ISE West Virginia

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ISE West Virginia

ISE is a world class organization that brings exchange students to the United States to live with loving American host families. Our goal of bringing peopl

Hosting a foreign exchange student means opening your home and your heart to a teen from another country while they attend your local public high school. ISE has many different hosting programs available. Opportunities are available for periods of 5 months, 10 months or a full 12 month program, with the most common being the 10 month academic year program. Exchange Students who participate in the

program have been carefully screened before their acceptance. Participants are selected based on their academic achievements and their extracurricular interests. Interviewers identify individuals who demonstrate a curious, optimistic view on the challenges and adventures lying before them. Accepted students are responsible, outgoing and possess an adaptable nature. ISE partners are looking for "great kids" with positive attitudes and interests which have something special to offer a Host Family during their hosting experience.

11/24/2020

While thanksgiving may be a bit different this year, there are still some fun ways to include a cultural aspect in this year’s festivities. Here are a few traditions to share!

For many international exchange students, few holidays feel more quintessentially “American” than Thanksgiving. Many Thanksgiving traditions revolve around cultural mainstays like football and comfort food, leading many international students to feel particularly excited about experiencing Thank

11/10/2020

Curious about how you can become a volunteer host family for a high school exchange student? We've laid the process out here for you to learn more. We are currently accepting applications to host next school year!

Many individuals and families interested in hosting a foreign exchange student have questions about the host family approval process. This process involves a series of checks that ensure our host family applicants meet not only the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of State but also the

06/12/2020

"Why I Continue to Host"
As she prepares to say goodbye to her student, host mom Debbie reflects back on the experience and why she continues to host year after year. ❤️🌍🌍❤️

Every year I dread this day.... and today is that day. Today we had to send Maria back home to Germany. Many people ask us why we do this year after year. How can we possibly let these teens, who become our kids, go back home after they become our family? But that is the answer right there. They become our family. Each year we add on to our family tree which brings us so much happiness, much more than just the one day a year when we have to say “see you soon”.
Our joy and happiness of having them share our lives doesn’t come from big vacations or expensive outings. It’s in the little moments that we share together every day. Nothing has proven this more than being quarantined together in one house for these past few months. There were no long car rides , no visits to extended family, nor trips to the amusement parks. Only dinner conversations, backyard games, giving the dogs their nightly treats, cooking and baking together, daily facial masks, watching tv shows and viewing marathons of Star Wars and Marvel movies. Our good times happened every day in the small moments. And I cherish each and every one of them. ❤️- Debbie, Host Mom

04/28/2020

"Special thanks host families for making our American dream come true"

There are still so many students eager to come to the USA next school year to learn about American life and share their cultures within their hosting communities. We have been blown away by all the ways our students and volunteers have been stepping up to help in the midst of our current situation, and we eagerly anticipate brighter days ahead where more lives can be enriched through the experience of exchange. ❤️🌎 ☮️ ✈️ 🙏

“Special thanks host families for making our American dream come true 🇺🇸 “

There are still so many students eager to come to the USA next school year to learn about American life and share their cultures within their hosting communities. We have been blown away by all the ways our students and volunteers have been stepping up to help in the midst of our current situation, and we eagerly anticipate brighter days ahead where more lives can be enriched through the experience of exchange. ❤️🌎 ☮️ ✈️ 🙏

04/20/2020

Read about how Luigi, from Italy, teamed up with his host family to 3D print much-needed masks to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. Instructions on how you can get involved yourself can also be found in the article!

With the spread of the Coronavirus and the COVID-19 outbreak, it can be tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel and the incredible people working to make a difference. That's where the Vest Family comes in. When Haskell and Kelly Vest signed up to host an exchange student, they could& #0

04/16/2020

"One person can make a difference and everyone should try". John F Kennedy ....Lou from France tells in this short video just how much of a difference her host family, school and community made in her life. She tells about how much she loves living in a small town and how much she loves the Great Smoky Mountains. Well worth watching!

"Thank you, Illinois...I'll never forget you!" - Lou, France 🇫🇷

Read more about Lou's experience by checking out the video below!

Lou's adventure started in August of 2019, when she left France and headed for the United States. She was nervous at first, but knew this was an amazing opportunity that she would never forget. Her destination was a small town in Illinois called Bunker Hill. She was welcomed there by the Phelps

04/15/2020

Wondering what's next for student exchange programs after COVID-19? ISE spoke with Matador Network to discuss the future of these international exchanges.

After the isolation... connection.

04/14/2020

Our thoughts are with all the students, host families, and friends in the community who had to say an early goodbye due to COVID-19. Thanks to all who studied abroad/hosted with us this season!

Imagine being on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean thousands of miles away from your family when a pandemic hits. That’s what happened to several international exchange students who were attending Seymour High School this semester. Students from at least two of those host families have gone bac...

04/08/2020

As we look ahead to brighter days, we thought we'd take a moment to consider what an exchange program is made of. Check out our latest video below to learn more!

Want to get in on the fun next school year? Apply to become a host family at smokymountains.iseusa.org today!

Let's take a look back at some of our favorite cultural exchange moments from seasons past. Want to get in on the fun? Sign up to host or study abroad at ise...

04/06/2020

Looking for ways to pass the time at home? Check out this list of fun activities host families and students can take part in while in quarantine.

During these troubling times of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more states are telling people to stay home and only go out if it is an emergency. This will help "flatten the curve" and hopefully bring an end to this sooner rather than later. With that being said, all this time at home can

Address

36 Park Avenue
Bay Shore, NY
11706

Telephone

+18557043342

Website

http://smokymountains.iseusa.org/

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