American Cultural Exchange Service

ACES is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995, whose mission is to provide high-quality international educational and cultural exchange experiences to individuals from the United States and foreign countries in order to promote world peace. ACES believes that world peace can be realized through international friendships and global understanding that result from personal interaction provided by exchange experiences.

ACES maintains a network of dedicated and trained local coordinators in communities throughout the United States who provide program services at the local level to participants, host families, and schools. Local coordinators and the national office are committed to providing the best possible exchange experience to participants, host families, and schools.

U.S. High School/Homestay Program—Students ages 15 to 18 ½ spend one semester or one academic year in the United States living with a volunteer host family, attending high school, and participating in extracurricular and community activities. Because ACES believes that an important part of the cross-cultural exchange experience is giving of time and service to the host school and community, ACES students do a Volunteer Project while on the program. Students are carefully selected for maturity and flexibility and are tested to ensure English language proficiency. Orientation is provided before departure from the student’s home country and after arrival in the hosting community. Cost to participants ranges from $4995 to $6300, including insurance. International transportation, personal spending money, and fees charged by sending partners are additional.