Study in United States

As a U.S. Department of State Designated sponsor, Pacific Intercultural Exchange facilitates the entry of foreign nationals into the United States under its sponsorship.  Participants on the P.I.E. program obtain a J-1 exchange visitor non-immigrant visa and may enroll in the following academic homestays:

Academic Year (approximately 10 months):  Begins in August/September and concludes in May/June.

Fall Semester (approximately 5 months):  Begins in August/September and concludes in December/January

Spring Semester (approximately 5 months):  Begins in December/January and concludes in May/June

January- January (approximately 12 months):  Begins in January and concludes the following January.  This program is available generally for students from countries in the Southern Hemisphere.

Each year, more than 700 participants stay with American host families and are enrolled as full-time students in local public high schools (a private high school option is also available).  Applicants must be between the ages of 15-18.5 years of age or have not finished more than 11 years of primary and secondary study (exclusive of kindergarten). Students must also speak English well enough to attend a public high school, written and oral language proficiency tests are administered.  Applicants undergo a health examination in their home country to ensure they are fit to travel, submit letters of recommendation and transcripts, as well as other documents requested by P.I.E.

Pacific Intercultural Exchange provides the host family and school placement, orientations, and support for the international exchange students.  In considering an applicant, P.I.E. looks for students who have combined a strong academic record with involvement in hobbies, sports and other extracurricular activities.  Experience has shown that this balanced background strongly influences a student’s sense of responsibility and ability to adapt, both necessary components in a successful exchange.  P.I.E. will facilitate contact with a partner in the student’s home country who will screen, prepare, and orient the student for the exchange experience. Interested parties may request more information by completing the Exchange Student Pre-Application.