ASSE was established in 1976 as the American Scandinavian Student Exchange by the Swedish Government to organize student exchange programs between Sweden and the United States. Soon Denmark, Norway and Finland elected to participate. Since then, the program has grown to include: Great Britain, Canada, France, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Italy, Japan, Spain, Korea, Holland, Thailand, Portugal, China, Mongolia, Czech Republic, Poland, Taiwan, Romania, Moldova, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Slovakia, Australia, Turkey, Serbia, Estonia, New Zealand, Lithuania, Ukraine, USA and South Africa. ASSE is designated as an Exchange Visitor Program by the US Department of State. ASSE works closely with the Canadian provincial education ministries and is approved by the Ministry of Education in New Zealand. ASSE maintains 38 offices in 31 countries and accommodates more than 30,000 high school age students and host families in its programs in participating countries. The best way to truly become involved in the culture of a foreign country is to live among its people as a member of a family. ASSE Host Families understand that it is a privilege to welcome students into their home and country! For more information about becoming or hosting an ASSE student to or from one of our 38 countries, go to www.assehosts.com or email to info@asse.com.