21-Day Summer Exchange
Three Weeks That Change How They See the World.
Your student lives with a real American family for 21 days. Not a tour group. Not a summer camp. A genuine cultural exchange — with an ICES Local Coordinator supporting every step. Many families use this as the first step before a full academic year.
Ages 13–18 · 21 days · Tourist visa (B-1/B-2) · Single placement · Starting at $2,500 · June–July 2026
Coordinated through ICES — a U.S. Department of State designated sponsor. Modeled after a program structure proven since 2002.
21
Days of immersion
1:1
Student per family
13–18
Age range
10–30
Students per group
What Makes This Different
Not a tour. Not a camp. A real exchange.
Single Placement
One student per host family. No sharing the experience with other international students. Full English immersion and genuine family life from day one.
ICES-Regulated
Every host family vetted through ICES — background checks, home visits, interviews. Dedicated Local Coordinator in the community for the entire 21 days.
City Cultural Touring
2 nights / 3 days in the nearest major city — NYC, Chicago, LA. Museums, landmarks, food, city life. A structured cultural introduction before settling into family living.
Gateway to More
Many students use the 21-day exchange as a trial run. If they love it, transition to a full J-1 academic year or F-1 placement. Low risk, high reward.
21 Days, Three Phases
A structured experience from arrival to departure.
City Cultural Touring
2 nights / 3 days exploring the nearest major city. Landmarks, museums, food, and the energy of American urban life. A structured orientation to the country before heading to the host community.
Host Family Immersion
Daily life with an American family. Meals, routines, community activities, local culture. The student becomes part of the household — not a guest, a family member. ICES Local Coordinator checks in regularly.
Group Departure
Students depart as a group, coordinated by the chaperone. Host families and students often stay in touch — many come back for a full academic year.
How the Summer Exchange Works
Five steps from registration to departure.
Groups register through Atlas & Ivy. We coordinate with ICES Local Coordinators for host family matching and on-the-ground support throughout the program.
- 01
Group Registration
Groups register through Atlas & Ivy. Minimum 10 students, maximum 30 per group. Students arrive in increments of 5. One adult chaperone travels from the country of origin with each group.
- 02
Host Family Matching
Each student is placed individually — one student per host family. Families are vetted through ICES and matched by the Local Coordinator based on location, interests, and family profiles.
- 03
Arrival & Cultural Touring
Students arrive between June 24 – July 1 (varies by origin country). The program opens with 2 nights / 3 days of cultural touring in the nearest major city — NYC, Chicago, or LA depending on placement region.
- 04
21 Days of Full Immersion
Three weeks living with an American family. Daily life, meals, community activities, local culture. This isn't a classroom program — it's the real thing. ICES Local Coordinators monitor every placement throughout.
- 05
Group Departure
Students depart as a group. Chaperone coordinates return travel. Families often stay in touch long after the program ends — many students return for a full J-1 or F-1 program.
Group Structure
Designed for agencies, schools, and organizations sending groups of students.
Group Size
Minimum 10 students, maximum 30 per group. Students arrive in increments of 5 for smooth logistics and host family coordination.
Chaperone Required
One adult chaperone from the country of origin travels with each group. Present for arrival, cultural touring, and departure.
Single Placement
One student per host family. Every student gets full immersion — no sharing the experience with another international student in the same household.
Arrival Window
June 24 – July 1, 2026 (varies by origin country and placement location). Specific arrival dates confirmed during registration.
Local Coordinator
An ICES-certified Local Coordinator in the host community manages host families, monitors placements, and provides on-the-ground support for all 21 days.
Duration
21 days total: 2 nights / 3 days city cultural touring + 18 days with the host family. Group departure coordinated at the end.
Questions About Summer Exchange
Real answers. No PR-speak.
How is this different from Short-Term Programs?
Short-Term Programs are typically 2–12 weeks on an F-1 visa with an academic or enrichment focus — classes, campus life, structured curriculum. The Summer Exchange is a 21-day homestay on a tourist visa: your student lives with a vetted American family, experiences daily American life, and is supported by an ICES Local Coordinator. No classroom. Pure cultural immersion.
What does "single placement" mean?
One student per host family. Your child isn't sharing the experience with another international student — they're the only exchange student in the household. That means full immersion in English, American routines, and genuine family life.
What happens during the city cultural touring?
The first 2 nights / 3 days are spent in the nearest major city to the host family region. For example, students placed near Easton, PA visit New York City. It's a structured introduction to American culture — landmarks, food, museums, city life — before settling into the quieter rhythm of family living.
What age range is this for?
Ages 13–18. The program is designed for high school-age students, though younger teens (13–14) are matched with families experienced with that age group.
Does a chaperone travel with the students?
Yes — one adult chaperone from the country of origin travels with each group. They're present for arrival, cultural touring, and departure. During the homestay portion, the ICES Local Coordinator is the primary point of contact.
What's the minimum group size?
Minimum 10 students, maximum 30 per group. Groups arrive in increments of 5. This structure keeps logistics manageable and ensures every student gets individual attention from their host family and Local Coordinator.
Can this lead to a longer program?
Absolutely — and it often does. Many students use the 21-day summer exchange as a trial run before committing to a full J-1 academic year or F-1 placement. Families get to see their child thrive in an American setting before making a bigger decision.
How are host families vetted?
Every host family goes through the full ICES vetting process — background checks, home visits, interviews, and annual recertification. Local Coordinators know their families personally. These aren't strangers — they're families who have chosen to participate in cultural exchange.
Give Them Three Weeks They'll Talk About Forever.
Register a group for the 2026 Summer Exchange. Or book a call to learn how the program fits your students, school, or agency.
Register Your Group
Tell us about your group — size, origin country, and timing. We'll confirm availability and walk you through next steps.