Pacific Intercultural Exchange

Pacific Intercultural Exchange-USA (P.I.E.- USA) was incorporated in 1975 in San Diego, California, as a not-for-profit international student exchange organization. Since that time, the program has facilitated exchanges for more than 25,000 high school students from almost every corner of the world. Working with similar organizations in more than 40 countries, P.I.E.-USA brings students into the United States for six and ten month academic homestays, and sends American students overseas for similar time periods.

Foreign students traveling to the United States are selected, screened, and prepared for the experience by cooperating organizations overseas. Through its network of volunteer community representatives located throughout the United States, P.I.E.-USA recruits, screens and prepares host families to receive these students. Enrollment in a local public high school is also secured by the program. Once the students have arrived, host families are supported by their local representatives, as well as P.I.E.-USA's full-time staff.

Students live as family members; they participate in family activities, share successes and problems with the host family, and perform household tasks required of family members. All students are covered with medical and accident insurance by P.I.E.-USA; and the organization assumes full responsibility for each student on program. To cover expenses outside of the home, students bring their own personal spending money.

American students traveling overseas are recruited, screened and prepared for the experience by P.I.E.-USA's Passport program. P.I.E.-USA's international affiliates provide the placement and support for these students while overseas. Programs range from short-term summerstays to full academic year homestays.