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 …
Can an empty-nest couple have an amazing experience hosting an exchange student? Absolutely! Host dad Ken from Nebraska and his wife, Jeannie, welcomed Daniela from Latvia into their home during the 2025-26 school year with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Ken shares what hosting meant to them and … Continue reading
What can a school year as an exchange student teach you? Today, we hear from Suvd from Mongolia, who spent the 2025–26 school year in Texas with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State. From navigating a new school to experiencing everyday life in America, Suvd reflects on a year full of … Continue reading
In 2012, Sherri and Brian welcomed Thomas from Norway into their family as an exchange student. Fourteen years later, they were together again in Texas, this time with Thomas’s wife, Lilja, and their son, Gabriel. Their reunion was a sweet reminder that the relationships formed through hosting can last for years and become a forever … Continue reading
Few moments compare to the excited, anxious, joyful feeling of when our exchange students step off the plane and meet the people they’ll begin to call family! Being welcomed by warm, heartfelt and even silly signs eases the tension and allows the first words and hugs to be exchanged. Even after hours of travel, those … Continue reading
The first days of hosting are already full of new experiences for host families and exchange students. Host mom Falguni shares a glimpse into her family’s experience hosting Clara from Germany for the 2026-27 school year, from trying new snacks and exploring the community to getting ready for the first day of school. It’s just … Continue reading
Today, we hear from host mom Jessica from Washington State, who, along with her family, welcomed Augustina from Ghana into their home for the 2025-26 school year. Jessica shares how hosting an exchange student was a wonderful fit for their family, what her younger children gained from the experience, and how Augustina brought something new … Continue reading
Last chance to be a part of our Annual Photo and Video Contest! 📸 Submissions will close on Monday, September 28th at 11:59 pm. If you haven’t already, here is how you can submit a photo or video: woobox.com/5q6cmu Good luck, and share with family and friends to gather the most votes! 🗳️ Are you interested … Continue reading
What happens when you open your home to a teenager from another country? You get a front-row seat to a year filled with new experiences, fresh perspectives, and plenty of stories to share! Today, host mom Amanda from Oregon shares what it was like to welcome Christian from Italy into her home with her husband, … Continue reading
Many families with young children wonder if they can truly provide the right experience for a teenage exchange student, but host parents Chris and Silvia knew that their little ones could make hosting even more meaningful! During the 2025-26 school year, they welcomed Hana from Japan into their home in Arizona and quickly saw their … Continue reading
The first smiles, hugs, and “welcome home” moments are happening! As students arrive and settle in with their host families, these first memories are ones worth celebrating and sharing! Have you snapped a photo or video of your student’s arrival? Don’t forget to submit it to our contest for a chance to win prizes. The … Continue reading