Volunteering not only allows students to give back to their community, but it also provides them a chance to learn more about American culture, build friendships, and develop a sense of empathy and social responsibility. From cleaning school buses to helping non-profit thrift stores and sorting shoes for children in need, volunteering gives the opportunity …
Meet Julie, one of our amazing International Coordinators from Nebraska! She first got involved after answering an ad to supervise a student and has been dedicated ever since. Over the years, Julie has gained new perspectives, made countless memories, and grown her circle of friends while becoming a part of the Aspect family. Her passion …
Are you enjoying retirement? Consider hosting an Aspect student! Today we hear from Sheri and Frank, who opened their home to exchange students from all over the world and tell us how it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience. Over the years, they’ve hosted 10 students and just welcomed two more this school year! If you’re …
By opening your home to an exchange student, you’re not just gaining a new family member – you’re welcoming a whole new world of experiences! Brazil is known for its warm and loving culture, unique customs, delicious cuisine, and so much more! You’ll have the opportunity to share your own traditions and learn about theirs, …
Hosting can be a great experience each and every time! We recently spoke with two wonderful host families from Utah to learn why they chose to host again. Host mom Danielle shared the experience of hosting Diego from Spain, highlighting the energy and joy he brought into their lives. Host mom Whitney talked about the …
Today, we had the wonderful opportunity to hear from Heather, who shares the joy that she, her wife Beth, and their children have experienced in hosting an exchange student! After coming across the profile of Wencke from the Netherlands on the Aspect website, they were excited to make her part of their family for the …
It’s truly incredible how swiftly time has passed. It seems like just yesterday when our 2023/24 students first set foot in their American host families’ homes, filled with anticipation and excitement for the experiences that lay ahead. Now, as they find themselves more than halfway through their American adventure, we took the opportunity to ask …
As February kicks off, we’re thrilled to feature Constance from Ghana for our student spotlight! Constance is currently spending the 2023/24 school year in Utah, with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State! Constance tells us how she competed for the opportunity to come to the United States and live …
For this week’s Thank You Thursday, we continue to share the heartfelt thank you notes from our 2023/24 Aspect students as they convey their appreciation to their American host families for welcoming them to their homes and hearts. Mandy from the Netherlands expresses her gratitude for her unforgettable year, while Patricia from Moldova, who is …
Meet Sherri from Texas, a remarkable host mom whose warm and welcoming nature has brought countless students from around the world into her family’s home. Not only has Sherri and her family hosted over 20 students, but she has also dedicated 15 years to serving as an Aspect Manager and International Coordinator! One of the …
Meet one of our International Coordinators, Brittani from Texas! After her family hosted their first exchange student during the previous 2022/23 school year, Brittani joined the Aspect team as an International Coordinator in early 2023. Since then, she has been doing an outstanding job supervising 16 students. In addition to her role as an International …
The holiday season brings a special kind of magic for our 2025-26 exchange students! Our fantastic International Coordinators share just how much the students are enjoying the season across the U.S. From decorating gingerbread houses to sharing favorite dishes from home, students are celebrating familiar holidays in new ways while adding their own cultural touches, … Continue reading
This festive season, we’re shining the spotlight on Jacobo from Spain! Spending his 2025–26 school year in Nebraska, he’s discovering new traditions and cherishing every moment. From the very first day, his host family made him feel like a true part of the family, turning every moment into a lasting memory! What motivated you to … Continue reading
This holiday season, we’re kicking off our first Thank You Thursday of the school year by sharing a letter written by Gulzhan from Kazakhstan with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State. Gulzhan, who is spending the 2025–26 school year in Texas, shares how grateful she is for her host family, who … Continue reading
Thank you to all of our students who submitted entries in our 2025 International Education Scavenger Hunt! It was a VERY close competition, but what matters most is the international education you all helped spread and the passion you shared for cultural youth exchange. Well done! Below are the winners who went above and beyond. … Continue reading
Thanksgiving is always a fun and meaningful time for our exchange students. They enjoy experiencing and learning about an American holiday, trying new traditions, and spending time with their host families, other students, and their International Coordinators. Many even shared a bit of their own culture by making dishes from home! Here’s a look at … Continue reading
International Coordinator and host mom Becky from Utah recently traveled to Brazil at the invitation of a former exchange student she supervised during the 2024-25 school year. In this blog post, she reflects on the laughter, surprises, and moments that reminded her why supervising students can create connections that last a lifetime. An amazing thing … Continue reading
For our first student spotlight of the 2025-26 school year, we’re excited to introduce Domingos from Mozambique! He’s spending the school year in Texas with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State! From the moment he arrived, Domingos has been excited to explore new customs, food, and ways of life. … Continue reading
Sometimes the perfect match comes when no one’s expecting it. Team Manager Sherri shared how Kim and Levin in Texas decided not to host this year, until she discovered Lucas from Brazil, a student whose dream was a perfect fit for their family. As Sherri tells us, “This is a story of love, a family … Continue reading
Halloween is always a special time for Aspect students, host families, and International Coordinators. From carving pumpkins and exploring corn mazes to trick-or-treating and braving haunted hayrides, our 2025–26 students got to experience one of America’s most beloved traditions. In this recap, we celebrate the joy that hosting exchange students brings and the memories that … Continue reading
Shannon joined Aspect in 2015 and has made an incredible difference as a Team Manager, International Coordinator, and host mom. Shannon and her family have welcomed students into their home with kindness and care, creating memories they’ll cherish forever while offering steady guidance and support. Here’s what some of her students had to say about … Continue reading