American-Scandinavian Student Exchange Program (ASSE) initially started as an American-Scandinavian student exchange program in the 1930's by the Swedish Government, ASSE was incorporated in 1976 as the American Scandanavian Student Exchange. We have since grown to maintain 38 offices in 31 countries and accommodate more than 30,000 host families and high school age students annually in its programs in the participating countries, thus we no longer focus on Scandinavia and go instead by "ASSE." In addition to our high school student exchange program, ASSE is also affiliated with and /or owns an au pair exchange program, a trainee exchange visitor program and a summer/work travel program and thus are committed to and knowlegeable about the J-1 exchange program as a tool to facilitate international cooperation and mutual exchange. We also coordinate regualary with Canadian provincial education ministers, are certified by the New Zealand Ministry of Education, and maintain and develop close ties with educational and other public institutions i many of the countries where we have representative offices. We regularly hold, and attend, international conferences concernign international education and international exchange