 800-733-2773 or send it an email to asseusaeast@asse.com.
ASSE said it “is dedicated to promoting closer ties of friendship between the United States and other countries” by fostering intercultural understanding.” Its Eastern regional office is located in Alexandria VA. ASSE was founded by the Swedish Ministry of Education.
Photo provided to Travels With The Post by ASSE International
Reading Hotel Opens as New Best Western SureStay