Transforming Intercultural
Exchange through

Quality Certification

Committed to the safety and wellbeing of participants in an ever changing world , Federation EIL is addressing a collective concern about the lack of regulatory standards in the intercultural exchange field. Federation EIL has addressed this concern by establishing a set of principles and standards in the form of a certification to strengthen organizations, build trust among partners, funders and participants, and ultimately promote more impactful and high-quality exchanges.

Benefits

The certification process can accommodate organizations of all sizes, across a variety of cultural exchange sectors, including: Homestay, Volunteer, Language, Study Abroad, Work Exchange… and More! Some of the main benefits of the FEIL certification are:

The FEIL practice areas & standards

We envision Quality “in practice” through a Certification and a Community that sets the standard for building true program quality. A baseline for interconnected leaders, drivers of a brighter and more prosperous future for the industry.

Five practice areas

To obtain a certification through Federation EIL, organizations must achieve excellence in five practice areas. Each practice area is divided into a series of corresponding ‘principles’ and ‘standards’. Principles are fundamental ethics, based in the Federation’s expectation for high quality and excellence. Standards are the basic requirement, used as a benchmark for measuring each organization’s ability to meet the requirements of the Federation’s certification.

RESPONSIBLE
PRACTICE

Federation EIL is confident that the success of a program requires responsible practice. According to the standards outlined by FEIL, this includes an organization driven by a mission and core values, sound ethical governance and program operations, contributions to cross-cultural understanding, and a commitment to transparency

SAFETY &
SECURITY

Federation EIL values the safety and security of its participants at the highest level during their international education and exchange programs. ‘Safety and security’ must include, but is not limited to participant, homestay host, staff and volunteer, physical, mental and psychosocial wellness throughout the duration of the program.

PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT

Federation EIL believes an exceptional program requires a clear foundation, innovation, practice, and self-reflection. Organizations establishing excellence in program development embark on a cycle self-evaluation, seeking programmatic improvements and enhancements, and learn from their mistakes. By questioning the status quo, organizations push themselves toward more effective programming, maximizing their impact.

MONITORING &
EVALUATION

Federation EIL is dedicated to producing high quality outputs, outcomes and impact, as a result of intercultural learning experiences and exchanges. To achieve exceptional results, it is necessary for organizations to diligently monitor and evaluate their programs. This level of vigilance, includes consistent and thorough data collection, analysis and implementation.

HOMESTAYS

Homestay certification establishes excellence in the safety, selection, support and preparation of homestay hosts and their participants.

The certification process

The Certification is a collaborative, multi-step process, with three main components – A (1) Quality Standards Reflection carried out by the applicant organization, (2) Documentary Evidence review, and a (3) Site Visit by an experienced assessor(s) assigned by FEIL. After completion of the site visit and evidence review, a final decision is made to grant or deny the FEIL certification. This Certification is designed to inspire organizations to operate in a cycle of learning, organizational growth and development among a community of practitioners.

Do you want to take your organization to a higher level?

Download our FREE Information Guide and find out more details to obtain our certification.

Good for people.
Good for organizations.
Good for the world.

Transforming Intercultural
Exchange through quality
Certification

Who we are

Federation EIL members

A pioneer of international exchange programs, Federation EIL have more than 100 years of experience in the field and a history of program innovation and excellence. On the road to 100 years of international experience and leadership in intercultural exchanges, Federation EIL has a solid presence in more than 20 countries and 5 continents.

A network of active and highly experienced practitioners with a long history of success and recognition, Federation EIL has created the IEC to foster excellence and quality in our field offering a common quest for a high quality experiences in intercultural exchanges all over the world.

Join our network of best practice sharing, celebrating and spreading strength and addressing weaknesses. To learn more about us please visit: www.federationeil.org

Certification Review Comittee

While languages are at the core of his professional career, Gonzalo Celorio Morayta has also been closely involved with education, culture, event organization, and administration. He is a member of the Mexican College of Conference Interpreters, for which he has been entrusted with management responsibilities on the Executive Committee over six administrative termt, including vice president of the organization. As a translator, he has published with Simon and Schuster—Aguilar, the Fondo de Cultura Económica and El Colegio de México, among others. His textbooks have been published by Richmond Publishing, Santillana, the University of Dayton, and Grupo SM. In addition, Gonzalo has run CM Idiomas for 7 years, a company which evolved from the first association of translators and interpreters in Latin America. Under his leadership, CM Idiomas has become one of the primary providers of language services in the region. Since 2016 he has been Chair of the Executive Committee of the Italia Morayta Foundation. In that role, he leads the organizing committee of the International Forum for Interpreters and Translators Lenguas, which was held for the first time in September 2017. It was in this context that the survey study on translation and interpreting in Mexico, sponsored by the Foundation, was presented. He also sits as vice chair on the Board of Hands Offering Hope, a non-for-profit organization that works with unprivileged young men and women in Quintana Roo; Mexico to provide them with the opportunity to dream and pursue their bold goals

Carola Flor International Programs Director at EIL Ecuador. I have been involved in the exchange activity for almost 30 years, leading groups from different countries, ages and programs. I started the activity on 1991 as a English Programs Assistant at Quito Language and Culture Center. After that I worked as Outbound Department assistant for 2 years. 20 Years as a local coordinator, families coordinator, students advisor, host mother. Program development in Riobamba. Since 2014 I got involved at EIL as a Programs Coordinator and one year later as Incoming Programs Director I have studies of Andean Medicine and Cosmovision, Climate Change, Feminism Theories. Carola is also part of the Standards Certification Committee of the FEIL and was part of the team who works on the EIL Ecuador Quality accreditation.

Dr. Aaron Morehouse (he/him/his) brings 20 years of experience building education programs and growing social and environmental impact organizations. From engaging startups to navigating global organizations and complex networks of partnerships--Aaron has led experiential education programs in dozens of countries around the Aaron is a Senior Partner at Brimstone Consulting Group where he facilitates leadership development and business strategy with corporate executives. Additionally Aaron consults with social and environmental impact organizations on strategy and impact acceleration. Aaron previously served as Executive Director of The Experiment in International Living (USA), Vice President for Innovation and Advancement at World Learning, and Executive Director at The Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute. Aaron has a doctorate in Education and Sustainability from Prescott College, is a wilderness and outdoor enthusiast.