Stine from Norway on a trip to Hawaii.

Aspect Foundation’s inbox is flooded with notes from students expressing their gratitude for the experience they have had on student exchange. On Thursdays, we post one of these notes, sharing the “warm fuzzies” with all of you!

Today’s Thank You Thursday features Stine from Norway, who expresses her thanks for her year abroad in Florida.

Thank you to everyone that has been a part of my exchange year here in Florida. There is not a single person of those I see almost every day that has not mattered. We might have one class together and not ever talk, but you have still been there and been one of the people that has shaped my experience to what it has been. Also all of my teachers has been fabulous. Introducing new ways of learning to me and treating me like any other student. Because when I sit behind Jordan, taking my sociology test; then i’m not “foreign exchange student Stine”. When I am sitting there taking that test, I am just the student Stine. Nothing different, nothing special. I am on the equal ground as everyone else. taking that test. And all the students and teachers in my classes have let me have that. You all have been a part of letting me blend in with the rest, which have sometimes been all I have wanted. I appreciate every single person who have every said a word to me, because they never had to. I never forced anyone to be my friend or to be nice to me, they just did. And that to me is important to appreciate.

-Stine from Norway, in Florida

Interested in sharing YOUR corner of the world with an international exchange student? Learn more about becoming a host family at: http://aspectfoundation.org/host-families.

A few of Stine’s favorite photos from the year.