Since 2000, Forte International Exchange Association has offered the opportunity for academic and cultural exchange to international high school students who would like to come to the United States on a J-1 Visa. Public diplomacy is at the core of the J-1 Visa exchange program. Our students learn about American culture, customs and ideals while living with American host families and attending high school. Host families in return learn about the customs, culture and ideals of the students they host. FIEA has close partnerships with overseas agents that carefully screen and select students with the appropriate age, background, English language skills and attitude for participating in the international exchange program, while American host families are screened through a process that includes a criminal background check, home inspection and host family interview. FIEA is regulated by the U.S. Department of State guidelines, ensures that each Local Representative is certified by the Department of State and adheres closely to the rules and regulations that are in place to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of each student. FIEA is an independent nonprofit educational and cultural exchange program based in the Greater Washington, DC area. FIEA is a designated sponsor for the J-1 Visa. FIEA is endorsed by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)