The American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation is pleased to introduce the Mandarin Language Exchange Program (MLEP).

The increasing number of American schools offering Mandarin instruction combined with a growing number of families wanting to expose their children to the Mandarin language has provided the impetus for this historical new program.

Participating American high schools will assist the AIFS Foundation’s Academic Year in America (AYA) program with identifying families interested in hosting a Chinese exchange student.  The school will also find a Local Coordinator (LC) in the area who is responsible for supervising students throughout the year, checking regularly with the student, host family and high school and submitting reports to the AYA national office.

As the premier name in cultural exchange and international education, AIFS offers myriad programs for people of all ages.  MLEP participants will receive:

Scholarships to Study in Nanjing with Summer Advantage
AIFS Summer Advantage allows high school students to spend a summer abroad, earning college credits at some of the most desirable locations in the world.  MLEP host families will receive a $500 scholarship for their child to study in Nanjing, China with AIFS Summer Advantage.  Participating schools will also be given an AIFS Nanjing $500 scholarship to award to a student of their choosing.

Scholarships for tours of China with ACIS
AYA’s sister company ACIS offers study/travel programs around the world for American high school groups.  Schools that participate in the Mandarin Language Exchange Program will receive $500 to use towards one of ACIS’ trips to China.

Faculty trips to China
Schools that participate on the Mandarin Language Exchange Program will also have the unique opportunity to send members of their faculty to China on a group study program.  This initiative will help facilitate the instruction of Mandarin language in American schools and promote Sino-American relations through a unique cultural exchange opportunity.

For more information on how you can get involved in the AIFS Mandarin Language Exchange Program, please contact: