History

Founded in 1991, ICES is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding among the peoples of the world. ICES has accomplished this goal for thousands of exchange student participants for nearly 2 decades through its dedicated volunteers and international partners.

Since its beginning, ICES has been recognized as a quality midsized student exchange program. ICES has established a successful history managing student exchange operations. We are acknowledged as providing superior exchange programs and personalized service. Our success is based on delivering more than expected and using all of our resources to ensure optimum satisfaction. Our goal is not necessarily to increase in size, but to specialize and personalize our services without lowering our quality standards.

ICES cooperates with Student Exchange Organizations all over the world. These ICES Associated Organizations and Agencies can be found from Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe to Central and South America.

If you are an international student and you wish to study in the United States, ICES will help you contact your local Student Exchange Organization. Contact Lisa Robinson, Program Director, for assistance.

Locations

The ICES National Student Support Center iis headquartered in Concord, Virginia, and oversees all student counseling issues.

The ICES International Headquarters are located in the Charleston/Huntington Metro Area of West Virginia.

We also have satellite offices in:

Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi,

Minnesota, Montana, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington,

Wisconsin and West Virginia

Credentials and Memberships

ICES is designated as an official exchange visitor program, and operates under the regulations of the United States Departement of State. ICES has been a member of the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange (ALLIANCE) since 1997.

ICES is governed by the policies of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) and has a full listing. ICES President, John J. Crist, has served two terms on the CSIET Board of Directors. CSIET is a not-for-profit organization committed to quality international educational travel and exchange. It establishes standards for organizations operating international travel and exchange programs at the high school level, monitors compliance with those standards, and disseminates information regarding international educational travel organizations.