Reviews

Review Details

• Review fromJacqueline M

  Date: 05/27/2024

  1 star

  Jacqueline M

  Date: 05/27/2024

  -IE does not sufficiently vet students applications to the program, and therefore does not admit the caliber of student that they boast. -IE local coordinators have little to no accountability. A direct quote from IEs website: Each coordinator sets their own goals, schedule, and time investment into the program. Some coordinators spend just a few hours per week working, while others have turned the position into a full-time role. Does that kind of inconsistency and lack of accountability seem fair to host families?-IE does not allow mental health services for their students, despite admitting students who are in need of mental health services. Our local coordinator went so far as to tell us we should try to "secretly" pay for therapy for our student.-Communication within IE itself is unreliable and inconsistent. -IEs local coordinators make misleading commitments and guarantees to coerce host families into signing.-IE and local coordinators are unable to assist host families with their students.-IE does not follow professional protocol, breaking their own rules in order to keep students within the program. Our local coordinator gave our student permission to stay in our home alone overnight without our consent. -IE staff navigate difficult situations in a way that is not sensitive to the host familys or students needs/emotional wellbeing. -IEs priority is placing students, rather than ensuring a good fit. (Of course, coordinators are compensated an extra $1000 per student.)-Those at an administrative level, including the regional director, were well aware of our local coordinators ineptitude, and chose to do nothing. A program that condones and supports unprofessional local coordinators is one that will end up with many of them. -Other programs more thorough, supportive, and hold their employees to a higher standard; we would suggest you go with a program that gives you and your family a higher chance of a positive experience! -Two teachers

  International Experience (iE)

  Date: 05/28/2024

  From the moment of application, iE-USAs priority is the safety and well-being of all of our participants. All participants, including students, host families, and local coordinators, go through a thorough application and vetting process before they are selected to participate in the program, or work for iE. For students, this process includes an extensive written application, in-person interview, English proficiency exam, academic assessment,and overall program fit evaluation to determine that they are likely to have a successful exchange year this assessment is based on decades of experience working with exchange students.

  
  Host families select the student they would like to host and have an opportunity to review the students application information and meet with the student and natural family ahead of the exchange to determine whether the student is a good fit for the host family home.

  
  Host families and students receive ongoing support from iE.This includes mandated regular in-person contact with the Local Coordinator, monthly student, host family, and local coordinator reports as an opportunity to communicate any issues with iE-***, follow-up and intervention from trained staff in case issues arise, and frequent communication from the Local Coordinator and other iE staff members. Participants also receive contact information for their Local Coordinator, Regional ************************** and an emergency hotline to ensure paths of communication are available at all times.

  
  All Local Coordinators participate in multiple mandatory trainings each year and are reviewed on an ongoing basis to remain eligible to work with students and host families. Additionally, iE provides resources and support throughout the exchange and has established protocols, processes, and full-time staff in place to provide additional support and resolve issues. This includes a dedicated Student Case Manager, and an Advisory Committee.

  
  iE is always willing to work with the host family to find solutions for any issues that arise. Host families can decide at any point during the exchange that they no longer wish to host the student, and iE will honor the host familys request and promptly move the student out of the host family home.

• Review fromAnn I

  Date: 10/15/2023

  1 star

  Ann I

  Date: 10/15/2023

  This experience was great until our dog barked during the night and woke the student. Up to the point, which honestly was only about 2 months in, he had been responsible and very respectful. His response the morning of our dog waking him turn into him yelling and expressing that he didn't really like our small "in the middle of no where town anyway". Me knowing nothing about the process of him getting to us,began to ask questions. I, mistakingly, assumed since we got to "pick" from several students that his preferences were considered as well. (Other children in the him,big town, no pets). Turns out they get "placed" . Over the the next the week I contacted to get yelled at. Although, I factor in homesickness and normal teenage boy stuff, I couldn't let it continue. I reached out to the local coordinator. We had a meeting that not only resolved nothing, but made the tension worse. We were never given a second meeting as promised. Instead, we were informed 3 days later he would be placed in another home. This company needs more work in appropriate conflict resolution.

  International Experience (iE)

  Date: 10/16/2023

  The safety and well-being of all of our participants is a priority at iE. Participants go through an application and vetting process before they are selected to participate in the program. Host families, who select the student they would like to host, have an opportunity to connect with the student and natural family ahead of the exchange to meet and get to know each other. While conflict due to factors like homesickness, miscommunication, language barriers, and cultural or personal differences can be part of the exchange, iE provides resources to prepare participants for these moments, and has dedicated staff and a conflict resolution process in place to resolve conflict, which includes removing the student from the home if the conflict cannot be adequately resolved.

• Review fromDrew C

  Date: 09/15/2023

  1 star

  Drew C

  Date: 09/15/2023

  IE was our first experience in hosting an exchange student. My wife and I were very excited. We have no children of our own and thought it would be a lovely experience. After filling out paperwork, submitting several references and having a coordinator visit us at our home, we were approved to have a 16 year old girl from *******. She she stayed with us for about 2 months. In the the night (9:40pm) after arriving home from picking the student up from a track meet. The local coordinator knocked on our door and told ***** that she would need to pack her things and leave. We were shocked and horrified. The coordinator gave little information as to why and made excuses. They packed her up and she left. We called the regional director immediately and she informed us that the parents had made complaints so the decision was made to move her. After requesting the complaints we were perplexed as they were twisted versions of regular things that happened in the home or flat out false. For example: we were accused of not providing privacy. This is untrue. She had a room that she could close (and she spent much time there) and her own private bathroom. They said we didnt let her see friends. This is not true. We encouraged her to make friends, drove her to football games, encouraged her participation in track and encouraged her to make friends at church (which she voluntarily went to). We were accused of buying her extravagant gifts. We do not have children and so we did spend our money to provide a good time with gifts but Im not sure how that is a problem. We went to the fair, mall, restaurants, etc.IE had no due process, there was not coordination from the parents or coordinators to resolve any perceived issues, nothing. Youre just living your life and one day a van shows up without warning and you are accused. Stay away from IE. You can give the shirt off your back and provide a fun and loving home and suddenly will leave emotionally beat and empty handed.

  International Experience (iE)

  Date: 10/16/2023

  Student and host family complaints are taken very seriously at iE. iE follows an established conflict resolution process and employs an advisory committee to assess complaints and determine the appropriate course of action that prioritizes the safety of all participants, and is based on handling thousands of exchange experiences over the last two decades.