World Link, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization, based in Kalona, Iowa, whose purpose is to provide international cross-cultural exchange opportunities for students and educators. Many of World Link’s programs focus on agriculture and rural constituencies.

World Link was established in 1993 as a subcontractor to the National FFA Organization. During this year, FFA, in cooperation with the US Department of State, started an active exchange program with the countries of the former Soviet Union. It was necessary for the FFA to have an office in the former Soviet Union and World Link was contacted to establish this field office and help to administer the program overseas. In 1995, World Link expanded its role with FFA and became the field office in the United States for the World Experience Abroad Program (WEA). World Link maintained it’s cooperation with the FFA Organization up until December of 2003 when FFA made the decision to exit active exchange programs and focus on curriculum issues relating to international.

World Link currently administers several exchange programs. Here are brief summaries along with links to those pages.

Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX): World Link serves as a placement organization for the FLEX Program sponsored by the Freedom Support Act and administered by the US Department of State. High School students from Eurasia are placed with US host families and enrolled in American high schools for a period of one year.

Youth Exchange & Studies Program (Afghanistan): World Link is subcontracting with American Councils for International Education to provide placement services for high school students from Afghanistan. The students are a part of a new effort by the US Department of State to reach out to the “successor generation” of predominantly Moslem countries.

World Experience Abroad (WEA): American agricultural students can travel abroad to gain practical agricultural skill training in various countries. Students live with host families and receive training on the host’s farm. Students receive a stipend that helps to reimburse the cost of the program and travel.

International Agricultural Training Abroad (IATA): Agricultural students from countries outside the USA, can apply to receive agricultural career training in the USA. Trainees are assigned to training sites that match their interest area. Trainees receive a stipend that allows them to pay for their program, living expenses and travel costs. This program is currently not operational as World Link is seeking approval from the U.S. Government.

School Linkage: High schools in the USA are matched up with high schools in another country in a partnership arrangement. Exchange trips, Internet classroom sessions and pen pal relationships are popular results of these programs.

Hosting: World Link provides many opportunities for American families to host an international student. There are hosting opportunities with the FLEX and IATA Programs. Check out our hosting section and the information pages for these two programs for more details.

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