While International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES), an international student academic and exchange organization, for 30 years have been dedicated to promoting international awareness and cultural understanding and headquartered in the US, its branch ICES Cambodia has only been in the Kingdom for just about two years. 

However, the speed at which ICES Cambodia’s popularity is going make it a key player in enhancing the nation’s education. 

In November 2019, Mengly J. Quach Education (MJQE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES) to bring the youth exchange organization committed to educational study abroad programs to the Kingdom. Since then, ICES Cambodia has been assisting ICES in recruiting and screening students to ensure each student is emotionally and culturally prepared for attending oversea school. 

“ICES Cambodia administers language exams and conduct interviews with students and parents prior to accepting them into the ICES program,” said Eun Lee, ICES Cambodia Senior International Relations Officer, herself also a former exchange student in the US. 

“There are many Cambodian students looking for the opportunity to study abroad but they wait until university. Now with ICES, students don’t need to wait until university to study abroad.”

Currently, ICES Cambodia provides two types of study exchange programs: the High School Exchange Program (J-1) and High School Value Program (F-1). 

The J1 Program, which has been sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the United States Department of State, allows students to study in an accredited high school and live with an American host family in all 50 states for one academic years, during which they receive support from states and local coordinators and student counselors.

Meanwhile, the F1 program is designed for students who are looking to study multiple years in the USA and receive a high school diploma. This is the recommended program for students or parent who are more budget conscious and flexible with their school choice.

To be eligible for either program, a student has to be in high school, have a minimum of a C average in all courses taken over the past three years, and demonstrate acceptable scores on English Test for International Students (ELTiS). Certainly, they also need the maturity to deal with challenges of adapting to another culture and communicating in a foreign language.

“Students who are in between the ages of 15-18 can go study abroad, to get the experience they need to see how it is to live in another country, experience the educational system abroad, become more independent and mature, meet new people and try something on their own,” Lee added. 

“So what are you waiting for? Come to sign up for a life-changing experience now!”    

Prepared for your future for by signing up for a High School Exchange Program with ICES Cambodia! Register now to take the English Test: https://forms.gle/3qifKLu79f4hx5uB7 .

Go to https://t.me/icescambodia or call us at 077 777 244 / 098 686 901 for more information.