CCI, the well-respected, nonprofit student exchange organization founded in 1985, is in need of host families eager to bring the world to their own communities by hosting a foreign exchange student for the 2008-09 school year.

Over the last 24 years, CCI has been working with more than 65 countries around the world to participate in several exchange programs. In 2009 CCI, an organization that prides itself in bringing the world together, requests that willing host families help them place all of their students before the Aug. 31 deadline.

"For the upcoming year, families are needed more than ever to help CCI meet its requirements. We believe that this program can improve the world's view of the U.S., and help host families have an amazing experience," says Lori Tibbett, director of AYP Placement Services for CCI.

"We want people to understand that they are needed to help many young foreign exchange students to realize their dream of visiting America. It's an opportunity to open a window to the world and learn about other cultures, traditions and languages -- not just through a textbook, but through real world encounters."

According to Tibbett, after the experience host families and students benefit greatly from their widened worldview.

The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) conducted a survey of students, families and school officials, who have recently participated in the program.

Nearly 100 percent of school respondents agreed that "hosting a foreign exchange student supports international awareness by providing opportunities for both our student body and the exchange student to learn about both the U.S. and the exchange student's culture -- further demonstrating that youth exchange programs are an effective tool to bring international awareness to school communities.

For more information, potential host families can visit the Web site www.cci-exchange.com/host.htm, e-mail at ayp@cci-exhange.com or call CCI's toll-free information number at 800-634-4771.

Established in 1985, The Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is a non-profit international education exchange organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development and world peace.

CCI is recognized by the U.S. Department of State as an official exchange visit program sponsor.

Based in Chicago, Ill., CCI organizes high school exchange, short-term group homestay, internship, work and travel, and language study programs in the United States and over 30 countries around the world.