Advocacy for cultural exchange
in the coming year

Playing an active leadership role in the international exchange community’s advocacy is vital to our program’s success—join us in our mission and make change!

How BridgeUSA programs help support U.S. businesses

BridgeUSA participants make substantial economic contributions.

In 2023, participants across the five programs surveyed contributed a total of $811.2 million to the U.S. economy. This spending supports businesses and communities across the country.

U.S. businesses rely heavily on BridgeUSA programs.

Many businesses depend on these programs to fill critical labor needs. For example, 86% of Summer Work Travel host employers rely on the program to fill local staffing shortages. Without these programs, many businesses would face significant challenges.

BridgeUSA programs are essential for many host employers.

The report highlights the negative impacts businesses would experience if they couldn't access these programs. For example, 96% of camps would see their operations negatively impacted if they couldn't host international counselors. This underscores the vital role BridgeUSA plays in supporting U.S. businesses.

BridgeUSA programs provide significant value to host employers.

Host employers emphasize the many benefits of participating in BridgeUSA programs, including filling labor shortages, enhancing workplace culture, and gaining access to a global workforce.

The global InterExchange impact

Our participants seek life-changing adventures around the world, longing for experiences that will push them to new heights and stretch them in exciting directions. We asked more than 50,000 InterExchange alumni worldwide what impact their abroad program had on their lives.

Our impact, by the numbers

experienced personal fulfillment during their program

of our alumni would recommend InterExchange to a friend

keep in touch with international friends and colleagues

reported becoming more independent as a result of their program

of international participants improved their English language skills during their stay in the U.S.

of participants rated their experience 8 or above on a scale of 1-10

of American participants improved their foreign language skills during their program abroad

An Investment in America

Commissioned by the Alliance for International Exchange and conducted by Rajika Bhandari Advisors, this comprehensive report looks specifically at five BridgeUSA Programs: the Au Pair, Camp Counselor, Intern and Trainee, and Summer Work Travel (SWT) programs.

InterExchange alumni community

Our alumni members are fellow students, professionals, and leaders from more than 60 countries, all looking to make a difference in and out of their communities. They are an integral part of the InterExchange mission to develop international relationships and promote cross-cultural awareness.

use languages other than their countries’ native languages.

use cultural knowledge gained during their InterExchange programs.

interact with people in other countries.

use professional skills acquired during their InterExchange programs.

The Philosophy of Cultural Exchange

InterExchange's founders, Uta and Paul Christianson, believed that living and working abroad should be part of everyone's personal education. Cultural exchange broadens our global awareness, empowers us with intercultural connections, and provides a lifelong connection to the international community. It allows us to learn about the countries and cultures we visit, and to share our own traditions and points of view.

By meeting people and seeking new experiences, we can strengthen our ties to other nations and cultures. We can encourage respect, cooperation, and appreciation for those who may be different from us. As our world becomes more connected, international cooperation and understanding are critical not only for governments seeking successful diplomatic connections, but also for individuals seeking meaningful global relationships.

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.

– Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad

Featured stories

For International Participants

November 25, 2025

5 -min read

From Law Student to NYC Marathoner: Crossing Cultures & Finish Lines

Léa came to NYC on a J-1 visa for a sustainability internship—and ended up running 26.2 miles. Discover how Career Training USA became a journey of professional growth, community, and crossing unexpected finish lines.

For Hosts

November 19, 2025

5 -min read

A Host Employer’s Guide to Facilitating Cultural Exchange

As a host employer, you play a crucial role in facilitating meaningful cultural immersion. Investing in their experience outside of work shows you value them as cultural exchange participants, not just employees, and helps build meaningful relationships with American coworkers.

For International Participants

November 18, 2025

7 -min read

From Summer Job to Employee of the Quarter: Dan’s Story

Resilience, a good attitude, and the willingness to go above and beyond can turn a summer job into a career-defining experience. In Dan’s case, it earned him Employee of the Quarter!

Christianson Fellowship

Submit your application by October 15, 2024 to receive the 100% discount off the application fee!

Our Programs

Advocacy for cultural exchange in the coming year

How BridgeUSA programs help support U.S. businesses

BridgeUSA participants make substantial economic contributions.

U.S. businesses rely heavily on BridgeUSA programs.

BridgeUSA programs are essential for many host employers.

BridgeUSA programs provide significant value to host employers.

The global InterExchange impact

Our impact, by the numbers

experienced personal fulfillment during their program

of our alumni would recommend InterExchange to a friend

keep in touch with international friends and colleagues

reported becoming more independent as a result of their program

of international participants improved their English language skills during their stay in the U.S.

of participants rated their experience 8 or above on a scale of 1-10

of American participants improved their foreign language skills during their program abroad

An Investment in America

InterExchange alumni community

use languages other than their countries’ native languages.

use cultural knowledge gained during their InterExchange programs.

interact with people in other countries.

use professional skills acquired during their InterExchange programs.

The Philosophy of Cultural Exchange

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. – Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad

Featured stories

From Law Student to NYC Marathoner: Crossing Cultures & Finish Lines

A Host Employer’s Guide to Facilitating Cultural Exchange

From Summer Job to Employee of the Quarter: Dan’s Story

Christianson Fellowship

Advocacy for cultural exchange
in the coming year

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.

– Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad