AYUSA Non-Profit Seeks Local Families to Host Foreign Exchange Students for 2010-2011 School Year

SAN FRANCISCO, July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- AYUSA, a non-profit organization that provides exchange opportunities to students from around the world, is looking for American families to host international students for the 2010-2011 school year.  Students come from more than 60 countries, are fully insured, bring their own spending money, and are proficient in English.

There is no "typical" American host family and AYUSA welcomes all interested families, with or without children, from both urban and rural communities.  Host families provide three meals a day and a bedroom (either private or shared).  Each student is supported by a professionally trained community representative from AYUSA who works with the family and student for the entire program.  

"Welcoming an international high school student into your home is a transformative experience, for the student, the host family, and the community," said Sherry Carpenter, executive director of AYUSA.  "At AYUSA, we believe that by empowering and inspiring students from around the world to understand and respect global cultures, we can create a peaceful international community."

Every year, more than 28,000 international high school students ages 15 to 19 years old come to the U.S. to study as part of U.S. government-sponsored foreign exchange programs.  

AYUSA has been a member of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) for more than 25 years – since its foundation.  CSIET evaluates U.S.-based youth exchange programs so that students, families and schools can identify inbound and outbound reputable exchange organizations.

AYUSA is a 501(c)3, and an official U.S. Department of State designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor. Families interested in learning more about hosting an exchange student can visit http://www.ayusa.org or call 1-888-552-9872.

About AYUSA

AYUSA Global Youth Exchange (http://www.ayusa.org) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to promote global learning and leadership through foreign exchange, study abroad and leadership programs for high school students from the U.S. and around the world.  In addition, AYUSA administers multiple high profile grant programs funded by the U.S. Department of State.  AYUSA is part of the Intrax Cultural Exchange family of organizations devoted to fostering international understanding through cultural exchange and educational programs, with operations in more than 80 countries worldwide.

SOURCE AYUSA