Fostering Peace and Understanding
International School to School Experience
A Unique International Program
The International School-to-School Experience (ISSE) is a unique international program for schools that provides for the exchange of thoughts and ideas through face-to-face contact with children from other countries around the world. It is non-profit, non-political, and non-religious in nature.
An Innovative Approach
The program gives all 10-12 year old school children the opportunity to experience and understand other cultures on a first-hand basis. It is an innovative approach for schools that realize the importance of international experience in modern school education.
I had a fantastic time and will remember it for the rest of my life. Everyone should do ISSE!
What other program allows students from all over the world to experience home life and schooling in a foreign country at 10-12 years of age? ISSE is absolutely amazing in how it breaks down the cultural and religious barriers and opens the door for lifelong friendships. ISSE is creating tomorrow’s open-minded adults.
The ISSE program is an adventurous project and a certain amount of trust is necessary for the parents involved – the bridge of communication helped us feel we were sending our child off to ‘friends’ rather than the unknown.
The children were fantastic and they really matured from their Indian experience. ISSE has opened their eyes and they now see the world in a very different way.
If I were to choose a single word to describe my overall experience it would probably be ‘intense’, because the wonderful sights, sounds, smells and human interactions came so thick and fast.
As parents, we could not be more thrilled with the ISSE program. Students engaged in leadership activities and prepared all year for the trip. By staying with families, attending school, and going on field trips, the kids were thoroughly immersed in a cultural and educational experience. They came back more confident and knowledgeable about the world. We would be happy to send our kids to any of the host countries with ISSE!
I loved going to Australia for three weeks. I had the best time, and I think everyone should be able to participate in ISSE. I love the way the program is set up, because you aren’t staying in a hotel, but with a family. I learned that I could try a lot of new things. ISSE rocks!
My name is Karla. The trip to Australia was one of the best experiences I have had. I had a lot of fun. I met a lot of wonderful people and friends. I went to a lot of places there. My Australian family was very friendly to me. They really took care of me .They also took me to the beach and to many other places. I had a lot of fun with them. “It was fantastic”
The best part about an exchange program is living with friends and learning about everyday life. I also really enjoyed the day trips and learning about other peoples’ communities. There is just so much to see and do. So many great new friends to meet. I especially love trying new food and the exciting sightseeing tours.
It brought parents, children and teachers together providing an enriched atmosphere and sharing. Programmed activities give drive, enthusiasm and a school focus for all. The promotion of goodwill and friendship – memories that will survive time.
It was an amazing experience to go to El Salvador and live in a whole different culture and lifestyle. It is definitely something I will never forget.
I would always highly recommend the ISSE program for anyone with an open mind and who is not afraid of trying different food. Such experiences allow students to learn how to accept and learn about different people and their cultures and traditions. You will never regret going ahead with this experience of a lifetime.
Bluebells was very welcoming and I had many new experiences. I enjoyed India very much, it was the best!!!
My name is Mariana.One of my best experiences is when I went to Australia. I Iearned a lot of things. My family from Australia just treated me wonderfully, they took me to many places and I had a lot of fun with them. At Regency Park School I learned about their culture and the way they are. “It was great”
Being on an exchange is a fantastic and unique opportunity. I have two daughters, both of whom enjoyed their experiences immensely. They are also both having an ongoing strong friendship with their exchange students. I believe travel is essential to a complete all-rounded education as well as providing a real life experience. Travelling abroad teaches you tolerance, understanding different culture, priorities and gives us a better ability to be successful in today’s society.
What an incredible experience it was being a host family. We enjoyed learning about all the similarities and differences in our cultures and ways of life. The ISSE experience gave us the opportunity as a family to share our wonderful city with a child from another country and in turn, we heard some amazing stories about their home and city in Colorado. Being a part of this program and spending time with other host families was also very rewarding. On many of our group outings there was always a lot of laughter and good times and, we enjoyed each other’s company immensely. It has now been more than a month since Abby left her ‘second home’ and we still keep in contact via MSN and Skype. I know my daughter Emily thoroughly enjoyed having Abby stay with us as; she quite effortlessly and quickly became a member of our family. We hope this bond will remain for many years to come and hopefully, she took home some wonderful memories of Australia and the time she spent here.
Our family’s ISSE experience has been enriching and memorable. It wasinteresting and fun to learn and appreciate another culture and values through the eyes of a child. Our visitor child was polite, matured and well-mannered. He was a great ambassador! We enjoyed our time spent together, especially the fun activities organised by the school. Our children enjoyed having another “brother” at home too. The 2 weeks flew by quickly and we wished we had more time together. We treasure this new friendship and the fond memories we shared together.
Through ISSE I was able to meet new people, see amazing places, learn about another culture, learn more about the history of America and try new foods. ISSE was great!
“The more we learn to know students from other countries, the more we see that we are all alike.”
Recent ISSE stories
Bal Bharati (India) visits Bethany School (US)
October 15 at 8:12 PM How time has just flown by……it’s about to be 3 weeks now and almost time to fly back ……with soooooooo many lovely memories to be cherished forever……a part of us being left behind here…….thank you sooooo much Bethany School……thank you Margie Hewton Kessler, Marla Brunsman, thank you all the parents
Minutes of ISSE World Conference 2018: Liuzhou, China
Communication with Parents Parents of visiting students cannot make schedule changes with the host parents without the host and visiting schools’ chaperones’ approval No unequal treatment or extravagant gifts to visiting students Chaperones should expect to do daily communication (blog) with home school via What’s App, We Chat, etc. Communication between Schools Communication between schools
Thomas Alva Edison School
In the Caguas region, TAES has offered, for over 50 years, a college preparatory education in a safe and family-oriented environment. We validate our philosophy daily and encourage the development of a well-rounded citizen. Students are empowered with a solid bilingual education, having the opportunity to excel in the arts, sports, academics, and leadership positions,
Jefferson, Ecuador visits Angevine, USA
Students from Jefferson enjoy a snow activity with Angevine students. Jefferson students departing from DIA and passing through the security maze.
Bethany School and Mt. Waverley Primary
We learn so much from our exchanges with other schools in the ISSE program. One which really resonated with all of us who visited Mt. Waverley Primary School in Melbourne last June was their recycling program. It was amazing! We were blown away by all they do. We had a modest program already in place
Ohio-Costa Rica 2016
I loved the experience!!! It was absolutely awesome. Everyone treated me so good. My host is coming today and we even planned vacaciones together!!!! Thanks to ISSE program I had the best experience in my life. I also practiced my English!!!!