ASSIST (organization)

ASSIST is a non-profit organization with tax-exempt status incorporated in the state of Vermont. To promote mutual understanding, cultural interchange and a more peaceful world, ASSIST provides opportunities for outstanding international students to attend the finest American independent secondary schools on one-year scholarships, and for students and teachers from these schools to engage in educational experiences abroad. ASSIST is an acronym for American Secondary Schools for International Students and Teachers.

ASSIST is recognized by the United States Department of State as an authorized Exchange Visitor Program and is listed with CSIET. This special arrangement allows ASSIST to use the services of American facilities and staff overseas and has made possible the endorsement and support of international government officials. ASSIST is also able to facilitate the issuance of the J-1 visa under which our students study in the U.S. for one academic year on Exchange Visitor status.

History

ASSIST was founded in 1969 by the late Paul G. Sanderson Jr., an American educator. Mr. Sanderson began with a class of 13 students from Germany. It has expanded to numerous other regions (including central and eastern Europe as well as southeast Asia) and has brought to member schools scholars from countries underrepresented in their student bodies.

After the death of Sanderson in 1986, Kenneth and Betsy Lindfors were appointed to lead ASSIST, and during their 13-year tenure ASSIST expanded substantially. Following their retirement in 2000, the ASSIST Board of Directors named Robert and Anne Stanley as the third leadership team in ASSIST's history.

More than 3,400 students from 35 countries have become ASSIST scholars.

Member Schools

All ASSIST member schools are independent high schools and are members of the NAIS (National Association of Independent High Schools). Every school agrees to accept at least one international student on a full scholarship. The scholarship includes tuition, room and board for a boarding student, tuition and volunteer host family for a day student. Scholarships are offered for one year only, after which the scholar has to return home to complete his or her secondary education.

ASSIST reviews the schools twice annually. Each school is visited by ASSIST staff and volunteers to ensure that the programs available meet the needs of the talented students who apply to the ASSIST program.

These are the current member schools:
*Agnes Irwin School, PA
*Albuquerque Academy, NM
*Asheville School, NC
*Berkshire School, MA
*Bosque School, NM
*Brentwood School (Los Angeles), CA
*The Buckley School, CA
*Canterbury School, IN
*Catlin Gabel School, OR
*Chadwick School, CA
*Chatham Hall, VA
*Choate Rosemary Hall, CT
*Christ Church Episcopal School, SC
*Christ School, NC
*Christchurch School, VA
*Colorado Springs School, CO
*Community School, VA
*Cranbrook Schools, MI
*Culver Academies, IN
*Darlington School, GA
*Deerfield Academy, MA
*Dublin School, NH
*Episcopal Academy, PA
*Episcopal High School, FL
*Episcopal High School, VA
*Fountain Valley School, CO
*Francis Parker School, CA
*Friends Academy, NY
*Gould Academy, ME
*Hackley School, NY
*Head-Royce School, CA
*Hebron Academy, ME
*The Hill School, PA
*Hockaday School, TX
*Hotchkiss School, CT
*Indian Springs School, AL
*Kents Hill School, ME
*Lake Forest Academy, IL
*The Lawrenceville School, NJ
*Maret School, DC
*The Masters School, NY
*Maumee Valley Country Day School, OH
*The McCallie School, TN
*Mercersburg Academy, PA
*Miss Hall’s School, MA
*Montgomery Bell Academy, TN
*National Cathedral School, DC
*North Shore Country Day School, IL
*Northfield Mount Hermon School, MA
*Overlake School, WA
*Park Tudor School, IN
*Peddie School, NJ
*Pomfret School, CT
*Porter-Gaud School, SC
*Princeton Day School, NJ
*The Putney School, VT
*Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, GA
*Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School, UT
*Salem Academy, NC
*Salisbury School, CT
*Solebury School, PA
*St. Albans School, DC
*St. Andrew’s School, DE
*St. Andrew’s School, FL
*St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, TN
*St. George’s School, RI
*St. Mark’s School of Texas, TX
*St. Paul’s School, NH
*Stony Brook School, NY
*Suffield Academy, CT
*The Taft School, CT
*Trinity Preparatory School, FL
*Washington International School, DC
*Wayland Academy, WI
*Webb School, TN
*Western Reserve Academy, OH
*Westminster School, CT
*Westover School, CT
*Westtown School, PA
*White Mountain School, NH
*The Williston Northampton School, MA
*The Winsor School, MA
*Woodberry Forest School, VA
*Wyoming Seminary. PA

ASSIST countries

Since its inception, ASSIST has drawn students from the following nations. In a typical year, the organization operates in 12-15 countries. At present ASSIST is working with the countries in bold.

*Albania
*Australia
*Austria
*Azerbaijan
*Belgium
*Bosnia and Herzegovina
*Botswana
*Brazil
*Bulgaria
*China
*Croatia
*Czech Republic
*Denmark
*Estonia
*Finland
*France
*Gambia
*Germany
*Hungary
*India
*Italy
*Kenya
*Latvia
*Lithuania
*Macedonia
*Mongolia
*Netherlands
*Nigeria
*Norway
*Slovakia
*Spain
*Sweden
*Switzerland
*Vietnam
*Yugoslavia

Current Programs

tudent programs

*One year scholarship program: International students spent one year at a private high school in the United States of America
*Olomouc Summer Institute For Young Leaders: American students spent a month of study in the Czech Republic

Teacher programs

*Arts, Politics And Culture: American teachers attend a weeklong workshop in Prague, Czech Republic
*European Unity: American teachers attend a weeklong workshop in Brussels, Belgium
*Modern Germany – East Meets West: American teachers attend a weeklong educational seminar in Berlin, Germany

References

External links

* [http://www.assist-inc.org/ ASSIST USA]