High School in the USA (Global Cultural Exchanges)

The team at HSUSA/Global Cultural Exchanges has over 100 years of combined experience working directly with thousands of international high school students, American Host families, and American public high schools. We provide life-changing experiences at the highest level of quality, safety, and security for all involved. 

Headquartered in Nashville, TN, HSUSA/Global Cultural Exchanges is a J-1 High School designated sponsor of the U.S. Department of State’s cultural exchange programs. HSUSA fully supports and believes in the public diplomacy opportunities these exchange programs offer our students, host families, local coordinators, and American public high schools.

We seek to provide the best service and support possible to the young people who participate in our programs while adhering to the regulations that govern these programs. Our program participants can be found living and studying all around the United States. HSUSA students are very dedicated to volunteering in their host communities.

As a proud member of the Southwestern Family of Companies, founded in 1855, our mission is to invest in purpose-driven people who are inspired to build principle-guided businesses that impact the world. We help people develop the skills and character they need to achieve their goals in life. Ultimately, we strive to positively impact the people and communities we serve worldwide. We INVEST in building people. We INSPIRE people to achieve their goals in life. We positively IMPACT the world.

Academic Year Program – United States—International students ages 15 to 18 travel to the United States, attend school for one semester or ten months and live with a U.S. host family. Students must complete an application in English, pass a language proficiency test, submit transcripts indicating above-average grades, and write an essay to their prospective host family. Students and parents are interviewed both in the country and by our American staff before acceptance. Students are encouraged to take English, U.S. history, and geography classes at their high school before departure. Upon acceptance, students are required to participate in pre-departure orientations conducted by our sending partners to prepare for their exchange experience. Students also participate in Arrival Orientations conducted by local HSUSA staff.

Our students also participate in our unique and one-of-a-kind LEAD program. LEAD is a program designed to help young people gain the skills and character they need to achieve their goals in life. The program spotlights life skills, emotional intelligence, academics, and making a difference in the community — preparing students for success both before and after graduation. An instructional booklet plus monthly coaching and Webinars featuring successful athletes & business leaders gives students extra lessons on leadership topics and life skills during their hosting year.

Host families are matched with students who would most appropriately match their family’s lifestyle and interests. Our program fees include comprehensive supervision and counseling for our students by our national, regional, and local teams, as well as participation in the monthly LEAD Program, medical/accident insurance, and airfare unless the sending partners prefer to book the travel for the students directly. Personal expenses and sending partner fees are additional.