ExchangeMate International Education is an organization with more than 10 years of experience placing international students with the F-1 visa in Public and Private Day High Schools, Boarding Schools, Short-term Programs, Colleges and Homestays in the United States. We are committed to providing high-quality academic programs to international students, preparing them for success, and fostering cultural understanding.
Our caring and dedicated team members and local coordinators provide support to international students, host families and schools, in all locations where we offer the program. ExchangeMate’s support team also includes student advisors, who provide academic support to our international students during the program. In addition, all students have access to a 24/7 emergency line during the program, and one of the ExchangeMate team members is always just a phone call away to assist in any emergency situation.
ExchangeMate’s head office is located in Orlando, Florida, and we have partnered with well-established educational institutions throughout the United States to offer international students a wide range of short- and long-term program options.
ExchangeMate host families undergo a screening process that includes an in-person home visit and interview, background checks, personal references, and an extensive application. All host families receive an orientation before students arrive in order to prepare them for this experience. After students are accepted into the program, ExchangeMate will match each student with a host family, taking into consideration their lifestyle, preferences, and common interests. All students have their own private room in our program. Students may participate in after school clubs and sports in their high school and are encouraged to participate in local activities with their host families.
All ExchangeMate students are required to attend an arrival orientation in Orlando, Florida before going to their host family home. Students will stay at a hotel in Orlando for three days and two nights, where they will attend an orientation and will visit Universal Studios Florida™ & Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ theme parks. The primary purpose of the orientation is to acclimate students into the American culture, review program policies and safety procedures, discuss general host family and school rules, and prepare them to have a successful high school experience in the United States.
Academic Year Program with F-1 Visa – United States: The F-1 High School Program allows international students, ages 14 to 18, to experience high school in the United States while living with a host family or living in a school dormitory. Students attending public schools may study in the United States for a maximum of one academic year. The ExchangeMate Public High School Program allows students to select a specific city and school district, and they may choose up to three schools of preference within that district. Students attending Private Day or Boarding Schools may study in the United States for multiple years until they graduate. Many public schools and all private day and boarding schools allow international students to graduate and receive an American high school diploma, which will help them gain acceptance into an American college or university of their choice.