One of the primary objectives of World Link’s exchange program is to encourage our international students to interact with their American high school peers, to share their culture and learn about yours. World Link and the U.S. Department of State believe this is a key element in international exchange and our relationship with our schools is especially important. We hand-select schools to develop strong partnerships to ensure long-term benefits for your school and community. World Link strives to make the international student experience as smooth as possible and we endeavor to provide timely support for you and our student.
Goals of the FLEX and YES Programs:
- Gain an understanding of American society, people, values, culture, diversity and respect for others with differing views;
- Interact with Americans and generate enduring ties;
- Teach Americans about their home countries and cultures;
- Explore and acquire an understanding of the key elements of a civil society; and,
- Share and apply experiences and knowledge in their home countries as alumni.
Thank you to Dallas Center-Grimes High School for hosting Hiba and sharing your World Link hosting experience.
By having the opportunity to play American football, Hazem from Egypt became an integral member of the Perry High School community.
World Link works solely with U.S. Department of State-sponsored exchange programs. The U.S. Congress chooses specific countries to help advance U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic efforts to achieve mutual understanding around the world through citizen diplomacy.
World Link’s personal goal is to develop each student to become a “global citizen”, a person who can understand differing views, adapt readily to different cultures and see the benefit of learning from those cultures. We value the role our host schools play in this mission. We work diligently through our programming and local coordinators to engage with our host schools to benefit our students and the school community. World Link actively encourages every student to say, ‘yes’ to opportunities, to be open to new experiences, and bring their culture into the classroom.
World Link Students:
Earn this opportunity. The selection is based on academic and leadership potential. This process ensures students have adequate English language skills and a desire to do well in school, with the goal of maintaining a minimum of a 3.0 G.P.A.
Engage in School Activities. Within the first month of their arrival, World Link encourages our students to join a school club or sport. Participating in extra-curricular activities gives students an opportunity to try something not offered to them back home and gets them involved in the school community.
Represent Unique Countries. World Link students come from 60 countries located in Eastern Europe, Central, and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. These countries are not normally a part of privately sponsored exchange programs bringing a greater diversity of exploration to your school.
Become Cultural Ambassadors. Your American students will experience these new cultures right in their classroom. They will gain first-hand knowledge from World Link international students as they share their national food, traditional dress, and local customs. World Link supports International Education Week, a week-long event in November celebrating international exchange. During this week, World Link students are strongly encouraged to present their culture in a fun and memorable way to their peers and host community.
Serve the Local Community. Volunteerism is a major pillar of World Link’s enhancement program. Our students volunteer in their host community throughout the year. Many World Link students use these experiences and engage their American peers in organizing their own service project. These projects prepare our students to be leaders in their home countries while inspiring their peers to become more involved in serving their own community.
By accepting World Link students, you will be bringing a unique worldview to your school. It is our hope our student is not simply known as ‘that foreign exchange student’ but is well-known in the school community and builds life-long bonds with their American friends.
What our host schools say about World Link and World Link International students:
“UPHS loves working with World Link and having students placed here!”
– Helen Milliorn-Feller, Lead Teacher, University Preparatory High School, California
“We have to go with first-come, first-serve on our two exchange openings but I much, much prefer World Link over others due to their language skills and preparation for living and thriving for a year abroad.”
– Jennifer Knight, Secondary Principal, Earlham Community School District, Iowa
“The World Link foreign exchange students have been great assets to our school over the years. We love hosting them, and look forward to the new students we will meet in the future.”
– Alex Calabrese, Director of Community Programs, Atlas Preparatory, Colorado
"I think the students worked hard in the class, were willing to be involved in extracurricular activities, and positiviely contributed to the school climate."
– Scott Chapman, School Counselor, Woodward Granger High School, Iowa
"Every student we have had from World Link has been amazing. They are thoroughly prepared for the exchange year and they are taken care of very well throughout their time abroad."
– Randy Zimmerman, Executive Director and Headmaster of CIVA, Colorado
Helpful Guides
The resources below contain more detailed information about our program and program sponsors. If you are interested in welcoming a World Link student to your school, please Contact Us to get started.
World Link is an international student exchange and development organization with programs sponsored by public support.
