Face the World Foundation

Face the World Foundation (FTW) is an educational exchange organization that promotes cultural sensitivity and understanding through its high school program. The Foundation is a forum for a diverse cross-cultural experience that fosters heightened awareness and interest in the global village. The exchange of culture, lifestyle, language, and ideas between the international students and the American host families and high schools inspires mutual appreciation and enduring friendships among world neighbors.

Face the World’s mission is to provide all program participants with an experience that will both enhance personal growth and establish friendships that may last a lifetime. Both here and abroad, we are all contributing to the development and education of tomorrow’s leaders.

FTW offers academic year and semester programs for high school students worldwide. Together with its international partners, FTW staff members screen student applications for academic performance, English comprehension, and emotional maturity.

Student applications are distributed to FTW’s field network, representing communities throughout the United States. FTW Community Representatives present student applications to local high schools for acceptance. They also contact potential host families in the community and conduct a personal interview and reference checks of each before approving them as a host for the program.

All students are required to attend an orientation prior to their departure to prepare them for the adjustments associated with this type of cross-cultural experience. Upon arrival from their homeland, students are supervised by their Community Representatives who are there to provide local support for program participants. Students are encouraged to get involved at school as well as in their local community.

Semester/Academic/Calendar Year Program—Foreign students ages 15 to 18 travel to the United States for five or ten months during which time they live with a volunteer host family and attend a local high school. Students are screened for academic performance, English ability, and emotional maturity. Orientation is provided prior to departure and after arrival in the United States. Students and host families are supervised and counseled by local Community Representatives. Monthly progress reports are required. Cost to participants ranges from $5,500 to $7,000, including insurance, excluding transportation and personal expenses.