Educational Resource Development Trust (ERDT)

Educational Resource Development Trust (ERDT), a nonprofit educational foundation, was established in 1974 and has, since its inception, been successfully involved in working with international students — both individually and in groups — for short-term and long-term educational and home stay programs. In the 1970s, ERDT was primarily involved in administering scholarships for employees of foreign government agencies and multinational corporations for study at U.S. colleges and universities. In 1980, ERDT was designated by the United States Information Agency (now part of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) to sponsor a Teenager High School Exchange Program — our SHARE! High School Exchange Program. ERDT/SHARE! now places more than 700 international students a year with American host families while they attend local high schools. ERDT also organizes various Special Programs, including short-term home stays and outbound programs for Americans.

SHARE! is well-respected in the exchange community (overseas agents, host families and coordinators) specifically for our personal approach to student exchange. We are a medium-sized organization—large enough to provide stability and variety, but small enough to maintain a personal touch. Being as selective as we are, we can maintain a family-like atmosphere that extends to our field staff, host families, and exchange students. Prospective students undergo a screening process that includes written and spoken English language tests, the submission of academic and medical records, student and host family questionnaires, interviews and more. Our coordinators are well-trained SHARE! EPCs undergo an extensive training process and are given specific tools to help them support both families and students through the exchange process.