The Real America
Each year, more than 500 FLAG J-1 exchange students discover the United States beyond headlines—through everyday friendships, host families, schools, and communities that show what America is truly like.
Beyond the Narrative: A Safe, Supported View
FLAG helps students understand the difference between political noise and lived experience, offering a safe, supported exchange where culture, connection, and learning lead the story.
exchange
America Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Politics™
• The J-1 Secondary School Program has existed for decades under every
political administration—Democratic and Republican.
• It is considered a public diplomacy program, not an immigration pathway.
• The U.S. State Department, not political parties, oversees it as a bipartisan national priority.
Reflection Point: Exchange programs are among the most stable and least politicized forms of international engagement the U.S. maintains.
• It is considered a public diplomacy program, not an immigration pathway.
• The U.S. State Department, not political parties, oversees it as a bipartisan national priority.
Reflection Point: Exchange programs are among the most stable and least politicized forms of international engagement the U.S. maintains.
• Host families volunteer because they want cultural connection, not for political
reasons.
• These families come from all backgrounds and are motivated by curiosity, generosity, and the desire to give a young person a transformative year.
Reflection Point: Students live with families, not politicians.
• These families come from all backgrounds and are motivated by curiosity, generosity, and the desire to give a young person a transformative year.
Reflection Point: Students live with families, not politicians.
• Students are supported by local coordinators, schools, and certified sponsoring
organizations whose work stays the same regardless of global events.
• FLAG and other sponsors operate under strict Federal regulations and have 24/7 support systems that do not fluctuate with political cycles.
Reflection Point: The support your child receives is stable, regulated, and apolitical.
• FLAG and other sponsors operate under strict Federal regulations and have 24/7 support systems that do not fluctuate with political cycles.
Reflection Point: The support your child receives is stable, regulated, and apolitical.
• Even during moments of geopolitical tension, Americans consistently
distinguish international students from international politics.
• Exchange students often report increased kindness because people see them as cultural ambassadors.
• Long-running, U.S. government–funded scholarship exchange programs reflect this reality. The FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) program was created to bring students from Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia—including countries of the former Soviet Union—into American homes and schools.The YES (Kennedy–Lugar Youth Exchange and Study) program brings students from countries with significant Muslim populations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Eurasia.
• Both FLEX and YES have operated continuously for decades—across multiple U.S. administrations—even during periods of international tension, conflict, or political disagreement.
Reflection Point: Exchange students continue to be welcomed warmly across U.S. communities—even when governments disagree.
• Exchange students often report increased kindness because people see them as cultural ambassadors.
• Long-running, U.S. government–funded scholarship exchange programs reflect this reality. The FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) program was created to bring students from Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia—including countries of the former Soviet Union—into American homes and schools.The YES (Kennedy–Lugar Youth Exchange and Study) program brings students from countries with significant Muslim populations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Eurasia.
• Both FLEX and YES have operated continuously for decades—across multiple U.S. administrations—even during periods of international tension, conflict, or political disagreement.
Reflection Point: Exchange students continue to be welcomed warmly across U.S. communities—even when governments disagree.
• Exchange builds empathy, communication skills, and resilience.
• It teaches students how to navigate differences thoughtfully—an invaluable skill in a changing world.
• This is a historically important time to be an exchange student in the U.S., when firsthand understanding matters more than headlines.”
Reflection Point: Your child won’t be shaped by U.S. politics. They will be shaped by friendships.
• It teaches students how to navigate differences thoughtfully—an invaluable skill in a changing world.
• This is a historically important time to be an exchange student in the U.S., when firsthand understanding matters more than headlines.”
Reflection Point: Your child won’t be shaped by U.S. politics. They will be shaped by friendships.
• In 2024, the United States welcomed about 1.4 million new permanent legal immigrants — more than any other country in the world.
• Every year, the U.S. grants roughly 1 million green cards (legal permanent residency).
• The U.S. is home to 53 million foreign-born residents, the largest number of immigrants of any country globally.
Reflection Point: The U.S. has a long, stable tradition of welcoming people who arrive legally — including exchange students. Legal, structured programs are seen as part of America’s identity.
• Every year, the U.S. grants roughly 1 million green cards (legal permanent residency).
• The U.S. is home to 53 million foreign-born residents, the largest number of immigrants of any country globally.
Reflection Point: The U.S. has a long, stable tradition of welcoming people who arrive legally — including exchange students. Legal, structured programs are seen as part of America’s identity.
Even when political debates become loud, national surveys consistently show:
• About 80% of Americans believe immigration is good for the country.
• A majority want legal immigration to stay the same or increase.
• Over 60% believe students, skilled workers, and exchange visitors make the U.S. stronger.
Reflection Point: J-1 exchange students are not controversial. Exchange students arrive legally, with full documentation, insurance, academic placement, and sponsor oversight. Americans view these programs positively and see them as enriching their communities.
• About 80% of Americans believe immigration is good for the country.
• A majority want legal immigration to stay the same or increase.
• Over 60% believe students, skilled workers, and exchange visitors make the U.S. stronger.
Reflection Point: J-1 exchange students are not controversial. Exchange students arrive legally, with full documentation, insurance, academic placement, and sponsor oversight. Americans view these programs positively and see them as enriching their communities.
The J-1 Secondary School Program is regulated directly by the U.S. Department of State under federal law. This means:
• Sponsors must follow strict safety and vetting requirements for host families.
• Host families undergo background checks, interviews, reference verification, and home visits.
• Students are supported by local coordinators, 24/7 emergency contacts, and trained staff.
• All placements are monitored monthly to ensure the well-being of the student.
Reflection Point: The J-1 program is the most supervised youth exchange program in the world. It is completely separate from the immigration debates often seen in the media.
• Sponsors must follow strict safety and vetting requirements for host families.
• Host families undergo background checks, interviews, reference verification, and home visits.
• Students are supported by local coordinators, 24/7 emergency contacts, and trained staff.
• All placements are monitored monthly to ensure the well-being of the student.
Reflection Point: The J-1 program is the most supervised youth exchange program in the world. It is completely separate from the immigration debates often seen in the media.
• American host families are not paid.
• They volunteer to share their culture, home, and daily life with a student from abroad.
• Many are motivated by giving their own children an international experience and building lifelong relationships.
Reflection Point: The J-1 program is uniquely safe and values-based. It is not connected in any way to immigration pressures or economic incentives.
• They volunteer to share their culture, home, and daily life with a student from abroad.
• Many are motivated by giving their own children an international experience and building lifelong relationships.
Reflection Point: The J-1 program is uniquely safe and values-based. It is not connected in any way to immigration pressures or economic incentives.
American leaders (Republican and Democrat) consistently support the J-1 program because:
• It builds international friendships.
• It reduces stereotypes and misunderstandings.
• Students return home with a lifelong connection to the United States.
• It strengthens global cooperation.
Reflection Point: In a time of misinformation and political noise, cultural exchange is one of the few areas of broad, bipartisan agreement.
• It builds international friendships.
• It reduces stereotypes and misunderstandings.
• Students return home with a lifelong connection to the United States.
• It strengthens global cooperation.
Reflection Point: In a time of misinformation and political noise, cultural exchange is one of the few areas of broad, bipartisan agreement.