STS Foundation

STS Foundation believes that intercultural student exchange promotes understanding, respect, and goodwill among people of all nations. Students, families, schools, and communities have an opportunity to learn more about another culture as they share the exchange experience.

STS Foundation is committed to facilitating a life-changing program for all participants while providing students with a safe and nurturing environment where they can learn and grow. Participants are immersed in unfamiliar cultures creating an opportunity to gain new perspectives and become more self-confident, and independent. STS Foundation empowers exchange students to become future citizen diplomats while living a meaningful intercultural experience with American host families and schools.

STS Foundation offers qualified international students a semester or school-year program in the United States with approved volunteer host families. Screened families are encouraged to participate in selecting a student from among compatible applicants. Students participate in the everyday life of their host family as family members, not as guests. Students are encouraged to immerse themselves fully in their American family and high school. Students pay for their own personal expenses, school fees, entertainment, and optional travel. Students come to the U.S. with their own health and travel insurance. Optional educational/recreational organized travel opportunities are offered to all students for an additional fee.

High School Year in the United States—International students ages 15 to 18.5 years of age travel to the United States for five to ten months. During this time, they live with a volunteer a host family, attend a local high school, and participate in extracurricular and community activities. STS Foundation’s partner organizations carefully screen and interview applicants for English proficiency, academic motivation, social and emotional maturity, flexibility, adaptability, and attitude necessary to study abroad for an academic semester or year. STS Foundation support team consists of Local Coordinators who live in the community providing support to both the host family and student from the moment a student is matched with a host family. Local Coordinators receive on-going in-person and virtual training from a Regional Director and the National office team. Local Coordinators have the knowledge and tools to fully support the student, host family, and high school through the duration of the semester or academic year program.

Study Abroad Opportunity for American High School Students – STS Foundation offers Americans between 15 and 18 years of age the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone, immerse themselves in a new culture, and gain a global perspective that extends far beyond the classroom. Becoming a high school exchange student opens doors to not only academic growth but also personal development, as our students navigate new challenges, forge lasting connections, and build a bridge between their home country and the world.