The Student Exchange Organization That Puts People First

For over 40 years, United Studies has helped people experience the United States through safe, meaningful cultural exchange. We believe international exchange should feel personal, supported, and built on trust.

Our Mission

United Studies exists to create cultural exchange experiences that truly change lives. We help students, families, employers, coordinators, and international partners connect through programs that are built around real people, not just processes.

International exchange can be complex. Visa rules are strict. Expectations must be clear. When support is missing, the experience can quickly become stressful for everyone involved. Our mission is to remove that uncertainty and replace it with clarity, care, and confidence.

What Makes Our International Exchange Programs Different

What makes United Studies unique is our hands on, personal approach. That allows us to stay involved before, during, and after each placement. We know our participants by name. We know our host families, coordinators, employers, and partners. When questions or challenges arise, we are present and responsive.

We also bring deep experience. As a U.S. Department of State designated sponsor with more than three decades in international exchange, we understand the responsibility that comes with placing students and participants in American communities. Our programs are carefully structured, compliant, and built around safety, communication, and the right fit.

Most importantly, we believe cultural exchange works best when it feels human. Sharing meals, routines, classrooms, workplaces, and everyday life creates understanding that lasts far beyond the program itself. That belief shapes everything we do.

Department of State Designation

United Studies, Inc. is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a sponsor for the Academic Year Program and the Work and Travel Program. United Studies, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental organization receiving no funding from the U.S. or any other government for its operations. No United Studies, Inc. J-1 participants receive government funding.

United Studies has been found by The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) to have fulfilled all of the requirements for listing and has been granted J1 listing for the Advisory List of International Educational Travel and Exchange Programs.

Meet the Team Behind the Experience

The United Studies team is made up of people who care deeply about cultural exchange and the people it impacts. From program coordination to participant support, our team works closely with students, families, employers, coordinators, and partners to ensure every experience is guided, supported, and meaningful.

Greg White President & CEO

After completing his studies at the University of Oklahoma, Greg began his career with international exchange programs. Shortly after his employment began in 1988, Greg was asked to take on the role of President, as he still serves today. Over the years, United Studies has seen thousands of students from a variety of countries successfully complete programs offered through United Studies. Greg has been very involved with the development of international exchange on a global level. Much of his involvement places a focus on the safety, health, and welfare of international participants. Greg served on the Board of the Council on Standards for International Exchange and Travel (CSIET). Over his six-year term with CSIET, he served on the Executive Committee, Model School Policy Committee, as well as Secretary and Treasurer. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis, hiking, running, and travel. Greg has three sons and a daughter from Russia.

Mason White Tech & CRM

Hallie Kisselburg Summer Work & Travel Program

Hallie has over two decades of experience working in various governmental positions. She is also a registered licensed dental assistant. Throughout her professional life, she has worked with people in best and worse-case scenarios and excels in helping them navigate any situation they encounter. Hallie has had the pleasure of meeting many people from various locations around the world – she enjoys learning about other countries and their cultures. Because cultural exchange takes many forms, Hallie stresses the importance of true cross-cultural exchange so that everyone around the world may experience the many ways of other countries, including the differences and similarities of customs. Her passion for international learning and helping others fulfill their dreams to learn and experience the world are a driving force in her work and personal life. Hallie’s experience working in governmental regulations, protocols and system analyses provides a unique skillset to create and escalate best practices across United Studies’ programs. Additionally, she regularly develops methods to reach the incoming and existing SWT exchange visitors to create the most positive experience and growth opportunity possible. When not at work, Hallie enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling with her two children.

Jenifer Mitchell Summer Work & Travel Program

Jen comes to us with an eclectic background in government, legal, and insurance industries. For almost two decades she worked in government and legal settings and then received her licensing in many fields of insurance primarily working on natural disaster deployments. Her academic background is in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Communication and Sociology along with a certification in Paralegal Studies. She has a passion for helping others and learning. She traveled extensively around the United States while working and internationally on her free time. She has had a lifelong passion for learning and knowing other cultures outside of her own. Her family and friends’ cultural backgrounds are also diverse with having family relocated from Europe. Her and her husband believe it is important for their children to learn via experiences and culture and place heavy emphasis on teaching them those things via travel. Jen believes her past employment combined with her maternal compass led her to United Studies to be able to use the combined set of skills to help participants in the programs comfortably navigate from their home countries to the United States.

Nancy Parker Summer Work & Travel Program

Nancy re-joined United Studies in 2021 following a diverse, 30+ year public relations and development career in the healthcare, legal, and higher education industries. She earned her B.A. from Henderson State University. Nancy is accredited in public relations (APR) and brings a broad knowledge of non-profit and for-profit businesses to the team. Throughout her career, Nancy worked with many international and American students during their work-study internships. She also helped students navigate online scholarship applications. Nancy first worked with United Studies in 2012 helping with new exchange visitor site visits. Nancy and her husband are proud of their two sons and enjoy their family pets — a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, a cat, chickens, a red-eared slider and fish. They also find joy in the wealth of neighborhood and school friends who like to drop in, eat, and hang out. The Parkers live in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Nancy’s favorite hobbies are watching her boys sail and play lacrosse, beekeeping, photography, cooking, boating, and traveling.

Samantha Brown High School Programs

Samantha brings over 10 years of experience in the international education industry, with a diverse background that includes roles as a Designated School Official (DSO), Local Coordinator, Manager, and Administrative/School Specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History, Spanish, and Sociology from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and a Master of Science in Communication from Drexel University. Through each role, Samantha has developed a deep understanding of student placement, host family recruitment, and school partnerships. She approaches her work with professionalism, care, and a strong commitment to student success. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys reading, spending time with her family and dog, and traveling. She brings these values of family and community into her role through a supportive and highly invested approach.

Sandee Ogilvie High School Programs

With over 30 years in Cultural Exchange, Sandee has served in leadership roles ranging from National Director of Client Services to CEO, managing Au Pair, J1, and F1 programs. Her expertise includes establishing international partnerships, non-profit operations, and dispute resolution. A host parent since 1992, Sandee is passionate about fostering strong connections between students and families. A UCLA graduate, she relocated from California to Georgia in 2020, where she lives with her husband, four adult children, and four Papillons.

Brittany Hartness High School Program

Brittany Hartness brings 14 years of passion to the international exchange industry. Her journey has taken her from host sister and Local Coordinator to Regional Director, giving her a deep appreciation for the “dream makers” who make student placement possible. She is dedicated to being a hands-on mentor for Coordinators across the U.S. Brittany lives on a cattle farm in southwest Arkansas with her husband, Evan, and son, Aiden. When she isn’t working, she enjoys gardening, reading, and growing her avid frog collection.

Konnie Reed High School Programs

Jacki Dyrholm High School Programs

After answering an advertisement looking for host families for exchange students in 2012, Jacki and her family wholeheartedly embraced the program and became active participants in the exchange student community. She believes that growing up around the world as a US Navy “brat”, living in Denmark after her university studies, and being a multi-cultural family has helped prepare her and her family for hosting and working with exchange students. She and her family live in the Washington DC metro area with six dogs (plus foster dogs from various animal rescues), horses, reptiles, and other small animals. Besides trying to convince everyone they need to host an exchange student, Jacki enjoys traveling, photography, blogging, cooking, puzzling and reading. She is happy to be a part of the United Studies team and to continue to expand her knowledge of the world through student exchange.

Danielle Allenbrand High School and Camp Program

Danielle’s passion for cultural exchange began in high school when her family hosted students from France and China. Those fond memories of being a host sister stayed with her, inspiring her to welcome students into her own home once she became a mother. This personal passion naturally evolved into a career with United Studies, where she began as a Local Coordinator before joining the central office team.

Danielle is dedicated to helping participants, families, and camps have successful, transformative experiences. She believes that everyone grows through exchange and values the unique life lessons found in every shared memory. Outside of work, Danielle and her husband enjoy life with their two children and an “ever-growing family” of international students. You can usually find her tending to her plants, striking up conversations with new people, or recharging at the beach. Danielle is driven by a simple goal: to make the world a smaller place through exchange.

Gail Leopold Camp Program

Previously from Connecticut and now living in Westchester, New York, Gail has been in the J1 industry for over 35 years. Having gained much experience during that time by visiting camps, meeting with directors, conducting orientations for participants both abroad and in the U.S., and as an American Camp Association Standards Visitor, she continues to endeavor matching participants with camps so a great experience is had by both camp and counselor. She brings to United Studies her knowledge of camps and expertise in the J1 field to help increase market share and share her joy in making placements that ensure a successful camp experience for everyone.

Kelcey Bajc Camp Program

Living on site at a Summer Camp in Pennsylvania, Kelcey brings unique insight into the needs of the Camping Industry regarding staff. She has 15 years of executive experience at Camps that includes working with international participants on their J1 Visa. She infuses her love of the camping industry into her work here at United Studies and broadens her horizons by developing new relationships with our international partners and camps. Kelcey and her husband, Dan (a Summer Camp Director), have 2 beautiful young girls who grow up witnessing the positive impact of Camps while getting to meet some truly amazing folks from around the world.

Explore Our International Exchange Programs

Ready to explore the U.S. as an exchange visitor? We have work and study abroad programs that fit every international exchange student’s dreams. Learn more about our complete culture and language immersion programs in the United States:

Teenage Students Laughing Studying Outdoors

U.S. High School Immersion

Want to experience American high school? This immersive program is built around learning, family life, and culture.

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Mother And Daughter Preparing Meal Together

U.S. Homestay Program

Our homestay programs help you live like a local and build language immersion through daily life. Lengths vary to fit your desired exchange timeline.

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Summer Camp Program

Join a U.S. summer camp as a counselor or staff member for a fun, skill-building cultural immersion experience you won’t forget!

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Female Students Talking In University Hallway

Work and Travel Program

Want to explore the U.S. but can’t just go on vacation? Our work and travel program let’s you grow your finances and travel the nation.

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Apply

Find Your Path to Cultural Exchange

Looking for a student, a job, a host family, or a partner? We can serve your needs. Pick the role that fits you best, and we’ll help you find great placements.

College Students Collaborating Digital Learning

Exchange Visitors

Want to visit the U.S. and grow through cultural exchange? We help you find the right program, coordinate your visa, and support you while you are here.

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Host Families

Bring the world to your home! Host families welcome an exchange visitor to the U.S. In return, they get a life changing cultural experience.

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Multicultural Students Study Group Library

Local Coordinators

Love people and culture? Our local coordinators connect students and families, and help everyone in a cultural exchange thrive.

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U.S. Employers & Camps

Does your business have a seasonal rush? Welcoming global participants not only handles the seasonal workload but also broadens the cultural horizons of your team. Plus, with United Studies, you’ll get help from a sponsor that stays involved and supports the whole process.

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International Students Walking With Flags

International Partners

Need a U.S. sponsor that is responsive and service driven? We welcome partner agencies worldwide and guide clear steps from inquiry to exchange visitor placement.

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Apply

Stories From Our Student Exchange Programs

Students, host families, coordinators, and employers all rave about our education and cultural exchange programs. Read about it from our friends, communities, and successful placements:

I was 14 when I took my trip to Kansas for a month, it was an incredible experience. It is true that at first I was nervous but it passed as soon as I saw my host family, they are incredible and welcoming people. We carry out many activities together to integrate myself into American life. I met a lot of people, I learned English and about American culture, I also had the chance to celebrate the 4th of July surrounded by my American family and friends. Without a doubt it is an experience that I would repeat a thousand times more, it also helped me to grow as a person and to be more independent.

Irene
Homestay
Spain

We hosted Diego from Spain for a four-week summer program. He and our daughter bonded immediately as siblings and they enjoyed riding horses together. As a family we enjoyed hiking and having family BBQs. Even though he was only with us for a short time, we still keep in touch through social media!

The Dyrholm Family
Host Family

I’m so thankful for my host family. They welcomed me to their home at the very last minute, without knowing me at all, and now I can’t imagine not knowing them.

Kristyna
J1 Program
Czech Republic

I am so thankful for this wonderful family that welcomed me with open arms and the biggest smiles. I love them so much guys and I am truly so grateful that I got to spend my exchange year with them!

Margareta
J1 Program
Czech Republic

I had never played softball before, but the first ever ball I was supposed to hit in a game, I touched it with my bat!!! That was awesome and so much fun.

Melissa
J1 Program
Germany

My family has enjoyed getting to know Eliska and she fits in great just like one of us and we have had a great time building that relationship. Her and my daughter get along like sisters. Hosting has been a lot of fun. We are a busy family but I feel like we have done some extra fun things just to see the area that we don’t normally do.

Candyce
Host Family

We have a wonderful relationship and feel we have all truly bonded with Luise. It’s hard to imagine life without her now. We’ve grown as a family and realized even more the importance of time and spending out time making memories and sharing experiences.

Lori
Host Family

I believe this was a fabulous experience for my whole family. My daughter has made a friend for life and we have shared in the learning experience of parenting another teen. It was not without its ups and downs, however I think we all learned things about ourselves that will help us in the future whether it be patience, or compassion or handling miscommunications. All these skills have been noteworthy.

Wendy
Host Family

Sergio has been such a sweet addition to our family! In the small time we have been together we have experienced rich life together. He experienced a robust American Thanksgiving meal, we enjoyed dancing and eating our way through Christmas and attended a Pacers game, ice skating, indoor tennis facility, movie theater, Christmas lights, FIFA video games, and lots of laughs! He told about his Mexican traditions and we have shared ours. We love our exchange son!

Laura
Host Family

I was an exchange student in 2020-2021. The amazing Ross family from North Carolina was my amazing host family. We stayed in touch after I got back to Germany. They feel like my second home away from home. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to find such special people who I call now my family. Marion, North Carolina will always be my most favorite place on earth and I’m so appreciative for all the great memories and people I got to meet.

Maribel
J1 Program
Germany