EF Foundation for Foreign Study New England

What is EF Foundation for Foreign Study? EF Foundation for Foreign Study, a nonprofit committed to promoting global awareness for over 30 years, is the leader in high school exchange, bringing more international students to the United States than any other program of its kind.

Our mission is to promote international understanding and global awareness across the United States, and to do so with the highest levels of program quality and participant support in the exchange community.

How many students does EF Foundation place each year? EF Foundation places approximately 3,000 students each year. We bring more students to the United States than any other high school exchange program. Since 1979, we have matched over 100,000 enthusiastic students from around the world with caring host families across the United States. All of our students are screened to ensure that they are well-prepared for their exchange experience.

Where do these students come from? Since 1979, EF Foundation has placed over 100,000 students with American families. Today, our students come from 25 countries.

How does EF Foundation differ from the other organizations offering student exchange programs? EF Foundation is the leader in high school exchange. We bring more international students to the United States than any other high school exchange program. We have over three decades of experience and offer unparalleled support and resources to our host families, students and schools.

We offer the strongest local and national support network in the industry to students, host families and schools. EF Foundation’s host families and schools have access to our full-time professional staff located at our Cambridge, Massachusetts headquarters. Our national staff is available 365 days a year/24 hours a day and has overall responsibility for each exchange student while they are living in the United States.

Our trained coordinators and placement specialists have extensive experience working with thousands of families each year. Ensuring that families are well prepared for the exchange experience and matching the right student with the right family is a top priority.

EF Foundation is the only high school exchange program to offer host families the opportunity for great discounts on exciting travel through EF Education First’s Educational Tours, Smithsonian Student Travel, International Language Centers and Go Ahead Tours. Further, only EF Foundation offers a Host Family Perks program which gives host families access to more than 250,000 discounts and savings in their local communities, online and at the grocery store.

How long is the typical exchange experience for students? EF Foundation offers students the opportunity to experience an academic semester or a full high school year in America.

What is EF Foundation’s role in the exchange process? EF Foundation is responsible for coordinating every aspect of the student exchange process once the student arrives in the United States. We find host families; enroll students in school; and provide students, hosts and schools with ongoing support and guidance to ensure a successful exchange year. Our national staff is available 365 days a year/24 hours a day and has overall responsibility for each exchange student while they are living in the US.

How is EF Foundation affiliated with EF Education First? EF Foundation is an EF-branded program. EF Education First is the world's largest private educational company, with a group of 15 subsidiaries and non-profit organizations centered on language learning, educational travel, cultural exchange, and academic programs. Subsidiaries include: Educational Tours, Smithsonian Student Travel, Cultural Care Au Pair, International Language Centers, Hult International Business School and Go Ahead Tours.

Where can I get more information? In addition to this website, you can call our national office at 1-800-447-4273 to speak to a member of our staff. We look forward to speaking with you, and thank you for your interest in high school exchange!