International student exchange programs promise opportunity, cultural immersion, and safety. But what happens when oversight fails?

In this episode of Crossing the Line, host Joelle Casteix speaks with Danielle Grijalva, founder of the Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students, who has spent nearly two decades documenting cases of abuse, exploitation, and systemic failure within the international exchange industry.

Drawing on thousands of reported cases, this conversation exposes critical gaps in oversight—from inadequate background checks and lack of accountability to the silencing of vulnerable students far from home.

This episode is essential listening for parents, educators, and policymakers navigating student exchange programs.

In this episode:

• The reality behind international exchange program safety
• Patterns of abuse and exploitation in host placements
• Why reporting systems often fail students
• Key questions every parent should ask before sending a child abroad
• What educators can do when something doesn’t seem right

If you’re considering a student exchange program—or working with exchange students—this conversation may change how you think about safety and oversight.

Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students: https://csfes.org/