Student Exchange Programs

The district believes that many benefits accompany participation in student exchange programs, both for individuals participating and for the schools they attend. In any year, we host young men and women from many lands and have some of our own students experiencing life abroad. While the district does not directly sponsor these exchanges, we cooperate with recognized organizations which arrange such exchanges.

If you are contemplating an outbound exchange, consult with your school counselor and administration early. Our graduation requirements are determined by State and School Board policies and must be met before a returning student can obtain a diploma. Specific arrangements must be made for how coursework completed abroad will satisfy graduation requirements if the student is to stay on track to graduate with their class. Graduates in 2004 and after must also successfully complete all three parts of the Alaska High School Graduation Qualifying Examination before being eligible for a high school diploma. All of these plans should be in writing and signed off by the student, parent and school officials.

Families planning to host exchange students sometimes hope that an ASD diploma can be earned during the student's stay. Given our graduation requirements, this is very unlikely. No waivers for requirements are allowed. Enrollments at some of our high schools are currently over the building capacity so exchange students may not be accepted to certain schools due to overcrowding.

Are you or your child interested in an exchange program? Speak with your local high school's counselor for more information.

Are you interested in hosting an exchange student? Speak with your local high school's curriculum principal.

Community Coordinators

For specific information on student exchange programs, you may wish to contact the following community coordinators:

AFS: Intercultural Programs is a non-profit volunteer based educational organization offering exchanges for students, young adults and teachers in over 50 countries around the world. Contact:
	Helen Armstrong 907-345-6970	Barbara Zipkin 907-276-0043
ASSE: American Swedish Student Exchange is one of the oldest and largest international student exchange organizations. Contact:
	Holly Gorsuch, State Coordinator 907-766-3633	Ruth Brooks, Anchorage Coordinator 907-344-5841
AYUSA: Academic Year in the USA is a non-profit high school exchange organization with programs worldwide. Contact:
	Dwight Hunter, Regional Director 907-440-4461 or 907-274-4721
NW Services PEACE program is a non-profit educational organization offering both inbound and outbound homestay programs for students 15 - 18 years of age.
	Teresa Knapp, Manager 866-846-3977	Jayme Ellerbe, Coordinator 907-336-3611
Pacific Intercultural Exchange (P.I.E.) is a non-profit educational high school exchange program offering inbound and outbound homestay opportunities worldwide for students ages 15-18. They are based in San Diego and the direct main phone number is 1-800-PIE-USA1.
PAX - Program of Academic Exchange offers both inbound and outbound high school/homestay programs. Contact:
	Jodi Spry, Coordinator 800-555-6211
RURE: Rose Urban Rural Exchange is an in-state, two week cross-cultural exchange for high school students in the 9th, 10th & 11th grade. Contact:
	Panu Lucier, Program Director 907-272-5302	Myroslava Ponomarchuk, Outreach and Logistics Coordinator 907-272-5321
Rotary Youth Exchange is open to young men and women, generally between the ages of 15-17, the sons and daughters of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike.
	Contact your local Rotary Club for further information.  www.rotary.org/cgi-bin/List-Clubs.cgi?city=anchorage
World Heritage is a public benefit organization dedicated to fostering cultural enrichment and intercultural understanding through youth exchange programs. World Heritage is officially designated as an "exchange visitors" program by the United States Department of State and adheres to all its regulations. Contact:
	Meghan Hughes, Local Representative 907-770-0333 or 907-285-8243	Dawn Davis, Regional Coordinator 800-888-9040
YFU: Youth for Understanding is a non-profit educational organization which offers opportunities for young people around the world to spend a summer, semester or year with a host family in another culture. Contact:
	Patty Floyd, AK Director 907-776-3938 or 1-800-872-0200 x10