How many international guests is “too many”? If you’re the Kitzmiller family, there’s no such thing! Carolyn Kitzmiller has worked with exchange students for 7 years, and during this time her family has hosted countless students.

“I do it for the relationship,” says Carolyn. “And these kids truly have become family to us.”

A warm, open family by nature, the Kitzmillers have fostered such close connections not only with their students but also with their entire families as well.

Even so, Carolyn never anticipated they’d be blessed by an “international family reunion” right in their own home!

“We always love having the kids come back and visit, we tell them our house is always open, and it just so happened that one month in particular we had several of them take us up on it!”

Before she knew it, Carolyn’s house was bursting at the seams with eager international visitors – 3 from Spain, 4 from Germany, 2 from Belgium and 1 from Switzerland!

“We had 15 people staying in our house, and 10 of them were internationals!” remembers Carolyn. “Our friends and neighbors started to tease us about it, saying things like ‘you guys are the United Nations!'”

Racquel from Spain is one of the students who enjoyed this particular visit, together with her brother Alvaro and her best friend Laura.

“So there we were, Laura and me at 16, and my brother 13 years old, on a plane to Chicago to meet Carolyn!” remembers Racquel.  “Being in a house full of people was amazing, there was always someone to talk to or to play volleyball with in the yard. We also had epic movie nights and made really nice dinners all together.”

Carolyn shared that while her family and her home are not “fancy,” they love sharing every bit of real life in Vicksburg, MI with their European friends – and often these “normal” experiences are far more exciting than any flashy tourist options.

Racquel absolutely agreed, even when it involved cramming in admid mayhem and dogs!

“One of my favorite memories is the yearly trip that the Kitzmillers take to Redbud, a motocross race. We took the motorhome and all of the dirt bikes there and enjoyed every moment of the experience. We all had to sleep in the motorhome with sleeping bags and with the dogs. It was tight, but we managed!”

As the Kitzmillers have discovered, student exchange presents countless opportunities to celebrate even the seemingly mundane moments of everyday life! Chatting around the dinner table, singing in the living room, going on a dirtbike ride, visiting the movies – each of these simple moments becomes amplified when shared and celebrated by an exchange student!

“I realize now that what made normal life so amazing with the Kitzmillers was that their ‘normal’ included activities like riding dirt bikes, going to the lake and wake boarding or tubing for hours, randomly singing in the middle of the hallway… their normal life was so special and fun that there was no need to travel elsewhere to have fun, you could just hang out in the barn as Brian made dinner and have just as much fun.”

In case you hadn’t noticed, the Super Bowl is kind of a big deal. (ha!) 

As a national icon of connection and camaraderie (and, oh yeah – FOOTBALL!) families across the nation gather to eat delicious snack food and critique the much anticipated commercials and halftime show.

Football fans paint their faces, don jerseys, and shout at the TV screen whenever a play gets particularly exciting. (It’s probably the one time a spectator sport involves so much exertion from its fans!!) 

This is all standard fare for an American family! But what about an international student?

For many students, football represents the epitome of American culture – which is one reason so many jump at the chance to participate!

Whether that’s joining the high school team, trying out for the cheerleading squad, or simply showing up on Friday nights to cheer on their school, connecting with “football culture” is one more way our students round out their AMERICAN experience.

And the Super Bowl is a huge part of that!

Just think about it. When else does our nation collectively consume over 1.3 billion chicken wings in a single day?!

But all joking aside, the celebrations surrounding the Super Bowl are wonderfully representative of life as an American – complete with familiar foods and jovial friendships – and as such, they draw our students even deeper into what it means to belong.

As you enjoy the Super Bowl festivities this year, imagine filling one more place on your sofa with a bright-eyed exchange student eager to take it all in.

Imagine laughing over a tray of hot wings and sharing the joy of cheesy puffs tossed into open mouths.

Imagine the giggles you’ll share when the room suddenly explodes in shouts and cheers while your poor student sits stunned, wondering what just happened! (Can you picture it?)

These slices of “normal” life, when shared with an exchange student, multiply into something so much more. Students grow and stretch and learn and adjust. After a school year spent with your family, they will never be the same again. And I’m willing to bet, after a year welcoming them into your family as one of your own – learning to see your own world with fresh eyes  – you’ll never be quite the same, either.

Next year, let’s plan on “Superbowl + 1” in your living room.

(There will certainly be enough chicken wings!)

Burnt River may have only 15 students, but this tiny western high school in Eastern Oregon has become an unlikely hub of global interaction, growth, and discovery. And since life in this small town revolves primarily around agriculture, it’s fitting that a small but vibrant FFA chapter is leading the way!

Unlike most schools, Burnt River is composed primarily of exchange students! Just 3 of the 15 students are Americans, and the other 12 come from abroad to live either in the school dorms or with a local family. And since most of the families in the community are involved in agriculture, the students become quickly inundated as well.

“Agriculture plays a huge part in their experience here, whether that’s visiting the ranches and homes during weekend homestays or just interacting with ag in the classroom,” shares Jessica Wilson, Burnt River’s FFA Advisor. “A lot of classwork is geared toward agriculture, and of course our FFA is very active. Since they can’t go out and do a lot in the town, FFA gives them a way to engage and stay busy.”

In this unique setting, with such a large percentage of exchange students, the focus naturally shifts to include world issues and concerns as well as local ones. Jessica shared that the high percentage of exchange students provides a unique benefit in this way, since Burnt River students of all backgrounds are challenged to look beyond their own backyard – whether that’s a mile away or a continent away. Even at the high school level, these students are inspired to tackle world issues while working together with other world citizens. This would be remarkable anywhere, and is particularly noteworthy in such a small town!

This year, two previous Burnt River exchange students, Tim and Gustavo, were able to showcase their investigative project on a larger scale at the National FFA Convention!

Simply qualifying for the national convention is a huge accomplishment, proving the chapter ranks among the top 12 in the entire nation!

Though these students had already completed their time in the US and had returned home, they were excited by the chance to return to the US and present their work.

“I made a deal with them,” shared Jessica, “That if they qualified, I’d help pay for the flight back to attend.”

To get to nationals, Tim and Gustavo executed a unique project that required collaboration across 13 countries in order to compare agricultural structures worldwide.

They created an agricultural test, translated it into 9 languages, and sent it to high school students in 13 different countries. After gathering the data, they were able to evaluate and rank it.  They were surprised by their findings!

“Even in a country with an extremely effective agricultural education with FFA and subjects like animal science, ag mechanics, ag business and plant science, urban areas have a huge problem,” iE exchange student Tim Barabas shared. “In our opinion, the lack of agricultural knowledge is an international problem, which can be solved even better by the cooperation of nations.”

As these students have demonstrated, the “cooperation of nations” does not need to be limited to politicians or even to adults – but can instead begin to flourish among our youth.

THIS is the power of student exchange! Exposing youth and our future leaders to other nations will better equip everyone to solve world problems and to interact on a global stage.

Jessica, who graduated from Burnt River in 2008, comes from a legacy of welcoming exchange students. Her mom hosted students on the weekends when she was younger, and she has carried on the tradition by hosting students as an adult as well.

“Exchange students benefit the entire community,” shares Jessica. “Most people have been born here and plan to continue to live here for the rest of their lives, so [exchange students] broaden everyone’s perspective a bit. They are able to learn from the exchange students and see through their eyes.”

As Burnt River is infused year after year with an ongoing rotation of young ambassadors from other countries, an interesting transformation has taken place: a town that may have been among the most homogeneous in all of America has instead become a constantly shifting mosaic of cultural diversity.

And in this environment, students are being raised up not only to engage with complex world questions, but to actually become leaders on world issues. This tiny town, potentially easy to dismiss on a map, is carving out a unique place in international influence – with student exchange as a key partner in that effort!

What might happen if a similar model was duplicated elsewhere? If a similar ideology could be replicated everywhere?! Imagine the global impact in just a few short decades!

THIS is the power of student exchange.

Join us on this life-changing journey. Learn more about our mission at ie-usa.org.

Embarking on a new adventure can feel a little daunting, and sometimes downright scary. This is true of exchange students waiting to set foot on American soil, but it can also be true of host parents, anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new family member!

Host mom Sue Cubbage had always wanted to host an exchange student, so when her friend Kathy Kendall starting working for an exchange organization, she knew she was finally ready to take the leap.

“It was a little scary since I had never done it before,” remembers Sue. “But Mrs. Kendall helped match me with Antonia from Germany, and she was a perfect fit right from the start!”

Even though Sue served as a single host parent, her involvement with her family and in her community meant that Antonia had no shortage of connections and opportunities.

“Mrs. Kendall told us to get her involved in sports so she would meet friends, and that’s exactly what we did!” remembers Sue. “She did volleyball, track, and later got involved in the theater. It’s perfect, because they make friends even before the school year starts!”

Sue quickly learned that the art of being a host parent is to support and encourage, and she loved being able to simply respond to any idea that Antonia wanted to pursue!

“She would drag me to every art gallery there was,” chuckled Sue, “and it was great! That was her interest and I loved getting to do it with her.”

As soon as Antonia was welcomed into Sue’s home, she was just as openly welcomed into the extended family. All Sue’s children live nearby, and since she regularly watched her 9 year old granddaughter after school, Imagine and Antonia became fast friends.

“They truly became like sisters,” remembers Sue.

Coordinator Kathy Kendall loved watching the connection happen between Sue and Antonia.

“It seemed to be exactly the right fit at the right time, for both of them,” recalls Kathy. “Antonia is very mature, and because Sue is so active and loves to travel, Antonia got to have some amazing experiences!”

And Sue was certainly no stranger to the role of tour guide!

“In my work with the Girl Scouts, I love to take groups to visit New York City and Washington DC – every time we visit, it’s like seeing the place through new eyes! It’s fresh to them! So of course I wanted to take Antonia too!”

Antonia got to tag along on Sue’s annual trip to Florida, and when her parents visited at the end of the program, they rented a house at Niagara Falls for a few days.

Sue shared that some of the best moments as a host parent involved simple family activities. Bonfires in the back yard, birthday parties, family dinners.

“It’s truly like gaining a new family member for life,” shares Sue. “We are in constant contact, even though she’s been home for more than a year!”

One highlight of Antonia’s experience was the ability to walk across the stage at graduation.

“Even though exchange students don’t get a diploma, the school uses this as an opportunity to recognize their completion of something big – an exchange year!”

After Antonia returned home, Sue knew she was ready to host again! She opened her home to Prisca from Germany, a younger girl who was different from Antonia in virtually every way, but who stole Sue’s heart none-the-less.

“Prisca’s big dream was to be a cheerleader!” chuckles Sue. “She wanted to live The American Dream, to see what it might be like to live out ‘A High School Musical.'”

Just as she signed up to visit countless art galleries with Antonia, Sue gladly accepted the privilege of helping Prisca discover the American Dream! Prisca WAS accepted into the cheerleading squad, and aside from learning that it was also quite a lot of work, she loved the ability to be part of that group.

“Something I’ve learned about working with teenagers is that it’s a good idea to sometimes just go with the flow – see what their ideas are, how you can support them, and see where that takes you!”

The beautiful truth illustrated by Sue’s experience is that, just as in a natural family where each member is incredibly unique in both passion and personality, each exchange student comes with a unique experience, outlook, and goals. There is no “cookie-cutter” student – which is what makes the process of getting to know them as unique individuals so rewarding!

“For me, it’s all about gaining the lifelong relationship,” shares Sue. “I could never imagine losing touch with either one of these girls! They’re a part of my family now.”

Year after year, students just like Antonia and Prisca join host parents just like Sue – each of them with unique giftings, and each of them ready to embrace a new beginning with an open heart.

Students just like Antonia and Prisca are waiting by the phone, eager to receive the phone call telling them an American host family has said “yes.” That they have been chosen, that they belong.

Would you consider opening your home to one of these beautifully unique students? Like Sue, you may be eternally grateful that you did.

Join the journey. Visit www.ie-usa.org to meet our students and get started today.

When Tina and Thomas McNeil agreed to welcome 16 year old Diego from Spain into their home, they knew it meant more than housing a guest: they were adding a member of the family!

Diego poses with host brothers Tate and Troy on a hunting trip. (He’s not too sure about the buck!)

Host brothers Tate and Troy even agreed to share a room so that Diego could have his own. They planned to add a real brother, and that’s exactly what’s happened.

“There are a few arguments, just like real brothers,” shares Tina. “When you have someone new live with you, you’re going to have challenges. Just like a married couple, or roommates.”
 

But the “real” nature of this hosting relationship is the very thing that makes it so special! “We’ve been able to open up to new opportunities,” Tina says. “There is adjustment that comes, and being flexible is key. That’s an area of growth for me.”

Diego has had to navigate his share of adjustments too, like an earlier curfew and rules governing phone use.

“I don’t think we have it all figured out,” shares Tina. “But it’s helpful to remember they’re still teenagers, with the same concerns as anyone else.”

As the McNeils and Diego continue to adjust and come together as a unit, they embody the heart of student exchange: a willingness to see through another’s eyes, to live as another lives. And in the end, everyone wins!

JANUARY – it’s 30 days packed with new resolutions, goals, dreams and commitments!

An entire month of “I’m ready!” and “this is the year!” and “let’s DO this!”

But as hasty resolutions fall by the wayside, we tend to become wiser about our Januaries. Sure, we may still commit to losing 10 pounds or exercising daily, but inside we somehow sense a more profound purpose to this yearly renewal.

We learn to go deeper and ask ourselves, “What do I TRULY want? And how can I grasp it?”

Yet the things we hope for most are often the things that can’t be quantified at all –

• more quality time with family
• great friendships
• adventure
• personal growth
• a fresh passion for daily life
• world experiences

But THESE are the things that make the rest of the year spring to life!! They’re the dividing line between surviving and thriving.

As an exchange organization, we know all about fresh starts and new beginnings. In fact, we specialize in them! And it’s precisely the above list of un-quantifiable “resolutions” that propels us forward. It inspires our students and host families to jump into thisadventure – TOGETHER. 

Just think about it! What if your family…

• bonded around a common goal
• gained a new friend (for life!)
• rediscovered the adventures within your own backyard
• learned and grew together
• saw daily life with fresh eyes
• experienced another culture

WHAT IF you gained all this and more through hosting an exchange student?

Because exchange is about PEOPLE. It’s about RELATIONSHIP. And when we connect and grow together, amazing things happen!

2018 is YOUR year. Join the journey, See where it takes you!

No matter where we come from, what we look like or what language we speak, holiday traditions are sure to take a central role in our cultural identity. That’s what’s so special about sharing life with an exchange student during this time of year! Host families and coordinators discover the joy of sharing age-old traditions. Students jump in with fresh enthusiasm. Everybody laughs and learns!

“Christmas with these kids is the most fun time of the year!” said host mom and coordinator Carolyn Kitzmiller from Michigan.

Take Santa Claus, for example! Saint Nicholas is a tradition shared among many countries, but the American spin on Santa Claus is a fun favorite of every iE student!

Exchange students near Forth Worth, TX had a ‘surfin’ Christmas party at
Costa Vida restaurant. Thanks to the vision of coordinator Angie Roye, each student also brought an item to donate to a local children’s charity!

“The party was so fun,” shares Angie, “and I love getting to know the students better!”

During the party, gifts were exchanged, and then each student got to take a picture with Surfin’ Santa!

Another American tradition loved by children and parents across the nation is the simple art of cookie decorating!

This year, iE encouraged students to practice their skills in a decorating contest! Over 50 students participated by decorating Christmas cookies OR constructing gingerbread house masterpieces. It was a big hit!

Coordinators Ann Glazener, Lisa Willbur, and Sarah Boucher each decided to run with the opportunity to help make their students’ holiday “merry and bright.” Each of these dedicated ladies hosted cookie decorating parties in their homes or in the homes of host parents. Students decorated cookies, gingerbread houses, and even made other custom baked goods!

Pictured: Margherita from Germany decorated a bell-shaped cookie!

Ann Glazener, a Local Coordinator in Texas, had her students and host families gather for a gingerbread house decorating party, cookie exchange AND sock exchange. They all loved it!

Happy Holidays!!

Local Coordinators are truly the unsung heroes of student exchange: they find host families, mentor students, and offer seamless support throughout the exchange year. The gift they give students and families during this time is priceless!

But it doesn’t end there.

Many find that they gain just as much as they give, and that working with exchange students has filled their hearts as well as their bank accounts.

Carolyn Kitzmiller has been with iE since 2010, and she has worked with and hosted many students during that time.

“I do it for the kids,” she shares. “The relationship and the culture, everything about it is so rewarding for me.”

Carolyn loves to show her students new things and to watch the joy of discovery: as they get ready for their first American prom, attend their first high school football game, accept their first invitation to a movie with friends, and even as they learn to navigate our everyday slang!

“A Thai girl that I welcomed,” remembers Carolyn, “came in the room, and I said ‘get your shoes on, we’ve gotta run to the store!’  Well, she got her tennis shoes and asked ‘how far do we have to run, miss?’ She had never heard that expression before! She thought we were going for a jog! We had such a good laugh together.”

It’s a joy to watch students grow and mature, and that’s one of Carolyn’s favorite parts of working in exchange. She shared a story of one student who struggled more than usual with spoken English, but he was quickly able to gain better fluency during his stay. Years later, when pursuing his dream job in finance, he was able to demonstrate his superior English ability and he GOT THE JOB – because his experience as an exchange student gave him a new skill that set him apart!

“It’s just the best feeling to be a part of someone’s life story,” Carolyn reflected. “In the big things and the funny little things. It shows that deep down, we’re all the same.”

And because she has lasting bonds with virtually every student she’s ever worked with, Carolyn has enjoyed many return visits as well as trips overseas to see “her kids” again.

“I’ve been all over Europe, and every time we go my kids try to come and see me – it’s the neatest thing and I always feel so special,” Carolyn remembers.

Charlene Corwin, a host family and local coordinator in Michigan, echos Carolyn’s sentiments. She feels working with exchange students is the perfect way to look outside of our own everyday “hustle and bustle.”

“All the students and families I’ve worked with have touched my life in some way,” she remembers.

“It’s given me a chance to meet new people in my local area, and watching the love and connection that grows between students and their families is just amazing!”

Charlene shares that part of her role is to help students and families work through problems and struggles along the way, and that it’d be unrealistic to expect anything less. When we’re dealing with real relationships, of course there can be adjustment, misunderstandings, etc! But the beauty in this real-life, everyday commitment is the BOND that forms – which often lasts far beyond the exchange year.

“Working as an LC is definitely the gift that keeps on giving!” shares Charlene.

“I still talk with students from previous years. They know they’re always welcome in my home for a visit and my ear is open to listen. I mean, just think about it: we’re building life long relationships with people all over the world!!”

Kathy Kendall, a retired teacher and middle school basketball coach, agrees. Kathy has a passion for her community and for youth, and it shows! She rescued an old school building and re-purposed it as a community center, a safe and encouraging place to engage kids in sports and keep them off the streets. It’s fitting, then, that her work with exchange students serves as one more way to build into the community!

Kathy knew the value of exchange from her time as a host parent and was eager to pass it along.

“When Brian [Kathy’s oldest] left for college, there was a void,” remembers Kathy. “Having exchange students during that time was exactly what my younger girls needed. But the hard part was having to send them home at the end – because they had become a part of us, and it felt like something was missing as soon as they got on that plane.”

As a local coordinator, Kathy relishes the opportunity to share the meaningful relationships exchange can offer with others in her community. And of course, like Charlene, she enjoys the relationships she forms with each and every student while they’re here.

“I feel like they’re mine,” shares Kathy, “except they just don’t sleep here!!”

Though she is a new local coordinator this year, Jennifer Glass feels the same. She has already found that her work with exchange students has more profound meaning than she initially would have guessed!

“I have met some very diverse and beautiful families,” shares Jennifer. “I have great respect for their tolerance and love of each other. That has really made an impression on me.”

Jennifer explained that her local community is very rural and “traditional,” so an influx of different cultural backgrounds (by way of exchange) is so very enriching.

“The students add SO much, and their presence truly has a ripple effect. They share, on such an intimate basis, one another’s culture. It’s a gift in so many ways!”

Jennifer realizes that her work will positively shape future generations, which is one more reason to celebrate! She cherishes the opportunity to be part of something bigger: of boosting cultural understanding, developing a level of respect across countries, and facilitating empathy and peace in a time when it’s needed more than ever.

Have YOU ever considered becoming part of something bigger?  Consider taking a step that will have a lasting impact, and giving YOURSELF the “gift that keeps on giving.” 

To learn more about becoming a local coordinator, visit iE-USA.org. 

We hear story after story of lives radically altered because of ONE simple decision: to study abroad as an exchange student. When a family opens their home to host, they’re not just welcoming a student, they’re also opening the door to endless possibilities!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, our students, both past and present, are THANKFUL. They’re thankful for the chance to “try on” a new life. They’re thankful for the warmth of family to support them in this new adventure. And for some, they’re thankful for exchange as the catalyst that would literally change EVERYTHING.

One Family

Kathi Schnedl was an exchange student during the 2015/16 school year in Oconomowoc, WI. She was kindly hosted by the Griner family who she now calls her second family!

“I was lucky to introduce my Austrian family to my American family over Christmas in 2016. Then, after my two parents basically became best friends (my moms started to combine Austrian and American cuisine) and my younger brother started annoying my host sister, I felt at home. Because no matter where, only with those two families at my side would I never be homesick.”

But the bond didn’t end there! Kathi’s “two families” met again when the Griners visited Austria, and enjoyed a third unforgettable trip to Ireland together! For Kathi as well as her Austrian and American families, the course of their future will never be the same again – because they are now woven together as one family!

New Achievements

Lena from Iceland, who was an exchange student in Michigan last year, is now attending Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan! She will be featured in ArtPrize.

Lena’s life took a path that would have never been open without the generosity of her host family, Jamie and Troy McCabe, and the graciousness of Jenison High School opening their doors to exchange students.

A Growing Family

Marylee Locey counts every day until her son Matti is home. Matti, from Austria, joined the Locey family last year as an exchange student and left May 23rd as a family member. Matti considers the Locey family home. Every morning Marylee and Matti text each other. Marylee did Matti’s college visits for him in October/November as he has decided to come to America to go to college. November 7th Marylee and Matti got matching tattoos. He was in Austria and Marylee was in Tennessee. 

The Locey family didn’t know they would be gaining a life-long family member in 2016. By saying ‘yes’ to hosting an exchange student their lives would not be the same. This year they are hosting Simon and are enjoying every minute.

The Bond Stays

Marie Lix who went on exchange in Minnesota, is a true testament to the old adage that “relationships last a lifetime.”

Marie shares,

“The school year of 2007-2008 was MY year. I got to be an exchange student and live with most amazing family anyone could ask for. The Wear’s. I had the time of my life and to this day, my American family is still my family. I love them. And miss them dearly every single day.

This was the most amazing experience yet. I just wanted to let you know… The bond stays. Even after 10 years.”

A NEW Life: College, Marriage, and US Citizenship!

Maria Weber came to the US as an exchange student for the 2009/10 school year from Germany. She stayed with the Schmale family in Albany, OR not knowing that this experience would change the path of her life! Maria returned to Oregon and married one of the students from the high school she attended as an exchange student. She graduated from Oregon State, was hired by Intel, and became a US Citizen!

How powerful is hosting an exchange student! In Maria’s case, it was LIFE-changing! The course of Maria’s future changed because the Schmale family said “yes” to hosting.

As you can see, our students have SO MUCH to be thankful for, and these are only a few examples of the life-altering adventure that is student exchange!  We hope you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family, both old and new. And as you pass the turkey among loved ones, we invite you to consider joining a journey that is as far-reaching as it is simple. Join us in this organic catalyst of relationship, adventure and change. Join us in student exchange!

The long flight from Germany is over. Henrik’s smiling host family has collected his luggage, and in the quiet of his room he unpacks old relics into his new life. But what happens next? 

We often talk about the benefit of exchange for the students. Next, we’ll talk about the benefit of exchange for the host family.

But the untold story is further-reaching and is often difficult to quantify. It’s the story of what happens when student exchange touches an entire COMMUNITY.

What Happens Next? Well, SCHOOL happens. And sports, and band practice, and homecoming. Movie tickets and coffee dates and volunteering and… LIFE.

Let’s look at Henrik, who has just stepped off that plane.

Maybe Henrik is an instant success!

Maybe his soccer skills transfer to football season beautifully, and he’s the best offensive lineman the school has ever seen, with a killer free kick to top it off. Maybe kids chant his name from the stands. His popularity makes the “in” crowd realize there’s room for everyone at the table. He’s different. He doesn’t see things the way they do, and they’re starting to realize, that’s ok. Those same kids leave high school, go to college, and there are international students there, too. They think of Henrik, and they remember that there’s room for everyone.

And thanks to Henrik, they SEE differently, they LIVE differently.

Or maybe, Henrik struggles to fit in. Maybe some kids tease him in calculus because his accent makes it tricky to say “algorithm” and “integration.”  Maybe soccer team is “too much” but chess club is “too little” and the robotics team just doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen.

But… maybe he befriends a girl named Jessica, in the next row, who has always hated calculus (her parents made her take it!) and is excited about a diversion from the same old grind.

She’s never really cared much about anything, but Henrik is at least an interesting spark in her day. He’s different. He doesn’t see things the way she does, and he doesn’t see things the way they do, either. He tells stories about Germany that makes her imagine a world far away. For the first time in her teen life, Jessica imagines adventures outside these school walls. She envisions a purpose and a passion she didn’t know was inside her.

And there are other “maybes,” too…

Maybe a burned out teacher finds new life in her WWII discussion now that there’s a German student sitting in the front row.

Maybe a stressed out mom finally feels she’s “winning” at this family thing – because even their messy “normal” brings a huge smile to their Italian students’ face.

Maybe the student body elects an exchange student as the homecoming queen – celebrating new faces, embracing different ideas and backgrounds.

(Don’t you think those students will remember the year they had a homecoming queen from Switzerland?!)

Maybe a European student wows his peers in physics class as he shares about his country’s advances in renewable energy. (And maybe it sparks some discussion about where we’re going in this country, too!)

Maybe someone’s elderly grandmother has received a nursing home visit from a chipper Spanish student on a mission to volunteer in his new home town.

Maybe the Habitat for Humanity, Hurricane Relief, and the local food banks see an influx of new faces lending a helping hand. New helpers who came to LEARN and to grow – outsiders, in fact – who know at such a young age that we’re all in this TOGETHER. So, they’re choosing to give back.

THESE MAYBES are the essence of international exchange, and why we celebrate the importance of international education. It’s SO MUCH MORE than academics – it’s life-changing, and it’s far-reaching.

Find out more by visiting www.ie-usa.org