High School in the USA (Global Cultural Exchanges)

HIGH SCHOOL in the USA/GLOBAL CULTURAL EXCHANGES & GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL CONCEPTS have over 100 years of combined experience working directly with thousands of international students.

Located in Nashville, TN, our parent company Global Educational Concepts, Inc. (GEC) runs High School in the USA/ Global Cultural Exchanges as a designated sponsor of the U.S. Department of State’s cultural exchange programs. GEC fully supports and believes in the public diplomacy opportunities these exchange programs offer our participants, host families, and Local Coordinators.

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, working, and training all across the U.S.

​We INVEST in building people. We INSPIRE people to achieve their goals in life. We positively IMPACT the world.

​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.

 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 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 attend both online orientations and live training. 

Our students will also participate in our LE∆D program.  LE∆D 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.  The cost to participants is $8995-$13,995 including transportation, insurance, and the LE∆D program. Personal expenses are extra.

*High School in the USA also serves in other countries such as Estonia, Macedonia, Philippines, Turkey, Armenia, and China.