Student Exchange Alliance FAQ's

Thank you for your interest in SEA and the Foreign Exchange Student experience!

• Who is SEA?
• What is the SEA Mission?
• What is the AYP high school program?
• What makes an SEA Alliance member student?
• How are Local Representatives selected, and what do they do?
• Who provides the support?
• Want to learn more about being a HOST FAMILY and/or REPRESENTATIVE?

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SEA, Student Exchange Alliance, is the marketing division for SMG, Student Management Group. SEA is an independent company that works in an Alliance with a small select group of highly qualified exchange programs. Alliance members are all non-profit non-governmental programs that have been designated with a full listing by CSIET, International Educational Travel and Exchange Programs and in good standing with the U.S. Department of State. The SEA Alliance has developed a wide variety of programs and services primarily for students and schools at secondary school level. The SEA Alliance member programs have over 50 fully staffed Regional Offices placed throughout the United States and Canada. Additionally, the Alliance Programs works with over 250 partner agents from over 60 countries. SEA and its members have become a ER of INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENT PROGRAMS and related services. In 2006, the Alliance will serve students from over 60 countries age 15 to 18 years of age coming to the USA for their dream come true.

 

"STUDENT EXCHANGE ALLIANCE is dedicated in its approach by helping people gain understanding, acquire knowledge and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. We are accomplishing our mission by sharing knowledge and developing skills in those working with the leaders of tomorrow."

 

SEA member programs’ are 5, 10 or 12 month Academic Year Programs, with the 10 month being the most popular, The AYP program is a Homestay Program that enables our international high school students to attend quality high schools in the U.S. while living with a host family. HOST FAMILIES across the U.S. invite students into their homes as a member of their family to fully participate in all aspects of family, and community life.

 

SEA family of programs has specific qualifications that must be reached before students are accepted into their program. These standards are as follows:

• Are between the ages of 15 and 18 at the start of the program.
• Actively enrolled in high school in their home country.
• Cannot have failed a year of school or English in the past three years.
• Have studied at least 3 years of English and possess basic practical skills in written and spoken English.
• Demonstrate the proper motivation and maturity to participate in the AYP High School Program.
• Must show the abilities required for qualitative substance equal to successfully completing the program.
• The QUALITY of our students on program is exceptional and eager to become a member of a family.

 

All Local Representatives have been interviewed, including complete references checks and required to attend training sessions held by their Regional Director/Manager. SEA and the partner program’s national office administer all materials and guidelines for quality informational training sessions. The Local Representative is responsible for recruiting and screening Host Families. They conduct host family interviews, reference checks, and aid in the selection process by assisting in the match between student and family.Student Exchange Representatives act as a liaison to local high schools, families and assist in the enrollment of the students. Throughout the year, the Representatives are responsible for the supervision of each of their students, including monthly contact with the students and bi-monthly home visits with the student and family, as well as continued contact with the local high school. Exchnage Student REPRESENTATIVES are in constant contact with their immediate supervisor and/or their Regional Director/Manager office staff throughout the year. They are evaluated by the program participants as well as reviewed yearly by the program Directors.

 

A full-time office staff Facilitator, in partnership with the managing Regional Director/Manager, is trained and experienced in the field of INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE and manages all aspects of the support. The Regional Director/Managers are available to assist all participants with any problems or questions that arise throughout the year. Regional Director/Managers are responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training, motivation, supervision and management of the Local Representative. They are in constant touch with all field staff during all phases of the program.