InterExchangeReviews of interexchange.org

I did my au pair exchange program with InterExchange, where I stayed in the United States for over a year with a host family. Although my host family was very good, my agency and especially my LCC were extremely disappointing. I was placed in the Durham, NC region, and the LCC responsible for the Chapel Hill, Durham, Cary, and Apex area was completely ineffective throughout my entire process. She was not supportive at all. During monthly meetings, she barely spoke to me. She never provided assistance when I needed help and only contacted me once a month because it was mandatory and required for agency reporting purposes. On the few occasions when I had issues with my host family and reached out for support, she did absolutely nothing to help. On the contrary, she consistently favored the host family and dismissed or invalidated my concerns and difficulties. When I decided to return home, she attempted to charge me a fee, claiming it was agency policy — as if I still had to pay after everything. Thankfully, my host family was very reasonable. Before I even said anything, they told me I did not need to pay any fee and even gave me additional financial support to help with my return. After that, the LCC insisted that she needed a written message from my host mom stating that I did not have to pay the fee, even though I had already sent her a screenshot of our conversation clearly showing that my host mom had confirmed I would not be charged. My experience with this LCC was extremely discouraging and disappointing. I often felt unheard, unsupported, and dismissed. I later found out that another au pair under the supervision of this same LCC had a very similar experience, feeling excluded during meetings, unsupported, and ignored when raising concerns. The agency itself has the potential to grow and be more recognized, but they must understand that their reputation depends heavily on the quality and professionalism of their LCCs. As long as they continue to keep representatives who fail to properly support the au pairs under their supervision, their credibility will suffer. I WOULD NOT recommend this agency based on my experience.

It is a good flat porm

I strongly do not recommend this sponsor. I participated in the Work and Travel USA program, and my sponsor was InterExchange. During my entire stay in the U.S., I constantly heard from other participants that whenever they had any kind of problem, InterExchange didn’t care and showed no desire to help. Yet everywhere they advertise and repeat that they are available 24/7 and always ready to help. When the air conditioner in my employer-provided housing broke, I wrote to InterExchange asking them to help me — to somehow encourage my employer to fix it faster — because in another house managed by the same employer, there had been no hot water for over a month. I was worried that my employer would also neglect the air conditioner issue and never fix it. In response, InterExchange wrote to me that my employer was surely aware of the situation and that I always had the right to find other housing on my own. Seriously? I only had a month left before the end of the program, I had already settled in, made friends with my roommates, gotten used to everything — and you “friendly remind” me of something I already know? Throughout the entire summer, my house was infested with cockroaches. A lot of cockroaches. In the end, I wanted to receive compensation from my employer for being placed in unsanitary housing, since cockroaches are known carriers of various infections. There were even times when they fell from the ceiling onto me at night — onto my face — which was definitely not the most pleasant experience of living in the U.S. However, InterExchange spent a month supposedly “looking into it,” but in the end did nothing and resolved nothing. That’s what I call “pretending to be busy.” Not only did they ignore my messages and questions, they often didn’t even understand the point of what I was asking. Instead of real answers, I would get replies like: “We really appreciate you sharing your concerns” or “Thank you for taking the time.” What’s the point of that nonsense and your “appreciation”? You’d better just answer properly and actually help solve the problem. The most difficult question for them — and the most complex logical connection they could not make — was that I supposedly had not reported the cockroach problem. Yet the employer himself confirmed the fact that there were cockroaches and that extermination attempts were useless. According to InterExchange’s logic, living with cockroaches is perfectly fine. Although nowhere in their materials do they say that. So here’s a slogan suggestion for them: “We are InterExchange — with us you’ll have the best cockroach-filled summer in the USA and experience an unforgettable roach adventure! We’ll appreciate your feelings, but we won’t do a damn thing about them!”

It’s clear how each thing is progressing.

I had an amazing experience with InterExchange this summer. From the beginning, they were supportive, professional, and always ready to help with any questions I had. They made the process of coming to the U.S. for my summer camp job smooth and stress-free. Their communication was clear and friendly, and they checked in regularly to make sure everything was going well at camp. Thanks to their guidance, I felt confident and prepared for my job.

First of all, it is important for me to thank interexchange for the opportunity it provides to people to have a great foreign experience. I really like that the platform where people fill with their information is really uncomplicated to use and the selection process is rapid and secure. Furthermore, Interexchange is always attentive to their participants through the monthly surveys (check-ins).

They ensure I got one of the best placements in MD , ensured my departure and arrival back home was monitored and constant check ups on my well being made the experience an exceptional one.

I felt prepared for Visa interviews and appointments, as well as walked through the platform and application process.