Student Exchange Alliance,
SPECIAL EDUCATORS LETTER

Secondary Schools and Foreign Exchange Students

SEA-USA Alliance Members are accredited with full listing from C.S.I.E.T. and in good standing with the DOS. SEA supports the Model School Policy for Educators endorsed by the NASSP, NFHS and AASA. 

“Like the waves of the ocean, the good that comes from hosting seems to go on and on forever.”
B Overton, PA

A Special Letter for Educators

Dear Educator,

I am writing to formally introduce our organization to you. SEA, STUDENT EXCHANGE ALLIANCE, is a premier family of student exchange programs. Together, SEA Member Programs work hand-in-hand in providing Academic Year Programs (AYP) – cultural and academic home stay programs for high school exchange students. Alliance student placement programs are non-profit high school exchange programs, designated by the U.S. State Department as Teenage Exchange Visitor Programs. The leadership of SEA has over 75 years experience in successfully placing thousands of exchange students in the U.S. and abroad.

Read about the many benefits to schools of hosting a foreign exchange student

CSIET 2007-2008 ADVISORY LIST

Every year since its inception, the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) has approved our member programs for listing in the CSIET Advisory List. This year is no exception.

Together, SEA member programs consist of over 500 Representatives and Regional Advisors who are trained and supervised by full-time Regional Directors/Managers. SEA headquarters is located in Tipton, IN. Our member programs maintain relationships with over 250 partner agency representatives in over 57 countries around the world. Students are provided with a local Representative, a carefully selected host family, full accident/illness insurance coverage, round-trip ticket and documentation to obtain a J-1 visa.

We are thankful for the many high schools throughout the country that have welcomed our foreign exchange students into their communities.  Exchange students bring a wealth of cultural and international enrichment to their host communities.

Exchange students serve as important resources for the school and classroom

WHEN YOUR SCHOOL HOSTS A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT, WE PROVIDE YOUR SCHOOL WITH THE FOLLOWING:

• Local supervision by a local Representative throughout the program
• Complete application on each student requesting enrollment in your school. This application includes: transcripts from the past 3 years, English teachers’ recommendation, immunization and medical records, all personal and family information
• Host family placement information for the student
• Brochures about the SEA member program
• School Administrator’s Information including conversion of international grades to U.S. grades
• Opportunities for your students to apply for Study Abroad  (providing a true “exchange” opportunity)

Our students are carefully screened and selected overseas by educators and approved associate partner professionals. Each student is personally interviewed and must meet a high standard for the SEA admissions requirement before final acceptance is made. All students are submitted to our acceptance committee for final acceptance.

Have questions? Contact us today.

THE SEA MEMBER PROGRAMS’ ADMISSION STANDARDS INCLUDE:

• Minimum overall academic record of a “C+” average
• Agree to attend and succeed academically in a U.S. high school
• Exhibit maturity, flexibility, and adaptability
• Agree to participate in the daily life of the host family, school and community
• Willingness to accept placement anywhere in the U.S.
• Ages 15-18
• Willingness to follow all program rules and regulations
• Good English language ability
• Good physical and mental health

RESPONSIBILITES OF SEA MEMBER PROGRAMS

SEA member programs use the Secondary Level of English Proficiency (SLEP) to determine a student’s English ability. Upon request, our office can provide you with more information about these tests.

SEA partner programs’ students receive a pre-departure orientation before leaving their home country and a local orientation upon arrival in the host community. A local Representative will conduct the arrival orientation; interview, screen and select qualified host families; and obtain permission from the school to enroll students. Local Representatives also counsel students and provide general assistance to the school, students, and host families for the duration of the exchange. SEA program members provide their representatives with in-depth training and support from their local, regional and national offices.

We would like to acknowledge the time and dedication school administrators, like you, spend supporting student exchange in our schools. We desire to develop and build a lasting relationship with your school so that international student exchange will continue to benefit all involved.

We hope this information provides you with a good overview of the SEA member programs.

Yours in Exchange,

Gene Lewis
SEA Founder
Student Exchange Alliance

Office of Operations 421 East Jefferson Street Tipton, IN 46072
Phone  877-562-7135         Fax  765-675-8931        Email:  gene@SEA-usa.org