We are on a journey to deliver a transformative education to our families and students that will spark their curiosity and grow their self-confidence, knowledge and life skills that will help them thrive now and throughout their lifetime.
Steve Brown, ISP CEO
We are International Schools Partnership (ISP), a global community of 81 international
schools across 23 countries. We champion a transformative approach to learning that
goes beyond the classroom. By igniting our students' curiosity and growing their self-
confidence, we empower them to become the next generation of changemakers.
Our purpose: We exist to grow the world's most curious, confident minds.
What is the CEP?
ISP Cultural Exchange Programme encourages the reciprocal exchange across regions where ISP schools are located. Our aim is to offer students the opportunity to experience a culture different from their own by attending another ISP school for a month and living with a family.
Our programme is designed to give teenagers aged 14-17 a unique chance to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, make lifelong connections, and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. It is a gateway for them to grow their cultural appreciation, global awareness, and resilience.
Types of exchanges
We have three different one-month long cultural exchanges for you to choose from:
01
Reciprocal exchange
Both buddies get the chance to travel, live with each other's family, and study at another ISP School.
02
Only hosting
You receive a buddy in your home and host them through their experience in your country.
03
Only travelling
You get to travel and visit another ISP family and school.
Please note, reciprocal exchanges are preferred, and as such we will go in the order above for the matching of buddies. Dates for the exchanges will be discussed and agreed among your families and schools. Your exchange will take place between April and July 2024, or between September and December 2024.
In the case of reciprocal exchanges, these won’t happen at the same time. First, one of you will be the host for their buddy, and vice versa. For example:
Camila
ITJ Valle Real
(Mexico)
They agree that Camila will go to India in May.
She will be hosted by Kaira’s family.
Both will attend classes together at Sancta Maria.
In June, Kaira will travel to Mexico.
She will be hosted by Camila’s family.
Both will attend classes at ITJ Valle Real.
Kaira
Sancta Maria International School (India)
As you can see, there is no option in this edition for being hosted in boarding facilities. ISP Cultural Exchange Programme is about experiencing the day to day reality of another ISP student in their context.
Key Facts
Exchange trip between
ISP schools (a)
2-month experience
(1 traveling
& 1 hosting)
2 possible exchange windows: Apr-Jul or
Sep-Dec ‘24
14-17
Age Range
100 families paired (b)
Families cover travel expenses
and insurance (c)
Reciprocal exchanges prioritised (d)
(a) Your choice: You will get to rank your top 3 favorite ISP regions. If your application is accepted, you will receive an offer from one of these regions. Our goal is to maximise the number of students exchanging. Parings are also based on age, gender, curriculum and interests.
(b) This is the target number. We would like to offer a minimum of 100 exchanges in 2024.
(c) This applies unless you are not hosting a student in which case you will need to cover boarding costs for host family.
(d) You can choose to have a reciprocal, only host, or only travel exchange experience. Priority is given to reciprocal exchanges.
Student Learning Outcomes
The real-world learning skills and greater independence which CEP students gain is phenomenal as they plan and prepare for a trip across the world, live in a new home with a new ISP family. All of this attributes to developing their intercultural competencies.
Students have the chance to thrive in a different learning environment in another ISP school, living their daily life alongside their ‘buddy’.
The hosting and visiting reciprocity further consolidates students’ learning and they develop their life competencies through gaining knowledge, growing out their personal and soft skill sets and increasing their understanding.
- Knowledge: Know about a range of cultures, traditions and history.
- Skills: Develop language and communication skills, cultural competence, autonomy and self-confidence.
- Understanding: Develop understanding of individuals, communities and global issues using social awareness and empathy.
- Confidence: Grow confidence in being immersed in a new culture and learning in new settings.
What our students say about the CEP
Watch this 2-minute video to hear the testimonials of Georgina and Zaira, two Year 11 participating students of this programme in a previous edition!